Artshort |
The Grand Tourby J. Tim Raymond |
|
|
Three painters of European countrysides at Redfish Art Studio and Gallery
On the second floor of an old factory building in a series of well lit, whitewashed stalls, are the confines of the redFISH Art Studio and Gallery. This collective is presently featuring the transatlantic offerings of three artists working in the traditional media of acrylic on canvas, depicting vignettes of travel in Europe. The paintings of Barbara Tanke, Ann Margaret Munley, and Jennifer Seth-Cumini take in landscapes and figures, local color depicted in photo-like snapshots that bring a sense of the visited places—vistas of coastlines and country lanes and houses. Some pieces are more formally styled in mixed media, combining cropped images on small canvas panels fixed to portions of maps relevant to the countries of England, Scotland, and Ireland, all sealed in shadow boxes.
The main body of work is Tanke’s, the result of plein d’air excursions as part of a group painting trip to the south of France near the Mediterranean in the region of the Languedoc. Here at two sites, Moux and Collioure, are painting retreats sponsored by the redFISH Gallery, where one may draw and paint what one experiences in exposure to a rural French village.
Monet, Van Gogh, and later Durain and Matisse all went to the south of France because they were broke and could not any longer stand barely eking out a living in Paris. It was relatively inexpensive to live in the south in the late 19th and early 20th century. There each discovered what the light of the Mediterranean sky did to the appearance of the unspoiled countryside, rolling vineyards, and ancient castles that inspired their palettes.
The opportunity to do just that—to be inspired by nature and the works of man in a foreign country—is a dream that resonates with many people, especially those in or nearing retirement. And the opportunity is available to those who have $2,850 dollars to spend on such a trip. Not many artists can spare the time to retreat from debt service long enough to really experience a a picturesque rural village in France. Instead, the waking life of artists everywhere is as often as not transformative mainly through the spirit of “coping” with everything outside the creative inner solo journey. Their art is their invested capital in their own lives. The paintings at redFISH affirm that such journeys may often bring the provincial to the Provencal, to the mutual investment of both.
Reader Comments
Barbara Tanke
02 Dec 2008, 15:45
I'm the artist (Barbara Tanke) mentioned in this article. As flattering as
it was to see my paintings of Ireland displayed, the article however, is in
error. The editor is aware of the error and has told me a retraction is
forthcoming. The show at RedFish ended November 15th. The majority of the
work at this show was mine (1st paragraph of article) - however, my artwork
represented the U.K. only and was result of a solo trip that occurred
several years ago. I am disabled. I have never gone to France, painted
plein air, or traveled with a painting group. The writer is speaking of
the gallery owners and other artists that are part of a group that tours to
France each summer. For anyone interested in my work - my portfolio is
http://bjtanke.com. Thank you.
Leave a Comment:
|
|
Issue Navigation> Issue Index > v7n47: Gift Guide > The Grand Tour This Week's Issue • Artvoice Daily • Artvoice TV • Events Calendar • Classifieds |
Subscribe 