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Knock on Wood: Contemporary Wood Sculpture & Furniture
A Special Group Exhibition

Opening Reception: Saturday, August 7, 4 – 7 pm (free)
Exhibition Dates: August 7 - 28, 2010

Arts on Douglas is pleased to announce the opening of a new group exhibition entitled Knock on Wood: Contemporary Wood Sculpture and Furniture. This exhibition features sculptural and functional artwork in wood by 8 Central Florida artists all represented by the gallery. The participating artists include: Rodney Lints, Gustaf Miller, Jan Miller, Phil Parker, Don Reagan, Mary Schimpff Webb, Joe Segal and Enzo Torcoletti.

Knock on Wood features the use of wood as the primary art medium. Each artists’ approach to their medium is unique.

New Smyrna Beach artist Rodney Lints uses his experience as a carpenter to create skillfully hand built furniture constructions that are both functional and beautiful. He begins with a rough piece of wood, which he then mills, sizes and shapes using old world joinery and modern technology. His work incorporates American and exotic hardwoods from managed forests throughout the world.

Vero Beach artist Gustaf Miller creates abstract and figurative wood sculptures that combine stacked sawn wood with layers of acrylic paint. Miller distresses the outside of each piece to create a highly textured surface, often mimicking those found on old buildings. His sculpture, ETEC Building, (image attached) is an example of a work that conveys the weathering effect of time on architecture.

St. Augustine artist Jan Miller is a jack of all trades. One aspect of her artistic persona uses wood furniture as her blank canvas. She treats each piece as a sculpture, painting the surface as she sees fit. Her designs are often abstract, but with her own unique flair.

Flagler Beach artist Phil Parker creates original, one-of-a-kind mixed media assemblage sculptures. Parker begins by building a three-dimensional structure. Within this structure, Parker then assembles found objects, recycled materials, and ephemeral items that often are charged with metaphorical references. His sculptures explore many different narratives such as art, science and the human condition.

Don Reagan creates one-of-a-kind 2D and 3D turned wood sculptures. His work incorporates hand carving and exotic wood combinations with turquoise and coral inlay.

St. Augustine artist Joe Segal’s minimalist sculptures are simple yet contemplative works that explore the intricate qualities of his materials. He often uses salvage wood and metal to push the boundaries of the relation between natural and man-made objects. This contrast between the two opposing forces adds an intriguing mystery to his creations.

St. Augustine artist Enzo Torcoletti is well-known for his abstract and figurative sculptures. His forms are usually abstractions of the human figure, typically depicting women. However, for the Knock on Wood exhibit, Torcolletti created a male figure carved from apple wood and oak. The artist’s fascination with classical sculpture and the human figure continues to serve as inspiration for his creations.

Local artist Mary Schimpff Webb derives much of her inspiration from nature. Her jewelry ideas come from seeing objects in nature that trigger a creative response, such as the shapes of clouds or a blade of grass. She carefully considers many aspects when designing her jewelry, such as balance and harmony, which has become synonymous with her designs as well as ensuring the piece is stylish and wearable. Her wood jewelry is hand-carved from ebony wood with exquisite detail. Also on display, is a hand-carved ebony box, with a formed argentium sterling silver lid.

The opening reception is free and open to the public.

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Arts on Douglas Group Exhibition
FROM THE EARTH

Opening Reception: Saturday, July 3, 4 – 7 pm (free)
Exhibition Dates: July 3 - 31, 2010

Arts on Douglas is pleased to announce the opening of a new group exhibition entitled FROM THE EARTH. This exhibition features work in ceramic, metal and natural materials by 11 Central Florida artists, both independents as well as those represented by the gallery. The participating artists are: Susan Bach, Tom Brewer, Ed Harris, Tim Ludwig, Jan Miller, Erin Mindigo, Mary Schimpff Webb, Wendy Tatter, Enzo Torcoletti, and guest artists Akiko Sugiyama and Libby Ware.

From the Earth highlights the use of earth-formed materials in the creative process. The earth is composed of many different materials such as rocks, elements and minerals. Valuable resources are produced from these materials. Clay, for example, is a naturally occurring material composed of fine-grain minerals that is formed through the gradual weathering of rocks. Many of the works in this exhibition use materials that are produced through the earth’s natural processes. Some artists use clay or metal to form their creation, while others realize the innate beauty of natural objects. One artist that recognizes the beauty of natural forms is Akiko Sugiyama. Her work Seedpod and Seed incorporates cut and shaped banana leaves arranged with hand twisted rice paper. Other natural materials are utilized, such as gourds which are the hollow, dried shells of fruit, altered from their origin context.

In the hands of these artists, the raw material is transformed into a work of art. Using different techniques and media, the artists’ infuse these materials with symbolism and beauty. This collection of works demonstrates the diversity of approaches to earth-derived materials.

The opening reception is free and open to the public.

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Rainey Dimmitt
Subjective Realism

Opening Reception: Saturday, June 5, 4 – 7 pm (free)
Exhibition Dates: June 5 - 26, 2010
Gallery Talk: Wednesday, June 16 at 4pm (free)

Each month Arts on Douglas Fine Art and Collectibles, the downtown New Smyrna Beach art gallery, features one new exhibition. During the month of June, the gallery will showcase the work of Ormond Beach artist Rainey Dimmitt.

