“A Complement of Five” is a delightful exhibition of the works of five talented and prolific local artists at the Maser Galler (FCTV, 310 Dillingham Avenue, in Falmouth) through September 27. There will be a closing reception on Thursday, September 27, form 4 to 6 PM, during which the public will have an opportunity to meet the artists and talk to them about their work.
Adele Huestis, Ruth Leech, Kate Aubrey, Sigrid Hecker, and Betty Jameson began painting together about a year ago to offer support and friendly criticism. The five enjoy painting outside, and, though each has her own unique look, their paintings share a common vitality and appreciation for the the visual landscape.
Adele Huestis enjoys painting figures in a “light and lyrical” style, including family, friends, and people she encounters in public places–and representations of people, such as the statue in “Frog Baby 1” and “Frog Baby 2,” above. Like other women in the group, she enjoys painting in series, returning to a favorite subject matter to create another interpretation or representation.
Adele, who works in watercolor, graduated from Parsons School of Design in New York City. She studied with Charles Reid, who included four of her paintings in his book, “Pulling Your Paintings Together.”
Ruth Leech paints in oils and pastels, though all her paintings in this exhibition are oils. “Clouds,” above shows her dramatic, colorful approach to landscape painting, with bold strokes and a vibrant palette.
Ruth is a self-taught artist who studied with several local teachers, many through the Falmouth Artists Guild, which she enthusiastically supports. Her pastels have won many awards.
Kate Aubrey is a watercolorist, but also incorporates gouache, pen-and-ink, water-soluble crayon, and pastels into her watercolors. She was won awards for her work and has a fine understanding of color.
Kate has become active in several local art associations since her move to the Cape last year. She feels it is valuable to paint the same subject over and over again to really understand it and learn from the process.
Sigrid Hecker paints in oils, using vibrant colors and an impressionistic approach, such in this painting, “Boats at Menhaunt.” In her artist’s statement for this exhibit, she says, “To me painting is ultimately a solitary and self-engrossing activity. The artist’s challenge is to convey a personal interpretation of common elements, be it a dune in a landscape, the tilt of the head in a portrait, or the action in an abstract.”
Sigrid has taken courses and classes at the Art Students League in New York CIty, the Woodstock School of Art in New York state, and the Falmouth Artists Guild.
Betty Jameson enjoys painting landscapes, often without buildings or other man-made structures or people. She has won numerous awards on Cape Cod, and is also a published poet.
Adele, Ruth, and Kate met me at the Maser Gallery recently to talk about the show and their artwork for a show to broadcast on FCTV, Channel 13, Falmouth. That show can also be seen online here:
The Maser Gallery is open Sunday and Monday from 2 PM to 10 PM; Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10 AM to 10 PM; and on Friday from 10 AM to 6 PM. For more information, visit www.fctv.org or call 508-457-0800.
Notes on The Arts 