Saturday, May 28, 2011

FOUNDRY GALLERY: "At First Brush" - Judy Gilbert Levey


"At First Brush" is Judy Gilbert Levey's show of vivid oil paintings including plein air landscapes, portraits and still lifes. In all her work, Judy expresses her first impression of the subject and works with speed and energy to keep that moment of reaction alive in her work. "If I'm painting something that's moving, I want my paint and brush to show it. When I paint outdoors, the light is always changing but you'll know where the sun was -- or if it was under a cloud -- when I tackled the painting."


Her heightened sense of color comes from the recognition that her eyes will catch, in a glance, a sharp accent of color that she'll work to retain in her paintings. Her colors can be thickly applied with a big brush or thinly washed over a canvas, depending on how intensely a part of the work is seen.

Judy's work was first established with her landscape paintings, which she gravitated toward for the experience of painting outdoors. Her winter-time studio work has taken on a greater importance in her work, as she's become interested in exploring meaning in faces and objects. "In the past few years, I've spent a lot of time at the National Portrait Gallery and given thought to what portraits mean to the sitter and to the artist. Many times in my past work, a painting will avoid using a face to create an 'everyman' sense to a work; for a change, I wanted these portraits to express the individuality of the subject."

Among her unusual works, she's painted a wall mural in a Bethesda park and a terrapin sculpture for the University of Maryland's Fear the Turtle campaign. Her work has been shown at the Yellow Barn Gallery in both solo and group shows. She's also shown her work at the Orchard Gallery in Bethesda and in group shows with the Montgomery Plein Air Artists. Judy is co-President of the Foundry Gallery.

Friday, May 27, 2011

Studio Gallery Intern Review


“The Center of the Universe” by Andrew Acquadro is a representation of one of the most famous places in the world: New York City. The mixed media painting is abstract and includes popular symbols that portray the Big Apple. Tall magenta buildings arise in the background while a bridge leading into the city sits in the foreground. The light-up cross walk symbol is humorously placed too, next to road signs and billboards. A heart for the “I love New York” tourists sits at the bottom of the bridge. The bold color palette is fitting for the lively and extraordinary place. The smells and the sounds of the city practically erupt from the painting, transporting the viewer right in the heart of New York.

Sarah Botzer
Pratt Institute 2015

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Studio Gallery Intern Review


The hustle and bustle of the city can be heard in the oil painting “Window on Dupont” by Carol Rubin. The rustic colors are appropriate for depicting the architecture of the nation's capital. Washington D.C. is realistically represented in this beautiful birds eye view. The copper and slate tones of the painting add to the overall composition. The geometric shapes are magically transformed into historical buildings and charming streets. Rubin truly is talented in creating a overhead shot of an important city.

Sarah Botzer
Pratt Institute 2015

Studio Gallery Guest Review


Projecting into the room with a subtle streak of soft impressionism, the oil painting entitled "Wild Cherry I" provides the appreciative viewer with a stimulating simulation of a beautiful nature scene. The viewer can easily grasp the movement of light pink petals that stretch diagonally across the canvas, but it is the opposing corners that compliment the attention-grabbing center. As the arrow of flowers widens, the activity in the painting goes through stages of expression that convey an unspecific, yet realistic picture of a cherry tree. To the right the colors move rapidly, as if with wind, into a descending darkness that fades into what can be perceived as a shadowed background, and to the left the shades shift lighter and lighter, mimicking the sunlight on the top of the tree until the gradient gives way to a white and shining sky. Carol Rubin's "Wild Cherry I" stands like a true cherry tree, solid and scintillating with the touch of a natural artist.


Joey Jenkins
Catonsville Maryland
2013

Studio Gallery Intern Review


Eva Marie Ruhl's oil on canvas piece “Leave the Dancing to Me” is part of an amazing triptych arrangement. The way she contrasts the foreground against the background greatly emphasizes the bold and bright hues of the petals. The values of orange, red, and pink blend beautifully while creating a form with shadows to express the realism of the piece. The lines created by the petals guide you throughout the piece in a circle until you reach the top again, it is a never ending cycle of beauty. The title of the triptych is perfect for this piece because the petals appear to be turning and twisting as if they are in a continuous waltz with one another. This painting boldly stands out in a room full of art because of the striking realism and how the background does not distract the viewer from the lovely petals.

Asia Reynolds
Montgomery Blair High School
2011

Opening Recetpion Gallery A, Friday June 3, 6:00-8:30 p.m.

