"Picking Up The Pieces”
 

Thursday, September 8th through Monday, October 3

The ARTery Gallery's September exhibit is titled "Picking Up the Pieces," bringing together the works of three unique artists: creative designer Bill Rabsey, painter and collage artist Liza J. Smith-Simpson, and printmaker Carol M. Mainardi. These artists each have a unique perspective on the necessary components or “pieces” that give voice to their particular art.

Bill Rabsey enjoys working with various metals in all types of conditions and shapes. Often his creations contain “found objects” that he’s discovered during his travels. Even rusting and weathered objects catch Bill’s eye because he’s drawn to their texture, color, and shapes. These elements or “pieces” form the raw material for Bill’s structural designs which he turns into wall art or free-standing creative statements. Creativity has always been second nature to Bill, who watched his grandfather paint and draw as a commercial artist. Now Bill says his home is filled with artwork and that’s where he gets his inspiration.

Liza J. Smith-Simpson has painted since she was in grammar school, which is where she sold her first oil painting. Liza uses vibrant colors in her work at the encouragement of her art instructor in college, Hyo Chong Yoo. Liza has also taken workshops with well-known abstract artist Robert Burridge, based in California and with collage artist and poet Joan Hall, a resident of Westbeth Artist Community in Manhattan’s West Village. When Liza begins a new work, her choice of colors, scenes, collage items, and acrylic skins are the “pieces” she uses to express joy, sorrow, remembrances, and new expectations. That’s why her oil paintings and collages convey moods and sentiments that go far beyond the technical aspects of painting.

Carol M. Mainardi views art as a healing medium. She interprets “Picking up the Pieces” as shifting or transitioning through the challenging circumstances of life. Carol illustrates this beautifully with her series of original drawings called “Time.” These drawings are Celtic mandalas (geometric configurations) that reveal a colorful circular frequency that has no beginning or end. Each mandala serves as a conscious detailed account of a moment in time. Essentially, these are monotypes or monoprints, known as the most painterly method among the printmaking techniques. No two prints are alike. The beauty of this spontaneous medium is that it combines printing, painting, and drawing.

You can meet Bill, Liza and Carol at their opening reception on Saturday, September 10th from 6-9 PM. Refreshments will be served. The ARTery welcomes the public to this free cultural event.

The ARTery Gallery, located in the historic Forest Hall, is a cooperatively owned and operated fine art gallery, serving the regional artists and art lovers since 1996.  The gallery features a wide array of artistic talent ranging from traditional oil, watercolor, and photography to sculpture, jewelry, textiles, pottery, and collage.

The month-long exhibit will be on display from Thursday, September 8th through Monday, October 3.