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The Four Seasons

January 3, 2007- January 27, 2007

Reception: January 6, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Janice Anthony, Theresa Bartol, Arthur Chartow, James Cramer, Judy Evans, Victor Leger, John Morrell, Cora Ogden, Jeanne Rovegno, Michael Schweigart, Jeffery Vaughn

Sherry French Gallery

601 W 26th St

Nature. It inspires with every gentle beginning of a sunrise, with every delicate scent of a blossom. The mere song of a bird or whistle of the wind can incite a sense of wonder and exhilaration. This dialogue between man and nature, however, is ever changing, as our seasons take hold, altering the face of the world around us. The barren winter landscape melts, breeding life and color into the vivacious buds of Spring. Summer takes hold, with its buzzing insects and warm sun rays, yet eventually gives way to the crisp air of fall, the smell of burning leaves and the sight of changing foliage in a metamorphosis of colors.

It is no surprise then, that the predictable cyclical changes of the seasons inspire distinctive works of art. Our conversation between nature and man, man and art, is both physical and spiritual. Each season bequeaths us with a different mood, evoking within each person a unique set of emotions that, although familiar, are unending in their seduction and wonder they incite toward the world around us. We see each season as though we are seeing it for the first time. The first snowfall, the first bud of color that pops through the soil, all conjure up the instinctual excitement that nature brings to our lives. This attachment to the habitual behaves in ways that affect our mood, yet holds different charms for each person.

The Sherry French Gallery is proud to highlight those artists paying homage to the innate, seemingly effortless changes of the natural world in its annual show "The Four Seasons", January 3rd-27th, 2007. Through paint and brush, these Realist and Representational artists depict this never-ending masquerade of the cyclical pattern of nature, inciting a sense of familiarity and wonder while taking us through nature's sometimes ominous mood to its blissful enchantments.

These aesthetically fascinating paintings explore individual connections between seasons and emotions. These portrayals are undoubtedly reminiscent of our own connection with nature and the cycle of life. Participating artists include Janice Anthony, Theresa Bartol, Arthur Chartow, James Cramer, Judy Evans, Victor Leger, John Morrell, Cora Ogden, Jeanne Rovegno, Michael Schweigart, and Jeffery Vaughn.

As evident in his paintings, Michael Schweigart has a deep appreciation for the beauty of spring and summer, a time when "everything is fertile and coming to life," he says. Spending time outdoors among potential masterpieces is where Schwiegart finds inspiration and uses sketches, detailed drawings, and photographs as a means of taking it all in. Though a realist painter, Schweigart's work is not without his own unique touch, while he paints true to his vision, he tends to alter the lighting to romanticize the painting, an effect that is very slight, but truly significant to his style. Schweigart's paintings bring us to places like rural America where the neglected site of overgrown grass and a weathered barn surrounded by mountains and valleys remind us of the simple pleasures of life and nature. In any setting and in any light, Schweigart delivers and traps the most ordinary of moments in our minds and hearts.

Never has one felt closer to nature than when viewing the paintings of Janice Anthony. The intricate landscapes of nature that Anthony has produced represent all seasons, from the dead of winter to the luscious colors of summer. Anthony has the ability to place us before a babbling brook, on a mountaintop, or among the trees of a forest, and make us believe that we are actually there. Anthony's paintings are full of the "ongoing interconnection between elements." Her paintings are calm and soothing with a close to life feel that brings the viewer directly to the forefront of her imagination and vision. "The most important elements of a natural landscape that will become the subject of a painting are a sense of mystery, and a correspondence with my inner landscape." The paintings of Janice Anthony are to not only be viewed, but also offer an experience of the mind and sole.

James Cramer's knowledge and devotion of the Hudson River Valley comes to life in his vast array of paintings from the area during all seasons of the year. As an artist, Cramer is faithful and enthusiastic in his for his love of nature, which is evident in his work. His paintings have a subtle movement, smooth lyrical quality, and a touch of impressionist influence that makes them a pleasure to view and give us a perfect image of nature's splendor. "The beauty and strangeness of it all for me is even after working out there for twenty-five years, everyday painting feels like I'm starting and learning it all over again," says Cramer. Through his work, Cramer hopes to expose and to connect his viewer to the wilderness and inspire them to venture out of doors and find peace with nature.

When drawing comparisons between man's creations and that of nature's, man inevitably falls short. However, the paintings included in this show, looking at the details and shapes, colors and patterns that occur in nature, do not try to manipulate nature but merely represent the wondrous world around us in its truest forms. The artists in this show have successfully translated emotion into color, nature into breathtaking works of art that portray the ever-changing world around us. Nature is presented as a timeless source of information, affording us a wonderful opportunity for inspiration. For further information, contact Sherry French at 212 647-8867.

Books and DVDs related to artists in this show

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