Gallery A 2106 R Street, NW Washington, DC 20008 202/667-2599

www.alexgalleries.com

Please Join
Us Friday June 3, 6:00 - 8:30 p.m. for the opening of
MARIA SIMONSSON "Textile Vessels and Tactile Figures"













Maria Simonsson defies many of the western norms of art. Her medium is unusual and unpredictable but she produces grand works of art. Maria creates sculpture from wire, wire mesh, layers of fabric and her own intricate needlework.

" The challenge is to create things with textiles that you don't expect to be made of fabric," Simonsson says.

Maria draws inspiration from all over the world, her native Sweden as well as Africa. Maria's interest in other cultures is particularly apparent in this exhibit.

Maria is in a class of artist all her own. Drawing inspiration from around the world and breaking down walls to create art that is groundbreaking yet accessible.

Please join us for the opening of this wonderful exhibit, June 3, 6:00-8:30 p.m.

Textile Vessels and Tactile Figures, June 3-30,2011

Gallery A
2106 R Street, NW
Washington, DC 20008
202/667-2599
www.alexgalleries.com

Thursday, May 19, 2011

studio Gallery Intern Review


Angelika Wamsler's piece “Phoenix” is exquisite and powerful. The acrylic, ink, charcoal, and pencil art features a bright red phoenix flying up towards a misty and vibrant sky. The legendary and magnificent bird is expertly depicted in this work of art. There is movement in the phoenix's wings and
boldness in how the phoenix seems to lift itself higher towards the sky. The brilliant red and oranges of the bird stands out against the mystical sky. The soft lines of the colorful wind, the delicacy of the green leaves, and the intricate patterns of the snowflakes all generate magic to the piece. The colors in the piece are beautiful and create add both intense and wispy motion to the piece. “Phoenix” is very dramatic and enchanting.

Sarah Botzer
Montgomery Blair High School 2011

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Artist Reception at Studio Gallery Sat May 14


The Studio Gallery 2108 R Street NW Dupont Circle 202.232.8734
www.studiogallerydc.com Gallery Hours ; Wed-Thurs 1-7, Fri 1-8, Sat
1-6 and Sundays by appointment. Opening April 27-May 21, 2011 First
Friday Reception May 6 6-8 p.m. Artist's Reception May 14 4-6 pm
Solo Show: Jacqui Crocetta "Protect. Nurture. Release" Ms. Crocetta
in her first solo show at Studio Gallery examines the intense nature
of mothering--the protecting, nurturing and releasing of children as
they move from total dependence toward independence. The struggle
between opposing forces and an ever-changing shift in roles, is what
shapes the complex mother-child dynamic.
Duo Show: Angelika Wamsler "A Flow of Different Light and Deep" and
Suzanne Yurdin "New Abstract Work". Ms. Wamsler continues with her
explorations of abstract organic forms that evoke magical worlds of
land, sea and mythology. Ms Yurdin uses the power of abstraction to
evoke landscapes in a variety of beautiful palettes.


Studio Gallery shows the works of guest and emerging artists each
month in their upstairs Betsy Ross Gallery as well as the work of
Member artists. We also feature unique outdoor sculpture in our
garden. Studio Gallery is located in a beautiful brownstone in
historic Dupont Circle and is available for parties, meeting and
receptions.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Studio Gallery's First Friday


Please join us for our First Friday Reception Friday May 6...6-8 p.m.
The Studio Gallery 2108 R Street NW Dupont Circle 202.232.8734
www.studiogallerydc.com Gallery Hours ; Wed-Thurs 1-7, Fri 1-8, Sat
1-6 and Sundays by appointment. Opening April 27-May 21, 2011 First
Friday Reception May 6 6-8 p.m. Artist's Reception May 14 4-6 pm
Solo Show: Jacqui Crocetta "Protect. Nurture. Release" Ms. Crocetta
in her first solo show at Studio Gallery examines the intense nature
of mothering--the protecting, nurturing and releasing of children as
they move from total dependence toward independence. The struggle
between opposing forces and an ever-changing shift in roles, is what
shapes the complex mother-child dynamic.
Duo Show: Angelika Wamsler "A Flow of Different Light and Deep" and
Suzanne Yurdin "New Abstract Work". Ms. Wamsler continues with her
explorations of abstract organic forms that evoke magical worlds of
land, sea and mythology. Ms Yurdin uses the power of abstraction to
evoke landscapes in a variety of beautiful palettes.


Studio Gallery shows the works of guest and emerging artists each
month in their upstairs Betsy Ross Gallery as well as the work of
Member artists. We also feature unique outdoor sculpture in our
garden. Studio Gallery is located in a beautiful brownstone in
historic Dupont Circle and is available for parties, meeting and
receptions.