A Colorful Visual Conversation Opens At The Alleghany Highlands Arts & Craft Center in Clifton Forge
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Picture three artists, who are also friends, each intrigued by color, fascinated by shape and pattern, but working in slightly different ways that creates a connection where images and ideas bounce off one another—then each artist steps back into her own studio. This is the premise of Visual Conversation, the new exhibit just opened at the Alleghany Highlands Arts and Crafts Center in Clifton Forge, VA. Located at 439 E Ridgeway Street, Clifton Forge VA, admission to the Center is always free; hours are from 10-4:30 Tuesdays through Saturdays. Visual Conversations is a way for these artists to share with one another and the public while still maintaining independent thought and stylistic differences. One artist is a painter/sculptor, one makes mixed media collages and one works with both paper and paint in grid-based patterns. Often the three artists share a sly joke or two along the way.
Mary Boxley Bullington energizes her surfaces with lines and symbols using torn and cut shapes, often with carefully planned white edges, to tell stories, sometimes ancient ones, sometimes made up.“Jewel colors, tactile surfaces , and a strong sense of line and balance are the basis for both the abstract and figurative works. Layering plays a key role. I like to mix media to vary effects and textures for a richer surface. I often work with abstract patterns and structures to create a sense of light and air and movement.
“Paper is my favorite support, partly because I like to keep open the option of cutting up a work and recreating it as a collage. Most often, when I start a new piece, it pleases me to paint freely on paper or wood and watch what happens. Other times a piece begins with an idea or a story. As I paint, draw, and scribble, I pay close attention while keeping an open mind, so I can see what is happening, both in terms of the colors and rhythms and movement of the piece—its overall unity and beauty. Sometimes it becomes a narrative, like the “Dawn of the Automobile;” sometimes it’s just the story of dancing shapes, lines and hues. The magic of color is almost always a central theme. How do I do this? I’m not sure. But if I’m patient and faithful, the hours spent in the studio eventually seem to work their magic.
Barbara Norman Lashley’s large images are often made from small components. For the most part, these works are tightly controlled, but sometimes there is a surprise “inside.” Her use of repetition and pattern lends a sense of meditative serenity. Sometimes I work very experimentally. At times I grow new work from old, quite literally as I recycle parts of an earlier piece into something very different. I like the seemingly simple design of Asian art and am particularly attracted to Islamic tile work. I suppose that is where the repetition takes over.”
“I have been fortunate to visit about 40 countries; in each I try to visit the major museums to learn more about the people, their art and way of life. As a result I have become increasingly interested in artists who use found materials with an Oriental aesthetic. In Zen, the work is temporal, not always meant to last forever. Mistakes are treasured parts of the work and therefore become important. I have leaned not to throw mistakes away. I make collage material from them, which takes the creative process a step further. The methods are endless; the process is exciting. My work is process, not product oriented
Roberta McGuire often reduces her surface to two elements—color and shape, adding a third when she turns to sculpture. Her works look simpler to begin with but they also offer surfaces that are full of vibrant color. Along with Bullington and Lashley, McGuire is a participating member of the Market Gallery in Roanoke, where her subject matter ranges from landscapes to abstract images.
“The elements in art that interest me most are color and shape. That is what draws me to any work of art. Color and shape are the tools I use most whether I am expressing an abstract idea, painting a landscape, or connecting to another artist’s work. Along with the landscape, my inspiration comes from my thoughts and feelings and from words and phrases. I am also inspired by seeing how other artists express themselves in unusual and creative ways. Authentic and creative self expression is a constant goal of mine.”
McGuire has worked, studied, and experimented in all types of media for more than 25 years; some of her latest works use painted aluminum, becoming as much about form as shape and definitely three dimensional. “I’m finding that acrylic paint on aluminum is the best way for me to make my ideas work on many new pieces. It can be a challenge, but aluminum siding is a good weight for me because I can bend it without specialized tools, it cuts with ordinary sewing scissors and it takes paint well. It also works particularly well for use with collage techniques, as in “The Funnies.”
If you want to re energized or need a color boost during these winter weeks, check out this exhibit. It will be up through March 3. The artists have plenty of ideas and images to keep visitors attention on return visits-come see what visual cross-talk YOU can find! The Alleghany Highlands Arts and Crafts Center is supported by its members, contributors, the Town of Clifton Forge, the City of Covington, the County of Alleghany, The Alleghany Foundation, the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. For more information call (540) 862-4447 or find and like us on Facebook.
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The sweet gift that always Fits! WIN THIS $100 gift certificate.
Not sure what to do for those post Christmas gifts lurking out there? Solve the problem with tickets for a $100 gift certificate at the Alleghany Highlands Arts and Crafts Center. Tickets are $1 each or buy a book of 6 tickets for only $5. Then bring your favorite person to the Annual Chocolate Festival on April 14 at Dabney S. L Lancaster Community College, when we will announce the lucky recipient. Proceeds benefit the Arts and Crafts Center.
Either way, you’re a Winner- and so are they! | | | | | |
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