This exhibition entitled, Subjective Realism, will feature the work of Rainey Dimmitt. Dimmitt is best known for her expressive portraits and bold, impressionistic landscapes. Her portraits often feature seated, elongated figures set against a softly lit background. The figures are suggestive of Modigliani’s exaggerated forms. Like Modigliani, Dimmit’s soulful subjects engage the viewer in conversation, eager to divulge the story of their lives. The artist seeks to capture the emotional complexities of her subjects, rather than portraying their true likeness. Dimmitt says, “I assume liberty with color and form while maintaining a semblance of similarity to my subject- a “subjective realism.”

The Florida landscape is also a dominant theme of her work. Dimmitt paints the world around her, capturing the Florida landscape according to her creative impulses. She draws a great deal of inspiration from her immediate surroundings and personal interactions with the environment. In her words, “I paint the world around me- the interior of my home, the surrounding lot which we’ve left as natural as possible, the city streets, older buildings along the river in Ormond Beach.”

Dimmitt was born into a creative family in Virginia Beach. Her father was a plein air painter who supplemented his income by selling his paintings. Her mother, a Jewish immigrant from Romania, wrote poetry. The impulse to create ran throughout her family. Claimed actor and artist Edward G. Robinson was a distant relative of her mother’s cousin. As a child, Dimmitt fantasized about being a painter and vowed to accomplish her childhood dream. She studied art at the Richmond Professional Institute and after moving to Florida, earned her bachelor of fine arts from the University of South Florida in 1978. She continued her art studies through travel to Europe, Asia and Africa. Over the years, her unique style has evolved from using watercolors to oils and pastels, which allow Dimmitt to render the world in colorful detail.

The exhibit includes a varied collection of oil paintings and pastel drawings from the artist’s career. She has been featured in many juried and group exhibitions over the years. Rainey Dimmitt currently lives in Ormond Beach, FL with her two kittens.

The opening reception (Saturday, June 4, 4-7pm) and gallery talk (Wednesday, June 16@ 4pm) are free and open to the public.

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Marilynne Roland and Marylee Voegele

Relatively Speaking
Opening Reception: Saturday, May 1, 4 – 7 pm (free)
Exhibition Dates: May 1 - 29, 2010

Each month Arts on Douglas Fine Art and Collectibles, the downtown New Smyrna Beach art gallery, features one new exhibition. During the month of May, the gallery will showcase the works of two artists Marilynne Roland and Marylee Voegele.
This two person-exhibition entitled, Relatively Speaking, will feature the work of mother daughter duo Marilynne Roland and Marylee Voegele. Marilynne Roland is a well-known New Smyrna Beach artist. Her career as a fine artist spans over 30 years and has been highlighted by local, state and national honors. After retiring from a career in the newspaper business in 1975, Roland began painting professionally. She initiated her painting career working in oils and later moved to watercolors. Currently, she works in mixed watermedia. For this exhibition, Roland will be showing a combination of early and recent work. While many of her images over the years refer to certain places they may also be products of her own imagination.
Roland’s passion to create art has helped her endure the difficulties of getting older. Now 88 years old, with her vision is deteriorating, her determination and need to create art still persists. She continues to paint with the aid of a magnifying glass and looks forward to “holding” and not “folding” in her own words.
In 1995, inspired by her mother’s example, Marylee began a new career as an artist. Like her mother, she loves to experiment with different media. Her work involves combining translucent layers of acrylic paint and texture to create the illusion of depth. Her Tree Series paintings are a great example of this process, where the illusory background contrasts with the depiction of realistic trees. Marylee currently lives in Leesburg, FL. She frequently teaches experimental art workshops in the area.
The opening reception and gallery talk are free and open to the public.

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Hope Barton
About Water

Opening Reception: Saturday, March 6, 4 – 7 pm
Exhibition Dates: March 6 - 27, 2010
Gallery Talk with the Artist: Saturday, March 20 at 1pm (free)

Each month one of the 59 artists represented by Arts on Douglas Fine Art and Collectibles, the downtown New Smyrna Beach art gallery, is featured in a solo exhibition. During the month of March, the gallery will showcase the acrylic paintings and etchings of St. Augustine artist, Hope Barton.
The exhibition entitled, About Water will feature the most recent work created by the artist. As the title implies, Barton’s work depicts water-related environments which have sentimental significance to her: the Atlantic Ocean, North Florida marshes, rivers, and creeks. Over the years Barton has spent in Florida she has taken a myriad of photographs of these special locations. For this exhibition she sorted through this collection of images to use as her reference material. “Each painting is a story. The places I have lived, spent my vacations and free time have been centered around water. These very special places have provided a backdrop for my work.” Prompted by these reflections, About Water captures memories of the artist’s life as well as memories of Florida’s ever changing scenery.
Hope Barton was born in Colorado Springs, CO, but raised in Florida. She received her bachelor’s degree in Art Education from Florida Southern College. The years after graduation were spent at various jobs including teaching adult education, high school art and business. Later studies in printmaking and drawing followed at the University of Central Florida and University of Florida. Barton has continued to study and experiment with her art. In 2004, Barton was selected to create the artwork for the poster announcing the 2004 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival. She is a member of the Plein Air Florida Society, which exhibits and paints across the state.
Hope Barton will give a gallery talk at Arts on Douglas on Saturday, March 20 at 1pm.

