Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Noctures: Paintings by Diana Suttenfield



Nocturnes in the Side Gallery--Oil paintings by Diana Suttenfield.

Ms. Suttenfield says:  "Inspiration comes from the land but the subject is more often 'light.' I do not try to copy nature but recreate it with the hope that my paintings start a dialogue with the viewer. I believe the real voyage of discovery does not involve seeing new landscapes, but in learning to look with new eyes at the old landscape. Recently I have discovered that painting from a still life offers the same intrigue with light.”

In this series of oil paintings, a break from her usual medium of pastels, she explores the time between daylight and darkness as it falls on familiar landscapes. Using a darker palette she has created a series interior compositions, her studio, a farm table with produce, as well as the rural landscapes of West Virginia.

Reilly Contemplates the Night and McDonald’s Farm are two paintings in this series that exemplify her mastery of brushwork.  These contemplative landscapes literally swirl with color and movement of the oil paint on the canvas, yet the subjects are a quiet home at twilight, (Reilly is the cat on the bench) and hay bales near a barn. 

Since 1968, Diana Suttenfield's artwork has been exhibited in regional, national, and European group and one person venues. A past member of the Maryland Pastel Society and Baltimore Watercolor Society, her paintings won national awards.

Visit this show, the Holiday Posters, the Camera Clique's Members Show and all the other exhibits and our Gift Gallery soon.





Saturday, October 31, 2009

Instructor Spotlight: Mark Brockman


If I were to write an adage on ‘how to go far as an artist’ based on Mark R. Brockman’s style it would be: walk softly and carry a big hat. For the past 12 years, students at the Delaplaine have enjoyed Mark’s gentle encouragement and easy-going style ~ and exquisite taste in headgear.
Teaching mostly oil painting in an open studio format, Mark Brockman guides students through composition and the use of color in classes that enjoy a loyal and dedicated following. “The Delaplaine is a great place, they give me a lot of freedom in how I teach. The building itself is great. It is a great place to see artwork, to learn how to create regardless of what medium you choose to work in.”
Working mostly in the mediums of oil and pastel, Brockman’s paintings, though representational, are expressionistic in nature with great concern for color and the physical texture of the paint. “The paint texture is as important to me as the colors and subject.”
Brockman finds inspiration in the woods, farms, and orchards that are within walking distance of his studio in Pennsylvania. “I am drawn as much to the abstract quality of what I see as I am to what the subject may be,” Brockman explains. “A stream or fallen logs are more then just that but, in themselves, are often an abstract painting.” Brockman’s hope is that in painting more common subject matter he can draw attention to such commonplace things, “and show the importance of them and that beauty can be in most any kind of subject.” Regarding his style Brockman explains, “it evolves slowly, never stops changing and I hope it never does.”




As to his hats, Brockman explains, “I like hats. My summer hat is a canvas hat made by a woman in California. It is made to be used on sailboats, it is light can get wet and I can fold it then when ready to wear it opens up as if it were never crushed. My winter hat is a replica of a hat worn in the 1860's that I bought in Gettysburg, the hatband is a Native American beaded band made, I was told, by an Indian woman in the southwest. The band is typical of the work done in the 1800's as well. My wife gave me the hatband, she is a descendant from one the tribes of the Iroquois nation, though the bloodline is quite thin now. As you can see I like my hats. Everyone should wear a hat.”
And everyone should also take a class with Mark Brockman.
Oil Painting Studio runs six Tuesdays from 1—3:30pm beginning November 3 and six Wednesdays from 6:30—9pm beginning November 4. Register online HERE

Friday, October 9, 2009

In the Side Gallery until November 15

David Bottini, for Gabriel – Romantic Realism


David Bottini signs his work as "Gabriel" in dedication to the lasting effect that his Italian grandfather had on his love of nature and forests. David is currently showing landscapes, painted in acrylic, in the Side Gallery at the Delaplaine Visual Arts Education Center through November 15. His choice of landscape subject combines saturated color and a sharp focus romantic sensibility.

