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wall sculpture

by Takenya

The Water Show

Gallery U’s latest exhibit is entitled, “Water.”  It is a fitting theme for our Summer time show. The art work included not only portrays water, but also mimics the flow, color, and other traits specific to water. “Water is a beautiful complement to our June art in the Boutique Series: “Paintings of the Jersey shore” by Stephen D’Amato. D’Amato’s water color work will be on display from June 10-July 4, 2016 as part of the Art in the Boutique series.

   Stephen D’Amato is a watercolor artist who lives in Westfield, New Jersey. He frequently draws inspiration from the Jersey Shore. In his series, “Paintings of the Jersey Shore” completed between 2004-2015 D’Amato draws inspiration from street scenes, buildings, and waterfront areas in Asbury Park, Cape May, Ocean Grove, Sea Girt, Spring Lake and the Wildwoods. Stephen D’Amato creates familiar scenes that are sure to resonate with those familiar with the Jersey shore.

   The Summer season engenders longing for the beach at the Jersey shore. The New Jersey coast is the quintessential recreational destination for the States indigenous population. Man’s relationship with the Oceani s part of an age old and ongoing legend. The sea is a power that has captured  the human imagination from time in memoriam. The interpretation that the artists  render in our present show stirs the imagination. It is a fitting and successful exhibit.

   D’Amato is inspired by interesting shapes, patterns, light and shadows that define the subject matter. He finds his inspiration by connecting to the past as represented in what amounts to a spiritual connection. He finds that connection in the otherwise mundane.

   Twenty two other paintings by upcoming local artist grace our wall as part of our “Water” show. I will examine four that impress me the most:                                                       

“Peaceful Moments” by Gloria Verdone is an idyllic scene that is very apropos for the present season. A lone woman draped in a beach wrap sits on the shore on a wooden chair. She is thoroughly engrossed in her reading material. The tone of the painting is somewhat muted, suggesting that it is a cloudy day. The ocean appears turbulent replete with whitecaps. A bucket that is adumbrated in the background is banged-up and obviously very old and weathered. I Personally enjoy spending time at the Jersey shore relaxing in the manner that is portrayed in Verdone’s painting. It evokes memories from my own pleasant experience.

   Alison Harper’s submission, “Receding Tide,” does some interesting things with light and color. It is a scene reminiscent of early childhood vacation days at the Jersey Shore. It appears to be late afternoon judging by the position of the sun in the sky. Lone footprints representing solitude are the image at the forefront of this painting. The late afternoon is a relaxing time of day. The muted illumination as Harper portrays it is calming. The art puts one at rest.

   “Surfer 2,” by a photographer that only identifies themselves as Lenga presents the viewer with the energy and power of the ocean. Not having much experience with art form of photography, I am puzzled as to how the photographer produced such an image. That the surfer is youthful is somehow successfully conveyed. He is wearing a wetsuit which could mean the late summer or early fall season. The time of day is dusk; a time of quite reflection, but the turbulence of the waves interrupts any meditative stance. There is a string of lights in the background of the photo that are inexplicable. They are difficult to place in the context of the photo. I do not know how the photographer produced them. Lenga’s work remains an enigma for me.

   Lynn Paran submitted a water color painting, “Ice Cave.” It is by far the most upbeat, colorful entry to our present show. Paran presents us with swirling shades of aquamarine. It strikes us as an ocean colored funnel of a tornado. Its base, from which the swirling funnel originates is actually orange. Crystalized white flakes stick to the top of the painting, no doubt the inspiration for the title of the work. Paran evokes a certain sense of agitation. It is a work that is striking in its presentation.

   The recreational activities that are available in New Jersey during the Summer are well known. The State attracts visitors from many other locales. As is demonstrated in our present exhibit, New Jersey is a summer time mecca.The Summer season engenders longings for the Beach at the Jersey shore. The New Jersey coast is the quintessential recreational destination for the State’s indigenous population. Man’s relationship with the ocean is part an age old, and ongoing legend. The sea is a power that has captured the human imagination from time in memoriam. The interpretations that the artists render in our present show stirs the imagination. It is a fitting and successful exhibit.

 david s. 

 eric l. 

 Mermaid collection by Takenya

T-shirt design by David S.

Candyland Painting by Tosh K. 

Wall sculpture, handcrafted out of recycled window blinds

artist: Ryan S. 

 Takenya

 Custom handcrafted bags by Marlene

Some Funky Creations by Marlene, using recycled and upcycled materials