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Jean Banas
The Beat Goes On
Opening reception: Saturday, January 2, 4-7 pm
Exhibition dates: January 2-30, 2010
Gallery Talk and Demo, January 30, 2010 at 1pm

Each month one of the 59 artists represented by Arts on Douglas Fine Art and Collectibles, the downtown New Smyrna Beach art gallery, is featured in a solo exhibition. During the month of January, the gallery will feature the abstract expressionist paintings by New Smyrna Beach artist Jean Banas.

The title of the exhibition, The Beat Goes On, will feature a collection of bold, acrylic abstract paintings. Jean Banas's paintings reveal a sense of spontaneity and rebelliousness through her use of quick brushstrokes and bold colors. My works are alive with exuberance and vitality. Her work is an exploration of color, shape, line and form. Banas is focused on the act of painting and the creative process, an emphasis that ties her work to the tradition of the Abstract Expressionist movement.
Jean Banas was born in Buffalo, NY. She moved to New Smyrna Beach in 1982. In the late 1990s, she enrolled in a painting workshop taught by former Deland artist Steve Aimone at Atlantic Center for the Arts. This meeting sparked a long creative collaboration between teacher and student. Aimone became a mentor to Jean, which has been highly influential to the development of her work. Their collaboration continues today.

Jean has participated in several group shows and has won several awards such as Best in Show at the Art League in Daytona Beach, Florida in 2009 and Second Place Award for Painting at the Armory Art Center in West Palm Beach, Florida. Among her awards, Jean was granted signature membership in the National Watercolor Society and the Florida Watercolor Society. She has shown regularly in group and solo exhibitions throughout Florida and California.

Jean will also be hosting a gallery talk and demo on her work entitled, Abstract Expressionists and Me on January 30, 2010 at 1pm.

The opening reception and gallery talk are free and open to the public.

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New Artists Exhibition
Opening reception: Saturday, August 1, 4 - 7 pm
Exhibition dates: August 1-29, 2009

Arts on Douglas is pleased to announce the addition of nine (9) new artists to its stable. The gallery will introduce the new artists to the public with an opening reception slated for Saturday, August 1 from 4 -7pm. The New Artists Exhibition, which runs through the August 29, will feature a unique collection of two and three-dimensional works of art by the incoming artists. The artists included in the New Artists Exhibition are: Susan Bach, ceramic sculpture (Orlando), Riitta Klint, painting (Miami), Gustaf Miller, sculpture (Vero Beach), Erin Mindigo Lee, jewelry (New Smyrna Beach), Larry Moore, painting (Orlando), Inez Nickmans, furniture (St. Augustine), Audrey Phillips, painting (Edgewater), Wendy Tatter, batik (St. Augustine), and Marylee Voegele, painting (Leesburg).

Susan Bach creates finely crafted decorative clocks, vases, and sculptures. Each piece is a one-of-a-kind construction made from slab rolled terracotta, layered with lustrous glazes and color. Bach is extremely meticulous when it comes to the details of structure, surface, and design. For inspiration, Bach often uses images from an archive of magazines, picture books, or her father's illustrations. She arranges her design until she is pleased with the composition of patterns and colors, and then transfers her design unto the clay surface, which is then dried, bisque fired and glazed. Bach explains, To me, working in clay is a marvelous mixture of delight and difficulty. Susan Bach was educated at Pratt Institute, NY, NY and Penland School of Crafts, Penland, NC. She has been a studio artist since 1981. Bach has exhibited in galleries and museums throughout the country.

Riita Klint is an atmospheric painter that largely works in diptych or triptych form. Klint's paintings are inspired by the artistic movement of 19th century Romanticism with its emphasis on emotion and yearning that takes place in a magnificent but despairing landscape. Klint works loosely and spontaneously with transparent paint, allowing paint to drip, pool, and flow with little to no interference. This unrestrained process gives Klint's paintings a sense of untamed nature. Klint explains, The work unfolds as images that reveal themselves in a continuing search for uncontrollable beauty and the divine in nature. Klint received a BS degree in Fashion Design and Textiles from the University of Texas at Austin, and a BFA degree from Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida. Klint maintains a studio in Miami, Florida. She has participated in numerous juried group exhibitions throughout South Florida.

Gustaf Miller is a sculptor and painter from Vero Beach. Miller's playful sculptures and paintings are informed by the Constructivist movement in art, whereby the object and its spatial presence become the focus. Miller's most recent work is centered on the stacking of blocks, sometimes figure based, and sometimes architecturally based. Miller uses geometrically cut, sawn, or turned wood, as well as glue and generous amounts of paint to construct his sculptures. Im playing with blocks, although, unlike childrens blocks, the size, shape, and color are under my control; it is trial and error throughout the process of assembly, explains Miller. Gustaf Miller graduated with a BFA and MFA degree from Syracuse University, New York and pursued post graduate studies in Rome, Italy. Miller has exhibited in fine art galleries and museums throughout the East Coast. His work is currently in the collections of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, MA; Vero Beach Museum, FL; Addison Gallery of American Art, Andover, MA; Margulies Collection, Miami, FL; Graham Gund Collection, Cambridge, MA; and DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Garden, Lincoln, MA.