His inspiration for these paintings begins by wandering in the woods, seeking the perfect interplay of branches, sunlight and shadow, then capturing the scene in sketches and photographs. The final compositions lead the viewer into the painting by means of a stream, a road or a pasture bending out of view. A few smaller works confront the viewer with a barrier of trees and branches, with sunlight sifting through.

“My paintings narrate a personal journey where a solitary moment is captured in time and stored in your memory, a glimpse of the path that leads just beyond your mind’s-eye view. Where a ragged trail, a sideway glimpsed view, a view through forest toward a distant vista, or a weather worn pasture caught in a breeze capture your interest and become frozen in memory.”


David studied art at The Rhode Island School of Design, The Maryland Institute, and The Savannah College of Art & Design. He has taught in Wash. DC area prep schools and colleges during the past 20 years and exhibits in art galleries in Washington D.C., Gettysburg, PA, Mechanicsburg PA, and Jacksonville, FL. His work is in private and commercial collections throughout the US and abroad.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

The 2009 "Rive Gauche" Art Auction is Underway!!!

Artworks for the 2009 "Rive Gauche" fundraiser are currently on display in the F&M/Kline Galleries. This is a "silent auction" (bid sheets are posted next to each artwork) and you do not have to be present at the Gala on October 24th to be a winning bidder, but it sure would add to the excitement!

The image (above, right) is of a painting by Calvin Edward Ramsburg, who also happens to teach abstract painting classes at the Delaplaine. This piece titled "Coral Reef" (acrylic on Rives BFK paper, mounted on canvas) is one of the 53 fabulous pieces up for auction and on exhibit. A wide variety of media are represented, including acrylic, oil, and watercolor paintings, collage, pen and ink drawings, jewelry, sculpture, metal and wood furniture, and hand-dyed silk clothing.

Stop into the Delaplaine to see the exhibit and be tempted! You could be the winning bidder, and give a boost to the Delaplaine (which is a non-profit) and to contributing artists, as well. And what an extra special gift you would have to give to a loved-one or to yourself!

Monday, August 17, 2009

Sacred Ground encaustic paintings by Marilyn Banner opens


Marilyn Banner's exhibit Sacred Ground is now in the New Gallery on the 2nd floor of the Center. Marilyn sent this post from her blog about the show. The Ceres Gallery is in New York.

"My 2009 CERES show is now at The Delaplaine in Frederick Maryland is up beginning August 15 and running through September 27. If you haven't seen this work in New York, please consider traveling to Frederick. Nine of these paintings have never before been seen outside of NY. Come for the reception or at any time during the rest of August and September. In addition to seeing my new encaustic paintings and the other shows at the Delaplaine, check out the town! We have eaten at two fantastic restaurants, Brewer's Alley and Acacia, both on Market Street, a couple of blocks from the Delaplaine. There are also lots of antique stores, and a generally upbeat charming atmosphere which is totally unlike the DC area or New York City. I love having my work up there!"

Monday, August 3, 2009

Geneva Girls and Other Works in the Side Gallery

Monday, August 17, 2009


Kim Curinga is a digital photographer and photo-illustrator. Her exhibit Geneva Girls and Other Works opens in the Side Gallery, Saturday, August 22. The reception will be on Saturday September 5 from 3-5 PM.

The artist talks about her inspiration for this show.
" The Geneva Girls series came about from a random purchase of a batch of old correspondence, envelopes and some letters dating back to the 1920's to and from girls incarcerated at the Geneva School. Using old census reports, of the names, family members, occupations and neighbors from the addresses and return addresses, I found myself drawn into their lives. Being unable to access prison records, and using research on the school and time period, I drew my own conclusions, at times, to what could have happened to these girls." These girls were often imprisoned for the slightest of infractions, or perceived misdeed. Kim juxtaposes "portraits" of these girls with pop-culture based female images to underscore the changes in attitude.

