(Martha’s Vineyard)  Louisa Gould Gallery is pleased to announce the exhibit, “Nature's Elements” featuring new works by Christopher Pendergast, Maya Farber, Ron Sievertson, and Jeanne Campbell.  The exhibit opens on June 28th and runs through July 19th.  The opening reception takes place on Saturday, July 2nd from 5 – 7 pm (4th of July weekend).  Please stop by the opening to meet the artists, enjoy light refreshments and listen to live music by Wes Nagy.
 
This exhibition displays each artist’s unique interpretations of the “land” or “sea” through various media – oils, acrylics, glass and photography.  Three artists, Chris Pendergast, Maya Farber and Jeanne Campbell, with strong ties to the Vineyard return for this show and are joined by Ron Sievertson, a glass artist whom Louisa met while travelling in Bali this past winter. These artists clearly possess a love of nature and capture their affinity masterfully in their medium.

Chris Pendergast’s new body of work is a series of waves painted both in a traditional manner of oils on canvas played off of other works utilizing a new technique where Chris burns a drawing into a wooden panel, pours epoxy on top, sands it and then paints on top of the epoxy creating a rich and textural surface.  As he describes the work, “they are clearly representational paintings” but “seem more abstract” and are “impressions of moments within waves.”  Using his classical training from abroad and at the School of Art Institute of Chicago plus his use of photographs as a basis for his work, Chris explores these waves in an edgy, contemporary and very exciting way. 

Maya Farber has once again captured the sheer and simple beauty of landscapes and florals in her new works.  Born in Romania, Maya has lived, travelled and exhibited extensively.  Maya studied at Pratt Institute in New York City, at Hans Hoffman School and at the Art Students League in New York, which clearly influenced her work.  Maya’s studio is located in New York but she visits the Vineyard often to see family as well as exhibit her paintings, in which she “paints what I feel.”  The lush and detailed landscapes of scenes from Romania and upstate New York as well as her intense, brightly colored florals where she incorporates gold leaf will delight all viewers.

Ron Sievertson, an American hot glass artist living in Bali, has created dynamic and extraordinary pieces in glass.  As Ron describes his inspiration, he wanted “to represent endangered species of New England and the North Atlantic.”  After being injured while working as a carpenter and in construction, Ron channeled his creative talent, trained at Pilchuck Glass School and other glass studios in Seattle, Washington and in Melbourne, Australia, opened a hot glass studio in 2004 in Bali, and began training his shop and blowing glass daily.  His style and technique is truly cutting edge and he produces pieces, which are visually captivating and unique. 

Jeanne Campbell, a celebrated and well travelled photographer, shares her photographs from Nevis taken this past winter and Iceland taken in late May.  Nevis is located in the Caribbean Sea and as Jeanne tells “has ruins of plantations owned by familiar Vineyard names, Pinney and Cottle.” Her photographs of Nevis “capture the color of bygone times and life today on this small land of volcanic mountains and sandy beaches.”  Jeanne’s photographs display her love of photography as she captures flowers and nature in a clear, crisp and pristine manner with sharp details.  Her images of Iceland will be equally impressive!

We look forward to seeing you Saturday July 2, from 5 to 7pm for the opening of "Nature's Elements". The Louisa Gould Gallery is located at 54 Main Street, Vineyard Haven. For more information or directions, please call (508) 693.7373 or  check our website at www.louisagould.com.