Erin Mindigo Lee creates handcrafted necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and rings that often incorporate unique kinetic elements. Mindigo Lee creates contrast in each piece by combining smooth surfaces, influenced by geometry and architecture, along with rough gritty textures drawn from organic forms. The hammered textures and supple surfaces are not only visually appealing but are also engaging to touch. Mindigo Lee explains, I consider the experience of the wearer, incorporating motion, spontaneity, and a sense of play. This is done with attention to human scale, and the forms relationship to the body. Erin Mindigo Lee was born in Columbus, Ohio. She graduated from Columbus College of Art and Design with honors and a Baccalaureate of Fine Arts degree in 2005. Since then, Mindigo Lee has participated in many solo, group, and invitational exhibitions.

Larry Moore is a passionate oil painter, illustrator, and environmentalist. Inspired by his travels, Moore's body of work includes realistic figures, narrative landscapes, and stunning sea vistas. Moore has committed his life to documenting the natural world through art. He explains, Today, our beautiful planet is taking a beating through overdevelopment and abuse. I try to capture the grandeur of nature, to create reminders of peace and beauty. Larry Moore majored in graphic design at the University of Florida and worked as an illustrator and teacher before devoting himself to a full time painting career. His illustrations have been accepted into the Society of Illustrators in New York and Los Angeles. Moore has also participated in solo, group, and invitational exhibitions throughout the United States. He has received many prestigious awards including the Artists Choice award at the Islander Plein Air Invitational, Maui, HI; Collectors Choice award at the Laguna Invitational, Laguna Beach, CA; Honorable mention at the Carmel Art Festival, Carmel, CA; Honorable Mention at the Communication Arts Illustration Annual; and the prestigious gold award from the Society of Illustrators.

Inez Nickmanscreates one-of-a-kind furniture and art objects, including variations of cupboards, cabinets, benches, tables, ornamental fish, and birdhouses. Nickmans layers each piece with vibrant acrylic paints, and then scuffs and sands the surface, creating the appearance of weathered wood but with a satin-smooth finish. Nickmans approaches every piece like a painting. She explains, I have no preconceived idea how it will turn out. The weather, the temperatures, the humidity can affect how it will look. Nickmans was born in Belgium. She received her B.A. degree in Fine Arts at State University of New York (SUNY). Nickmans began her career as a painter before shifting her attention toward furniture design.

Audrey Phillips paintings offer intriguing surfaces created with mixed media, such as encaustic, acrylic, cold wax, or oil. Phillips explains, My recent work is largely non objective. These paintings explore visual elements (line, mark, shape, texture and color) and the expressive potential when these elements interact with one another. Through painting I have found a language that can speak of the internal and transcendent. Audrey Phillips was born in Mississippi. She received her Bachelor of Fine Art degree from the University of Florida. Throughout her career, Phillips has participated in many solo and group exhibitions at noted galleries and museums that include the Naples Museum of Art and the Orlando Museum of Art.

Wendy Tatteris a batik artist from St. Augustine. Tatter became obsessed with batik while attending Instituto Allende, an art school in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Tatter explains, �I was so intrigued with the slightly backward way of creating a design that I�ve been doing it ever since!� Batik is a traditional technique of making designs with molten wax and dyes on cloth. The word itself is Javanese and means writing and drawing with wax. A mixture of bees wax and paraffin is applied to cloth with a paintbrush or special tool and it is then dyed. The wax resists the dye bath, which creates the beginning of the design. This wax resistance process is repeated with many applications, until the artwork has met the expectations of the artist. Tatter has traveled extensively throughout the Caribbean and the Americas and many of her journeys have influenced her batik designs. Wendy Tatter also attended the San Francisco Institute of Art, San Francisco, California; Laney College, Oakland, California; Maryland Institute of Art, Baltimore, Maryland; and Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia.

Marylee Voegele is a self taught water-media artist from Leesburg. Voegele�s paintings are spontaneous experiments of texture, color, and composition. Voegele explains, �I love to experiment and extend the boundaries of contemporary watercolor and various mixed media techniques.� Voegele�s painting is spontaneous, she emphasizes design, strong color composition and utilizes enriched textures to draw the viewer deeper into each of her paintings. Often she will include subtle suggestions to invite imagination to play a part in her artwork. For six years, Voegele has been invited to be a participant in Walt Disney World�s annual Art in the Garden promotion which is held in conjunction with Epcot�s International Flower and Garden Festival. She was also one of five invited artists to participate in the Maitland Art Center�s Dinner with the Artist and she is a signature member of the Florida Watercolor Society. She has exhibited her work at several prominent juried art festivals and enjoys teaching workshops and presenting demonstrations.

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In observance of Independence Day, Arts on Douglas will not host a new solo exhibition or opening reception on Saturday, July 4, 2009. We will resume our regular opening exhibition schedule in August. In the meantime, the gallery has decided to extend Vero Beach artist Ren� Guerin�s solo exhibition Across the Spectrum until July 25, 2009.

Ren� Guerin�s exhibition can be viewed in its entirety online at: http://www.artsondouglas.net/current.html

Ren� Guerin
ACROSS THE SPECTRUM
Opening Reception: Saturday, June 6, 4 � 7 pm
Exhibition Dates: June 6-July 25, 2009

Each month one of the 57 artists represented by Arts on Douglas Fine Art and Collectibles, the downtown New Smyrna Beach art gallery, is featured in a solo exhibition. During the month of June, the gallery will feature Vero Beach artist Ren� Guerin.

