VERSIONS OF PROVENCE - Each series of works that I do is the result of the inspiration I receive after traveling. The places I visit may be new to me or a return to a favorite haunt.

In this show the stimulation came from a three-week trip to Dieulefit, France in La Drome area of Provence. I was teaching a workshop in watercolor there, basing my daily lesson plans on color. When looking over the studies I did there on location, I decided to combine the color theories and some of the compositions in my new series.

The first works I did were watercolors of the landscape, very simplified, but drenched in the colors of the area.

The study I did of a beautiful Romanesque Church in le Comps, led to the second version of the series represented in collage. Instead of predictably illustrating the church, I cut several abstract shapes of the building and began by printing monotypes. The pieces became more abstracted when I collaged with them papers I had printed, and combined the collages with separate panels of bright complimentary colors. This led to making several collage and color panels that could be combined to create a larger statement.

The third version was accomplished on wood panels giving me a completely different surface on which to work. Using some of the church abstractions at first, I then decided to use symbols of the region as well. Each of the twelve-inch panels has a minimum of twelve layers of gesso, modeling paste, acrylic, and glazes on them. I like the contrast of the matte finish of the collages with the shiny glazes of the wood panels. The panels have been arranged in clusters, rows, totems, and scattered formations to enable collectors to again create statements to suit the spaces required.

Three versions of Provence were very exciting interpretations for me and unique to my previous exhibitions.

About The Gallery At First Parish

The Gallery At First Parish opened September 17, 2000.

Its purpose, as described by the founders:

The mission of The Gallery At First Parish is to add another dimension
to the spiritual fabric of our lives by exhibiting the work of visual artists
who seek to contribute to a deeper understanding of the human condition.

The Gallery is intended to be a service to the parish, the artist and the wider community.
It is open to the public without charge 9 AM – 4 PM weekdays, and 9 AM – 12:30 PM Sundays.
Gallery exhibits are listed in the First Parish Event Calendar.

Gallery Exhibits

Gallery Committee

Mary Jo Rines
Winky Merrill
Toni Junkin
Carol Hinckley
Karen MacDuffie
Betty Lou Marple
Wendy Wrean
Ellen Touart-Grob