Kim includes the following quotes in her Artist Statement:
"I have always taken pictures the way people keep journals and diaries,of placing my ideas and feelings in a concrete form outside myself, of breaking my isolation."
Diana Michener

"While there is a province in which the photographer can tell us nothing more than what we see with our own eyes, there is another in which it proves to us how little our eyes permit us to see" Dorothea Lange

I am a digital photographer and photo-illustrator. My work derives from two different mediums, the merging of the computer and photography. The photo-montages are the result of my need
to create personal landscapes from images I feel compelled to photograph, things I need to document. They're not always pretty, and the subject matter varies with what I'm seeing around me, and what is meaningful to me.

My intent is to diary my life through my work. In the end, this is my legacy, what I leave behind, what I was, and what I hold most dear.


Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Urban Landscapes in the Gardiner Gallery


Bricklayers on Market Square an oil painting featured in the Urban Landscape exhibit in the Gardiner Gallery.

Stephen Hay has been drawing as long as he can remember; by age twelve drawing likenesses of his classmates and teachers from observation and memory. In 1978 he had the good fortune of becoming a student of Walter Bartman at Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda, MD. With Bartman he became immersed in the plein-air tradition of painting and drawing from life. After high school Stephen studied briefly with Ben Summerford, one of Bartman’s mentors, at the American University, then briefly at the University of Maryland with Bill Willis and Ann Truitt. Finally, Stephen returned to Montreal in 1984 and received a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree from Concordia University. In 1990 he lived and painted in Barcelona, Spain for one year and considers this period the beginning of his career as a professional artist. In 2002, Stephen opened Gallery 141 in Lancaster, PA with fellow artist Alana Hunter, and since 2006 he has maintained a studio in Frederick on 10 North Market Street. He is presently available to do commissions: www.stevehay.net and stephencoulterhay.blogspot.com.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Teacher Kristen Bohlander and Ann Vallandingham of Arc pose with some student/artists in front of the Community Art Wall during the Saturday 7/11 reception.

The Community Art Wall is a gallery at the Center that gets a lot of attention. Located just outside the main galleries on the first floor, it is the first thing one sees when entering the mill building. Changing monthly, July's offering Exploring Art, was created by adults with developmental disabilities. This program, conducted at DVAEC with students from the Arc of Frederick County, provides art classes and education for adults with developmental disabilities. Exploring Art provides not only art education and an appreciation of art, but builds confidence, self-esteem and socialization skills. The Center, fulfilling its role as a community-based organization, encourages these same individuals to pursue other classes offered at the Delaplaine Center. This class, taught by Kristin Bohlander, was made partially possible by a grant from Monocacy Foundation.


Drive-by Shootings and Other Related Events--It opened last Saturday and it was a big hit, lots of photographers and friends of photographers attended the reception on the second floor. Although the exhibit speaks for itself, FAPR member Richard Schlecht added some of his thoughts about the process and the outcome.

"This show--or the idea for it--was born at a monthly luncheon attended by various members of the quasi-organization Frederick Area Photographers Roundtable, a group of professional photographers from in and around Frederick.

The subject of cell phone cameras came up and someone observed that they had never seen an organized group of photos taken with cell phone cameras. Later the idea morphed into pictures, not necessarily cell phone ones, taken in circumstances that would be ripe for whipping out a cell phone and "grabbing" a shot. Unplanned, dependent entirely on the circumstances of the moment--Targets of opportunity. "Drive-by shooting", so to speak.

Not all of the pictures you see here were cell phone camera pictures, but they all do fall into the realm of "grab shots" made on the spur of the moment, with little or no pre-planning or setup.
Many of us these days are packing cell phone cameras, and those of you who feel like it are free to participate by informally "posting" your pictures on the refrigerator door. (Do not try to open that door; there is no refrigerator behind it!)" RS

Friday, June 26, 2009

2 Video Installations: July 11 - August 16 Side Gallery

Richard Schellenberg is a video artist who interprets dreams and events from his life, creating videos in the process. Although they are very personal and revealing, they also are compelling as story-telling. Read what Richard says about his work.