Rene Guerin's solo exhibition Across the Spectrum will include vibrant oil paintings and raku-fired sculptures. The paintings range in subject matter such as fresh landscapes, lush orchards, sunny beach scenes, and still life. Guerin is most readily known for the energy and power of her brush strokes. However, this prolific exhibition will highlight the range of stylistic approaches and media Guerin has mastered throughout her career as a professional artist. �All of these stylistic approaches represent various stages that I have worked through over the years,� explains Guerin, �Now as a mature artist, I use whatever technique and approach that suits the subject matter and what I want to express.�

When Guerin�s paintings are viewed from a distance they appear true to life. As an example, the painting Mckee Botanical Gardens presents a realistic and lonely tree-lined walkway that fades into the arbor; however as viewers move closer to the painting, the imagery dissolves into abstraction and spontaneous brushwork. Guerin focuses on the essence of her subject matter rather than detail. She explains, �Realistic paintings have evolved into intuitive paintings, using composition and color in an emotional way.� As a result, Guerin�s paintings merge aspects of expressive painting with those of traditional landscape painting.

Guerin alternates her time painting between the outdoors and in her Vero Beach studio. This flexibility allows Guerin the freedom to explore her technique and subject matter. Although Guerin might begin a painting en plein air, or �in the open air,� she will often complete a piece in her studio where the subject matter is transformed by her imagination.

What most people do not know is that Ren� Guerin is also an accomplished sculptor. Across the Spectrum will feature a number of raku-fired ceramic sculptures. The sculptures are constructed by modifying and hand building layers onto wheel thrown cylinders. Whether the sculpture is representative of The Politician or Bull Terrier, Guerin has the remarkable ability to capture the gesture and mood of her subject matter.

Ren� Guerin received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Florida State University. As a professional artist, Guerin has participated in many solo, juried, and group exhibitions throughout the United States, including the Boca Raton Museum of Art; the Florida Gulf Coast Art Center; Bellaire; and the Society of the Four Arts, Palm Beach. Her work is currently included in the permanent collections of The Center for the Arts, Vero Beach, Florida; the Brevard Art Center and Museum, Melbourne, Florida; and the Morris Museum, Augusta, Georgia.

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Jim Draper
PAINTINGS

Opening Reception: Saturday, May 2, 4 � 7 pm
Exhibition Dates: May 2 � 30, 2009

Each month one of the 57 artists represented by Arts on Douglas Fine Art and Collectibles, the downtown New Smyrna Beach art gallery, is featured in a solo exhibition. During the month of May, the gallery will feature Jacksonville painter Jim Draper.

Jim Draper�s solo exhibition Paintings will include subject matter ranging from Florida�s wetlands to farm animals. Draper�s vivid representations forego the traditional landscape; rather wetlands, palm trees, cows, chickens, and other animal life forms are materialized as an expressive portrait of place. Draper�s fascination with the constantly changing Florida landscape has provided him with a lifetime of subject matter. Draper explains, �I try my best to catalog nature�s regenerative qualities. There are many places in Florida where you can see nature slowly taking back terrain that man failed to conquer. Plants and animals, belonging to an environment or not, begin to morph into an unstoppable force that pulsates up and down the peninsula.�

Jim Draper was raised in Kosciusko, Mississippi. He attended the University of Mississippi where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. He later received his M.F.A. from the University of Georgia at Athens. Draper has taught extensively at the college level and currently maintains a studio in historic Springfield near downtown Jacksonville, Florida. He has been featured in countless exhibitions, and today his work can be found in a myriad of corporate and private collections.

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John Wilton:
Fun & Games

Opening Reception: Saturday, April 4, 4 � 7 pm
Exhibition Dates: April 4 � 25, 2009

Arts on Douglas is pleased to announce the opening of an interactive exhibition of new work by John Wilton, titled Fun & Games. This exhibition gives gallery-goers an opportunity to participate in the exhibition by arranging and re-arranging a unique system of Modular Art Panels (MAPs). The MAPs incorporate various types of imagery and media, such as digital photography, acrylic painting and silkscreen.Members of the public are encouraged to play with themes, shapes, colors and patterns as they recreate the look of the show. The possibilities of ever-changing diptychs, triptychs and polytychs will be multiplied throughout the month the exhibition is on display.

John Wilton, senior professor of digital media at Daytona State College, is well known for his multi-media works, digital photography and video. His paintings, often free-association collages of personal impressions and cultural icons, mimic the barrage of popular images we encounter in our multimedia age. Wilton�s current work aims to involve the viewers in the creative process, by mixing and matching elements in ways that seem right to them. Unlike �traditional� art, there is no �right way� to recreate each piece or grouping. The show will be a free-association experience, intended as an affirmation of life and art.

