The
art of abstract artist Donna Atwood is unlike what most people think
of when they encounter the word “abstract.” Beginning July 5,
with the opening reception for her month-long show as Gallery 54's
featured artist for July, visitors will be entertained and even
amused by the whimsey of her art.
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| Artist Donna Atwood |
The
open reception is part of the Skaneateles July First Friday, from 5
to 8 pm.
The
next day, July 6, Atwood will share how she creates her art during a
three hour demonstration from 1 and 3 pm at the Gallery. Visitors to
the gallery will get see a unique painting technique that
involves putting textures into the watercolor background and then
going into the now abstract background and finding the images of
animals
Even
though Atwood was a science education major in college her interest
in creating art, which began as a child, continued to flourish. It
wasn't until 2012 that she started practicing watercolor, she says
describing her artwork as abstract impression. While she creates her
share of surreal landscapes her preference, as the Gallery 54 show
will demonstrate is for paintings of animals.
“I
decided to create surreal animals and found many different ones
lurking in patterns,” she notes. As she describes her work, the
backgrounds start out as abstract colors and shapes, but “by
manipulating shapes in to eyes, ears and a noses,” she can get the
viewer to see” what she sees . . . “the face and body of a
creature.”
Atwood
is particularly fond of finding animals that are endangered or under
represented in artwork generally. Many people, she notes, relate to
specific creatures or what she calls “spirit animals.” She likes
that viewers of her paintings relate to her whimsical version of
“their animal” and that the colors or faces in her paintings make
them smile.
“Keeping
the background of a painting as untouched as possible allows the
animal to grow from it,” she says, adding, “I want to express the
presence of the animal, not highlight every hair or whisker.”
Atwood's
work has received awards at the New York State Fair and well as
numerous local art exhibits. A resident of Sempronius, NY she has had
artwork shown at the Cortland Public Library, the Dryden Community
Cafe and the Gilded Lily gallery in Connecticut. Following her show
at Gallery 54 she will have an exhibit at the Cortland Guthrie
Hospital, from September through November and currently has work
displayed at the Tully Artworks Gallery.
Light
refreshments will be served, accompanied by the music of
guitarist/singer Jane Zell.
Gallery
54 is open 10 am to 5 pm Sunday through Wednesday and 10 am to 8 pm
Thursday through Saturday.
