Two painters, two generations, two women portray powerful relationships
next at Gallery Ten
Barbara Grant's reflections on "Quiet Interference"
- Jennifer Lee's emerging vision
June 6, 2006
by Steve Kastner
GILLS ROCK, WI - When
the late Susan Scully, an artist and dear friend of Whitewater painter Barbara Grant and Gallery Ten owner, Charlene
Berg unexpectedly passed away, a phrase she once uttered took on greater meaning. "Quiet Interference"
was initially explored by Grant who began to decrypt its meaning through a series of paintings. Charlene Berg proposed
to exhibit the resultant effort in a show dedicated to the memory of their mutual friend.
"This artistic journey began during a vacation to the California vineyards and coastal areas with my husband,"
says Grant. "Our photographs allowed me to plot out landscapes on canvas - a sort of open venue for discovering
the meaning of 'quiet interference.'"
Grant had been shopping for a book on angels for Susan's 50th birthday when word came of her sudden illness and
rather swift passing. Shock and grief now pushed her to reflect on the meaning of "quiet interference"
with a much higher intensity.
"I began to understand it as another plane or atmosphere," she explains, "sort of like the heavens
surrounding us. I positioned a figure within the landscapes to represent an awareness of a loving force of energy
that we cannot see; incorporating telephone poles and their lines, power lines, and fence posts to symbolize connectivity
to this other plane. I placed road signs and lane dividers to impart a yearning for divine direction."
Many more changes took place on her path to completion. For a time she
struggled, unable to proceed.
"I was thankful the day I felt the urge to introduce more color and create textures to portray vibrations
of energy on the canvas," Barbara Grant reveals. "I felt moved to complete the work and quietly continue
the journey down life's uncertain paths."
The Peninsula Art School recently honored young painter Jennifer Lee in 2006 as one of the year's four Emerging
Artists. Her love of painting began not long ago, almost by accident, sketching while she talked on the phone.
For the following six years she continued to make progress in developing a unique and intuitive style.
"A great deal of my work depicts women with large bodies and even
larger personalities," she jokes. "I am inspired by wit, courage and resilience of spirit that, to me,
embody womanhood. I feel that this body of work is an invitation to share my love for painting and to celebrate
bold colors and bold women."
Jennifer Lee recently discovered mono-printing and explains, "This is a great new way for me to create my
smaller pieces. Each one begins with a plate that is carved, painted and printed. Then each print is repainted
and styled, making each piece unique and distinctive."
You are encouraged to enjoy the work of both artists featured at Gallery Ten in Gills Rock through July 14. They
will both be present at the gallery for a reception in their honor on Saturday,
June 10 from 5 - 7 PM. Meet them in person to find out more about
how these women use their artistic vision to reflect on the world around them.
Charlene's Gallery Ten represents over 100 artists in
a gallery collection that is contemporary, original and eclectic. GT Coffee, complements the gallery, serving espresso
drinks and Door County cherry pie by-the-slice daily from 8 AM to 5 PM. The gallery is open daily from 10 AM to
5 PM at 12625 Hwy. 42 in Gills Rock, Wisconsin. Telephone 920.854.9907 for further information or visit on-line
at www.GalleryTen.com.
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