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 PLEIN AIR TO POST MODERN:
Stylistic Approaches to the Contemporary Landscape

Opening Reception: Saturday, March 7, 4 � 7 pm
Exhibition Dates: March 7 � 28, 2009
Curator's lecture: Friday, March 20, 11am

Arts on Douglas is pleased to announce the opening of a new group exhibition entitled Plein Air to Post Modern. This exhibition traces a stylistic progression of contemporary landscape paintings by sixteen Central Florida artists, both independents as well as those represented by the gallery. Guest curator James Murphy selected the artists in this special exhibition, which includes Daniel Ambrose, Jean Banas, Marc Barrett, Donne Bitner, Christophe Cardot, Stephen Danko, Pam Griesinger, Ren� Guerin, Michael Katz, Kevin McNamara, Carol Napoli, Marilynne Roland, Jeanne Schubert, Jo Sinclair, Trish Thompson and John Wilton. Murphy, an art historian and former arts administrator, is an adjunct faculty member of Stetson University and Daytona State College.
 
Plein Air to Post Modern will showcase the historical movements that have influenced and in some cases been abandoned by contemporary artists. En plein air is a French expression for the act of painting �in the open air,� which became especially popular in the 1870s with the introduction of portable tubes of paint. En plein air painting is often associated with French Impressionist painters, such as Claude Monet, Camille Pissarro, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir; however, its impact can be seen throughout the developing phases of the �avant garde� in modern art and up to the post modern movement, which continues to challenge modernist assumptions.

Several artists in the show represent the plein air approach, which attempts to capture the fleeting effects of light and atmosphere in nature. Other artists exemplify the Expressionist search for emotional experience, Surrealist explorations of fantasy, or the liberating possibilities of pure abstraction. Though not strictly historical, the exhibition traces major movements of the 19th and 20th centuries as understood and experienced by artists working today.

In addition to the opening reception, Dr. Murphy will present a Curator�s Lecture on March 20 at 11:00 A.M. The event is free and open to the public.

 

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George Pappas
The First Fifty Years: A Retrospective
Opening reception: Saturday, August 2, 4 � 7 pm
Exhibition dates: August 2 � 30, 2008
The work of artist and educator George Pappas will be highlighted in the exhibition The First Fifty Years: A Retrospective. This is the first comprehensive survey of Pappas's work at Arts on Douglas . The retrospective will feature over 16 works, each from a different phase and series in the artist's career.
The First Fifty Years: A Retrospective will showcase the artwork that has captivated viewing audiences since the 1950s. The exhibition includes works from the Beach and Landscape series, Domestic Relationships series, Archeological Sites series, Artists' Portraits series, Crime Scenes and Barriers, and the most recent Literary Digest and Excavations series.
Pappas's interest in Greek heritage, mythology, archeology, literature, social issues, and art history are what he describes as �the roots that feed the form and content of my work.� Pappas explains, �My paintings are usually developed around a particular theme or concept, which evolves into a series of related works that may hold my interest for several years. Now, more than fifty years later, I am still completely involved, still trying to learn and grow as a painter.�
George Pappas was born in Boston ; however he grew up in New York City and New England . His educational background includes degrees in art from Massachusetts College of Art (B.S.), Harvard University (M.A. with study at M.I.T. and Gyorgy Kepes), and Penn State University (D.ED. in Art Education).Pappas has been an artist/educator for over forty years, having taught at Northern Iowa University, Penn State University, and the University of South Florida. In 1993, he retired from the University of South Florida as Professor and Chair Emeritus of Art. His paintings have been exhibited throughout the United States in over 100 juried exhibitions including the Corcoran Biennial, Boston Museum of Fine Arts, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. He has had over thirty solo exhibitions in museums and galleries. Pappas's work is also represented in numerous private and public art collections in the U.S. and Canada , including the National Gallery of Art, the DeCordova Museum of Art, Des Moines Museum , Tampa Museum of Art, McDonald Corporation of Toronto , City of Tampa , Knoll Associates of Boston and the Neiman Marcus Corporation of Dallas .