Superman
The installation consists of a large wall mounted sculptural frame into which a looped video is projected. The large bas-relief frame is a proscenium arch reflecting specific elements that occur in the video. The video involves a recreation of a dream I had as a six year old boy. The reason I remember that particular dream after all these years is not because it was so powerful, I thought it was fun at the time, but my mothers response to it, which frightened and confused me.
I've come to believe that my art (and life) is about returning. Not in a nostalgic sense, but looking at the past with new eyes and making connections with the present that need to be made. An artist friend of mine said of my work that it often did not go far enough. That I should recognize that the image is significant, but I need to explore why it has meaning, the release. I of course knew that, but hearing it at that particular time said in that particular way of his, sent me into a fever of discovery that led me to Superman installation as it exists today. I started to see how the dream was connected to other things in my life and particularly with my reaction to the trapped birds in the abandoned store.

Mystery/Science installation

Many years ago I was walking through an abandoned strip mall. It had been closed down for only a few months, but already nature was taking the area back. Grass was growing through cracks in the parking lot, vines covered large sections of the chain-link fence and birds lived in the abandoned buildin
gs. Looking through the window of an empty grocery store, I saw six birds lying dead, lined up four feet from the window. I responded viscerally to this heart-breaking event and all the complex themes involved, ideas of abandonment, unintended consequences, hopelessness and fear. After many years of trying to interpret that scene, I found video and audio was the best way to convey the strangeness, sadness, and wonder of that memory. While developing the project, I asked a mathematician friend to write a formula describing the arc of the bird as it flew towards the window. This formula was to be a minor element in the video presentation; however, her research, fact-finding, enthusiasm about bird flight and flight mathematics propelled this project into a much wider investigation. Her analytical response to an event that so deeply affected me emotionally was what started me into this extended inquiry about the myriad ways people organize everyday perceptions and experiences in an attempt to make them manageable.

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Delaplaine Art Blog Begins!

Welcome to the Delaplaine Visual Arts Education Center blog. Our intention is to engage community artists and art lovers in an ongoing conversation about art. The term "community" may take on different definitions, such as the region of Frederick County, MD, or a global "community of artists", but in any case, we would love to hear from friends both near and far! We hope this is just the beginning of an exciting, creative journey that we will take together. After all, we are YOUR community arts center.

From June 6 - July 19, 2009, The Regional Juried Exhibit will be in the F&M-Kline Gallery at the Delaplaine. Juror Annet Couwenberg has chosen the work from regional artists living and working within a 75 mile radius of Frederick, MD. Ms. Couwenberg, an award-winning mixed-media artist, has exhibited nationally and internationally. If you are in the area, please stop in to see the show and give us your feedback here. Also, see her Juror Statement below.

Juror statement
"It was a pleasure to be the 2009 juror for the annual regional exhibit at the Delaplaine Visual Arts Education Center a vital organization in promoting cultural activities for the region. What an honor to be exposed to a large amount of exciting art works from artists with various backgrounds and accomplishments, working in different media. I have sought to include here a number of artists whose diverse works and fresh interpretations are bound together by their roots in the traditional, but their innovations provoke or evolve into unsuspected discoveries. I was most impressed with the artists who showed a personal vision: work with strong content, creativity, imagination, and technical mastery. I looked for works that were innovative and challenge our viewpoint, question and engage the viewer. I would like to express my thanks to all artists, whose excellent art was created with devotion and awareness. Let me also extend a special thank you to Diane Sibbison, Manager of Exhibits for the smooth coordination and the whole staff at the Delaplaine Center for hosting this stimulating show."

Annet Couwenberg
Professor, Fiber Department
Maryland Institute College of Art