Flatrocks Gallery’s May7-June 7 show, ‘Blooming’– features paintings by Claudia Kaufman, Rokhaya Waring, Patricia Crotty and Laurel Hughes, photographs by Paul Cary Goldberg, stainless steel sculpture by Gints Grinsbergs. This survey will lead the viewer on a journey from photo realism, to abstract art. Using flowers as the subject, they take on new identities as characters in a metaphorical journey.
Claudia Kaufman’s is a contemporary realist painter, her works are studies in observation – still life set-ups of familiar objects that are deceptively simple, yet complex. She challenges herself to translate the perceived three-dimensional world to a 2D field by observing and capturing the conditions of light, form, color and space through the painterly properties of oil paint.
Rokhaya Waring paints in the spirit of Impressionism and Plein Air painting, with its constant change in light, color and mood, are a natural extension of her sensibilities and lend vibrancy to her work. She conveys through her paintings a feeling of being there, the power of nature- a transient beauty that is often bittersweet.
Patricia Crotty’s paintings explore the territory between abstraction and realism with bold gestural brushwork and a sureness of line and color. When her subject is flowers, she “tries to capture their fleeting beauty and catch a glimpse of the eternal in their brief life, to see the universal in their particular forms.”
Laurel Hughes is an abstract painter, drawing on quiet moments in nature, her paintings grow out of thoughtful observation, sensations and split second glimpses. She is perpetually drawn to ideas and practices that help ‘re-seed our earth.’ —planting seeds of compassion, joy, and gratitude so that we touch the earth and stir her wonder.
Paul Cary Goldberg has established a reputation photographing our local industry and culture with a keen eye that transcends documentation, with painterly results. Last year he returned to his studio and the still life. His images are layered with rich texture, color and symbol – contemporary versions of still-life painting of the 17th-century Dutch genre containing symbols of change as a reminder of its inevitability.
Gints Grinsbergs’ creates welded stainless steel over sized flowers that maintain their delicate grace. The sculptures indoors or out combine modern metal structure with rough, natural stone making these works unique sculptural forms.
There will be a reception for the artists May 16th from 6-8pm. ‘Blooming’ runs through June 7th. Flatrocks Gallery is open Thursday – Sunday 12-5pm. 77 Langsford St. , Gloucester. (978)879-4683. www.flatrocksgallery.com or visit us on facebook.
Good Morning Gloucester 