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Arts on Douglas Group Exhibition
The Art of Printmaking
Opening reception: Saturday, July 5, 4 � 7 pm
Exhibition dates: July 5� 26, 2008
Artist panel discussion & demonstration: Thursday, July 10, 5 pm
Arts on Douglas is pleased to announce the opening of a new group exhibition entitled The Art of Printmaking . This special group exhibition features a unique collection of two and three-dimensional art works that represent various techniques of printmaking. This exhibition was open to all artists represented by the gallery. The p articipating artists are: Hope Barton , Donne Bitner , Jill Cannady, Bryce Hammond, Gretchen Nass, Lee Nesler , Mary Schimpff Webb, Jo Sinclair, Trish Thompson , and John Wilton.
Contemporary printmaking is flourishing today with artists renewing age-old techniques, printing on and with alternative materials and tools, and turning towards new digital approaches. The Art of Printmaking is an exhibition that showcases a variety of artistic expression and experimentation within the media, including monotypes, etching, collagraph, strappo, digital, and screen prints.
The Kindergarten Hell series by Bryce Hammond is an example of embracing alternative printmaking methods. Stenciling is a printing technique Hammond acquired during his years involved with the graffiti art circuits of Atlanta and New York City . This process of screen printing is slightly different from formal screen printing techniques because spray paint is used instead of ink. Hammond will also have several monotypes on display. Hammond explains, �What I have found is that if I use heavy enamel as my paint, I can then print the stencil itself in relief on cotton paper as a monotype. I use this heavy paper instead of glass or plastic to transfer the image and use a small woodblock press for the impression.�
In contrast to the free spirited stenciling technique, the works of Hope Barton and Lee Nesler offer a glimpse of the traditional printmaking process of etching or intaglio. The etching process begins when the desired image is meticulously carved into a metal plate. The plate is transferred into an acid bath and the areas that have been drawn are etched by the acid under the watchful eye of the artist. The plate is then inked and rolled through a printing press. Nesler explains, �I start with a quick sketch and develop the relationships of the idea until the impact of the composition and simplicity of the design are met. Only then do I transpose my ideas to the metal plate.�
Printmaking is a process driven art form; however, that does not mean that is without fluency or freedom. For example, New Smyrna Beach artist, Trish Thompson will exhibit two collagraph prints entitled Rags to Riches I and II . A collagraph print is a process whereby combinations of objects are placed on the surface of the plate before it is inked and rolled through a press. The result is a collage effect. Thompson explains, � I am a painter using printmaking techniques. What I enjoy is piling objects on a plexi-glass support, inking them all individually and running the plate and the objects through the press. I love the embossed surface and the impression the inked textures leave when they overlap. I'm also a big fan of the ghost images.�
The Art of Printmaking exhibition showcases the variety of visual effects that are achievable in contemporary printmaking.
In addition to the exhibition, Arts on Douglas will host an informal artist panel discussion and demonstration on Thursday, July 10, at 5pm. The event is free and open to the public. The discussion and demonstration offers a unique opportunity to learn a variety of printmaking processes first hand from the artists, but will also allow some attendees to try their hand at the art form.

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Arts on Douglas Group Exhibition

Abstract Expressions

Opening reception: Saturday, June 7, 4 � 7 pm

Exhibition dates: June 7 � 28, 2008

Arts on Douglas is pleased to announce the opening of a new group exhibition entitled Abstract Expressions. This special exhibition features a unique collection of two and three-dimensional art works that coincide with the Abstract Expressionism theme. This exhibition was open to all artists represented by the gallery. The participating artists are: Jean Banas, Donne Bitner, Gary Bolding, Marilyn Catlow, Bryce Hammond, Charon Luebbers, Carol Elder Napoli, Gretchen Nass, Lee Nesler, George Pappas, Beau Redmond, Marilynne Roland, Mary Schimpff Webb, Jo Sinclair, Trish Thompson, Alan Urban, Barbara Wagner, and John Wolfe.

The art movement referred to as Abstract Expressionism began in the 1940s, and includes well known artists such as Jackson Pollack, Willem de Kooning, Franz Kline, and Mark Rothko. This group of artists departed from the formal conventions and techniques of representational art and began to explore individual artistic expression. These artists emphasized spontaneity, gesture, color, form, and most importantly the creative process. Since then, a new generation of artists went on to create their own expressions based on, but not imitative of, those who initially forged the way.

The Abstract Expressions exhibition showcases the work of that new generation of artists by offering a wide range of artistic style, expression, and technique. Some examples include Trish Thompson's acrylic painting Linear Tracery. The amorphous shapes in Thompson's piece remind the viewer that even though a three-dimensional space is implied, the painting is a two-dimensional object. Thompson explains, �I love the quiet stability of the square as the anchoring shape. I also like the contrast of the more energetic elements of texture, mark, and color. I combine the balanced visual appeal of the square or grid with other unplanned components to create a dynamic balance.�

The gestural brushstroke is key element of Abstract Expressionism . The brushstroke is the artist's signature, providing evidence of the event or process of the work's creation. Jean Banas , Gretchen Nass, and Barbara Wagner are some examples of this dynamic gesture put into practice, whereby directness and immediacy of expression boldly confront the viewer. Barbara Wagner explains, �It is the act of painting itself, the creation of my own varied shapes and textures, as well as the orchestration of color that I find most inspiring when I am creating.�

Another example of individualized style and technique comes from Miami based artist Alan Urban. Urban's oil and acrylic painting The Second Glacier is an example of the exploration and experimentation of surface and process. Urban utilizes various paints and solvents to create subtle surface variations that reflect light and color in every shifting color field. Urban explains, �The goal is to remove, as much as possible, the artist's �hand' from the creative process. I strive to make paintings that come to be without the notion of artistic implication.�

While Abstract Expressionism is primarily non-representational, some artists include iconic figurative subject matter, like St. Augustine artist Beau Redmond's painting All American Girls (Ruben's Three Graces). Redmond explains, �My approach to the Abstract Expressionism theme is to salute Willem de Kooning, who redefined doctrinaire abstract modes with the inclusion of figurative subject matter in seething hyperactive surfaces.�

The artists participating in the Abstract Expressions exhibition utilize highly individual materials, techniques, and approaches; however, authentic expression is their common ground.

 

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Tony Savoie

New Works

Opening reception: Saturday, May 3, 4 � 7 pm

Exhibition dates: May 3 � 31, 2008

Each month one of the 57 artists represented by Arts on Douglas Fine Art and Collectibles, the downtown New Smyrna Beach art gallery, is featured in a solo exhibition. During the month of April, the gallery will feature Orlando mixed media artist Tony Savoie.

