Atmospheric Art by Artist Faith Cuda

Artist Faith Cuda is drawn to what she refers to as “Atmospheric Art.”  Whether her subject matter is Earth, Sky or Water, her nonrepresentational paintings are pulling her into a journey of discovery.  Art Central Gallery proudly presents her newest exhibit of the same name during the month of April.

      

The emotional message of the artist is her interpretation of her composition through the size of the canvas, the design and always the color of her chosen palette.  Sometimes the work is more experimental, sometimes more representative, but always full of mystery and excitement.  “The triumph,” Faith says, “is always the use of light and the secret of creating form by its use.” 

For Faith, each painting is packed with things she has learned:  using colors in a pleasing or jarring way, using her brush or palette knife to make interesting marks, finding ways to infuse her work with the passion she feels for art.  “Now, if all of that sounds like a lot to learn and do in one painting, it is;” she says, “however, that’s the journey and the evolution to become a really good artist.  We are never too old to learn and to create and to chase the illusive.  This ‘atmospheric art’ involves me and inspires further experimentation.  The only thing missing on this journey is time to fully experience all of it!

“My display at Art Central Gallery on Short Central will be filled with this style of art which is my new and emerging identity as an artist. I hope you enjoy it!”

Meet the artist at a reception on Third Thursday, April 21st 5-8 p.m. and see more of her work at www.artcgalleryltd.com.

Showing Our Green - group show March 2016

Yvonne Rousseau

During March—that month so full of green, from fresh spring growth to the beer on St. Patrick’s Day—Art Central Ltd. Gallery is celebrating all things green.  The artists present a group exhibit, “Showing Our Green,” depicting the many variations of this most special hue. 

    Green offers so many possibilities!  Of course, it all starts with yellow and blue, as we learned in kindergarten, but green can also can contain many other pigments.  The artist can adjust that basic mixture by adding purple, orange, red, white or black.  All of these variations exist in nature and make painting the Lowcountry’s lush green landscapes that much more fun. 

    The exhibit includes landscapes, floral designs, and still lifes in oils, watercolors, batiks and photography.  In some of the work, green is the main player; in others it takes a supporting role. But always it is an eye-catcher.  In this area so many plants keep their color through the cooler months.  Even though this winter has been particularly warm, it’s exciting to welcome a new season of growth.  One of the surest harbingers of the colors to come is the bright yellow-green that only appears in early spring.

    Celebrate the new season with the artists at a reception on Third Thursday, March 17, 2016 5-8 p. m. and see more green (and other exciting colors!) on their website, www.artcgalleryltd.com. 

"The Deep Blue Sea" - oil paintings by artist Christine Crosby

featured February 2016 show

Art Central Gallery is proud to feature Christie Crosby’s exhibit of oil paintings entitled “The Deep Blue Sea” during the month of February 2016.  These paintings represent some of her favorite images of the sea and the land next to it.

As a Lowcountry native, Christie grew up on the water.  Fishing has been a life-long love for her and her family.  Even though catch-and-release is Christie’s preferred method, she does enjoy eating some of her catch as well.

The image “Roundup” depicts one of the most challenging catches a deep-sea fisherman can make.  It is a long and tiring ordeal.  That’s why the reference photos for this painting came from the successful catch her brother made in a fishing tournament.  He was happy to show off his hard work for the camera.  After gathering reference photos and sketches, the artist paints her marine life subjects in their natural environment.  Much as Christie loves fishing, her paintings are not about that—her work is about the natural world she loves.

Most of the artist’s subject matter includes the land and water she grew up exploring, and her devotion for the Lowcountry is evident in her work.

“The Deep Blue Sea” will be on exhibit until the end of February 2016.  Meet the artist at a reception on Third Thursday, Feb. 18th 5-8pm and learn more about her work at www.artcgalleryltd.com. 

"Fanciful Florals" by artist Debbie Grogen

Art Central Gallery's featured January 2016 show is “Fanciful Florals”  by artist Debbie Grogen. Debbie has created a collection of paintings that showcase impressionistic, abstract, and realistic flowers done in several mediums. The artist enjoys perpetually experimenting and trying new techniques and mediums.  These paintings are in oil, watercolor, pastels, acrylic, and her newest discovery-alcohol ink on yupo (synthetic) paper.

Debbie’s work includes landscapes, portraits and pets, but she keeps coming back to her first love-flowers.  Debbie describes sitting down to paint a floral piece as a special connection to Mother Nature.  The challenge of capturing the essence of each flower never becomes dull.  “The turns of the petals... the subtle shading that creates shape and form... the sunlight casting strong shadows... I love the leaves and the various greens that frame the blooms... Every flower has SO MUCH going on...and the study of it all is a peaceful mediation that always gives my soul sustenance”.

One of the paintings featured is entitled “Red Redolence.”  It is a palette knife oil painting of white lilies in a bright red vase inspired by the need to paint an arrangement of flowers in something red!  Another quieter piece is a watercolor of a single white rose with dewdrops on the petals.

See “Fanciful Florals” at Art Central Gallery during the month of January 2016, Monday-Saturday 10-5.  Meet the artist on Third Thursday, January 21st 5-8pm or see more of her work at www.artcgalleryltd.com.

Art Central celebrates the season with "Small Treasures" through December 2015

image by Christine Crosby

 For the month of December, Art Central Gallery is featuring an exhibit of “Small Treasures.”  The paintings and photographs are 8x10 and smaller and are done in a variety of mediums.  

These diminutive works remind the viewer of the small delights in life—a sunny day on the water or a hummingbird in the garden.

Artist Alix Kassing says of her acrylic painting “Poppy Joy” that she “could not wait to get to the easel to capture this beautiful field of poppies on the canvas. While painting, I remember the joy of being there and hope that my work brings a sense of joy to the viewer as well.”

“Small Treasures” will be on display through the end of December.  Meet the artists at the Holiday Open House on Third Thursday, December 17, 2015 5-8pm.

Window to the World—New watercolors by Jan Dalton

Featured November 2015 show at Art Central Gallery

Jan Dalton’s watercolor paintings of windows and the views they hold are on display at Art Central Gallery during the month of November.  The artist believes that a window is more entertaining than TV.   Just ask any dog watching out for a friend or foe.  In the image here, Jan’s dog, Roxanne, is captivated by her surroundings.  

Jan says, “Often times when I walk past a window it offers new journeys to explore.  The reflections fascinate me with awesome colors, shapes and visions.  Sometimes I get lost imagining what unfamiliar territory lays beyond the window pane.  I have to ask myself, do I dare enter, do I dare stay out?  Maybe I should do both.”

These paintings explore the sun shining its golden rays through the glass bringing inspirations from a forgotten summer, a fragrance, memories of loved ones and days of the past. When Jan glances through a window, nature will call her out to the garden or send a shiver of the cold winter’s night.   All are images for another a new painting.

Explore these windows and the worlds they portray during the month of November 2015 at Art Central, Monday-Saturday 10-5, late Thursdays until 8pm.  

Meet the artist on Third Thursday, Nov.19, 2015 5-8pm or see more of her work at www.artcgalleryltd.com.  

17th Anniversary October 17, 2015 5-8pm, BIRDS statue unveiling 5:30pm

Join us for a 17th Anniversary Celebration on October 17, 2015 5-8pm
BIRDS statue unveiling at 5:30pm
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