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Flowers in February

January 31, 2007- February 24, 2007

Reception: February 3, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Kathy Anderson, Lisa Caballero, Sheila Cantrell, James Cramer, Curtis Kelly, Glenn Kessler, Janet Laird-Lagassee, Nancy Bea Miller, Cora Ogden, Jeanne Rovegno, Michael Schweigart, Mark Zunino

Sherry French Gallery

601 W 26th St

As soon as man was civilized enough to appreciate the aesthetic beauty around him, he became aware of the brilliant, dramatic beauty of nature's flourishing buds. In addition to their mere visual beauty, flowers take on symbolic qualities and meanings. Daisies symbolize innocence, sweet pea's tenderness, and magnolia's fortitude, to name only a few. They can symbolize anything from vitality to death, purity to love. Flowers can also have religious ties, such as biblical lilies. Their scents and physical qualities, such as thorns and colors, have led to their association with a wide variety of meanings. Although universal, the power of flowers in today's landscape has become personal. Many people attach their own individual meanings to these blooms. The mere color or scent may remind them of a special memory, event, or person in their own lives. This versatility in meaning, combined with their vivacious beauty, leads to their successful transformation in paint and brush. In this sense, flowers have a language all their own. Each carries a verbal message, while bouquets can communicate an entire statement.

The artists included in the "Flowers in February" show at the Sherry French Gallery—January 31 – February 24--understand this language and have composed such messages through color, detail and the expressive quality of nature's blossoms. This year's participating representational artists include Kathy Anderson, Sheila Cantrell, James Cramer, Jacqueline Gnott, Curtis Kelly, Glenn Kessler, Janet Laird-Lagassee, Nancy Bea Miller, Cora Ogden, Jeanne Rovegno, Michael Schweigart and Mark Zunino.

Participating as a returning artist in the show will be the spectacular still life paintings of Curtis Kelly. Kelly paints directly from life paying close attention to the color and patterns in the set-ups that she creates. It is through this method that Kelly evokes the senses. “I love the effect of flowers in a still life painting; they brighten up a canvas just as they brighten up a room. They bring vitality and vibrancy into play. Painting a flower is like contemplating nature; it is food for the spirit,” she says in anticipation for the upcoming show. The still-life flowers in Kelly’s paintings are as always a treat for her audience as her color combinations are as moving as they are refreshing. Kelly is both adventuresome and free-spirited, qualities that the greatest of artists possess and that strongly echo through in her paintings.

Whether in the studio or in the garden, the paintings created by artist Kathy Anderson are true to life. As an avid gardener and artist, Anderson's painting combine her two passions, creating masterpieces of floral arrangements and garden settings that have no equal. Anderson's work appears natural to the extent that it has the ability to remind the viewer of a beauty that can thrive without human existence. In other paintings, Anderson shows us the quiet stillness of flowers contrasted by a wonderful backdrop or simple yet charming vase. In any fashion, Anderson is able to remind us of the simple pleasure of life and the natural beauty of flowers that we often for get about during the long winter months.

Another artist participating in the show is Mark Zunino. Zunino is known for his realistic still life paintings. Though a still life painter, Zunino has an ability to make the most ordinary of flowers and objects timeless and come to life on the canvas. Zunino finds harmony among the relationship between objects and the spaces they occupy, making his paintings all the more enjoyable for the viewer. Zunino chooses his subject matter based on colors and shapes and the interplay is the resulting composition. Zunino begins his paintings with the objects in mind and then he lets his artistry take over and the result is the end product. All of the objects are true to their origin, but as Zunino says, "My work always evolves from one sitting to the next. I may start with flowers and pots and end with a painting o fruit in a room."

Whatever sentiment or symbolism they may represent, flowers are treasured objects in society today. These artists highlight the inherent beauty found in the world around us, bringing color and warmth to the chilly, dreary month of February.

For further information please contact Sherry French.

Books and DVDs related to artists in this show

Location   Gallery Sherry French Gallery Address 601 W 26th St, 13th Fl New York (Chelsea) NY, 10001 United States Phone 212-647-8867 Fax 212-647-8899 Hours Tue-Sat 12-6 Nearby: All 10 galleries at 601 W 26th St

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