Tony Savoie's solo exhibition, New Works , is a combination of two separate series�the Command Series and Icons Incorporated. Savoie's process involves reverse painting on acrylic sheets. Savoie uses a variety of media, such as oil and spray paints, pencil, photographs, and found objects to create a bold and multi-dimensional statement.

The Command Series addresses, on the surface, one of the most accessible, loveable and often exploited subjects on earth: dogs. This series appears to be a lighthearted tribute to the canine qualities considered most admirable, such as loyalty, obedience, enthusiasm, and trust. However, a double layer of meaning exists as the admirable qualities attributed to dogs are shown to be far less appealing when transposed to humans. Savoie explains, �In addressing the gap between the potential for human decency and an often brutally cruel reality, I'm attempting to balance anger and apathy with humor and horror. I want to combine immediate and exciting painting with broader concepts, and the desire of initiating a dialog on the topic of humane critical thinking.�

The Icons Incorporated continues the ideas and questions of the Command Series. This series is a response to an overtly consumer based society. Savoie explains, �I am attempting to reduce an ideal reality to an absurdity that invokes humor and skepticism, rather than trust, blind loyalty and mindless consumption.� Icons Incorporated is narrow in focus, with the intention of enlightening in an entertaining way.

Tony Savoie had a career in advertising and graphic design before pursuing a fine art career full-time. Savoie has received the highest honors, including four museum purchase awards and numerous 1 st place and best in show placements in outdoor festivals throughout the nation. This is Savoie's first solo exhibition at Arts on Douglas .

 

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ARCHIVED PRESS RELEASES:

Kevin McNamara

The Spirit of Light

Opening reception: Saturday, April 5, 4 � 7 pm

Exhibition dates: April 5 � 26, 2008

The title of the exhibition, The Spirit of Light , will feature a collection of painterly realist and impressionistic oil paintings of landscapes and figurative interiors. McNamara's paintings reveal a careful study of color and natural light, tonal values and spatial relationships. �I work loosely with thin paint, building to more impasto passages as the work progresses,� explains McNamara, �I strive to maintain a feeling of freshness and vibrancy in my brushwork, never over mixing colors.�

McNamara primarily paints on location, preferring to interact directly and spontaneously with light and subject matter. Some New Smyrna Beach residents may have seen McNamara on the small bridge off of Washington Street , with his easel, canvas, and brushes, enthusiastically painting scenes of the city marina. �Nature is my starting point, but it is my reaction to the scene that makes the work interesting,� McNamara explains. The Spirit of Light is Kevin McNamara 's first solo exhibition at Arts on Douglas .

Kevin McNamara was born in Manchester , England of Irish parents but was brought up in Dublin , Ireland . He studied art at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin , where he received his degree in 1985. A year before leaving college he had his first exhibition when he was included in the Emerging Artists Show , organized by Guinness Peat Aviation, and that same year he took part in the influential Young Artists exhibition in Dublin . He has also worked on a number of portrait commissions and painted a mural for the Irish Pavilion at the 1992 Seville Exposition . Since then he has shown regularly in group and solo exhibitions in Ireland , England and the United States . McNamara has also spent time in the United States working as an artist in film production. Most recently, his work has been featured in the 2007 Florence Biennale in Florence, Italy and a solo exhibition at the Museum of Arts and Science in Daytona Beach , Florida .

 

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Arts on Douglas Group Exhibition

MIXED TO THE MAX: Collage, Assemblage and Mixed Media

Works by Nine Central Florida Artists

Opening reception: Saturday, March 1, 4 � 7 pm

Exhibition dates: March 1 � 29, 2008

Panel discussion: Thursday, March 6, 5:00 pm

Arts on Douglas is pleased to announce the opening of a new group exhibition entitled MIXED TO THE MAX.This exhibition features works in collage, assemblage and mixed media by nine Central Florida artists, both independents as well as those represented by the gallery. Guest curator James Murphy selected the artists for this special exhibition, which includes Ummarid Eitharong, Jane Jennings , Greg Jones, Phil Parker, Tony Savoie, Jo Sinclair, John Whipple, Lynn Whipple and John Wilton. Murphy, an art historian and former arts administrator, is on the adjunct faculty of Stetson University and Daytona Beach College .

In selecting the participants, Murphy was looking for those artists whose work truly pushes the concept of mixed media to its maximum impact. �Robert Rauschenberg said it best when he said he tried to act in the gap between art and life.� �The art of collage and assemblage combines real objects and created images in a way that blurs the line between presence and illusion,� explains Murphy.

Many of the works function as both two- and three-dimensional structures, and allow viewing experiences that tease our understandings of visual perception or perspective. Other works intrude more aggressively into our physical space, or multiply metaphoric references through a range of different media. Above all, the works exemplify the experimental and no-holds-barred approach of pushing ideas and images �to the max.�

In addition to the opening reception, Arts on Douglas will host an informal panel discussion with the curator and participating artists on Thursday, March 6, at 5:00 P.M. The event is free and open to the public.

MIXED TO THE MAX exemplifies the Arts on Douglas commitment to offering a broad spectrum of artistic expression. �I have always found group exhibitions as an interesting way to give the viewer a small glimpse into an artist's psyche. Being able to see the work, all together, studying the works individually and as a whole �gives the viewer insight into the artist's techniques, approach and sometimes a personal or emotional connection to the subject matter,� explains Meghan Martin, Gallery Director.