Rose Beitzell, who works with pencil, conte, pastel, oil, acrylic, metal, beads, found objects and pyrography (wood burning), resists being putting into any artistic category. Beitzel says of the collaboration, "We give freely to each other, sharing knowledge and resources and what comes of it is a learning process that is fluid and engulfing."
2-D pastels, watercolor, mixed media and jewelry are presented by Joan Humphreys. She notes that working together as a group has challenged her to think creatively in new environments and provides a new source of energy and knowing from which to draw. Deb McClure, bringing a Hawaiian inspired series of abstracts echoes Humphreys, "Working with the group has expanded my color vocabularies, design interests, and tactile experience."
Commercial graphic designer, Conni Leigh James, working with photography and mixed media, expresses the sharing among the artist friends more specifically: "I've enjoyed experimenting with clay in Tammy’s studio, and Mary Ida and Deb have gotten me excited about collage and painting with paper. I’ve also gained much by just talking with all these artists – bouncing around ideas and getting excited about new projects."
Enamel and mixed-media sculptures, mostly mobiles, are offered by Mary Ida Rolape. Rolape speaks of her experience in the group. "Before working with this group, I never saw myself as someone with the patience to work on detailed pieces. Then Conni introduced me to the magic of altered books and Tammy to art journaling and working in clay. Rose's and Joan’s mastery of metal and jewelry techniques have informed my own creations. Deb sees potential in all things, and brings them together beautifully, and Linda's joyful and exuberant creations expressing her dreams and inner self have inspired me to break out of my safety zone. It is a wonderful synthesis!" Linda Rosenthal, who is bringing her silk scarf designs and matted prints to the show, says of the alliance, "Everyone in this group thinks BIG. No limits."
"For me, it is all about community," comments Tammy Vitale. "I love the selflessness of the collaboration. It takes my art to an entirely different, and better, level." Vitale is showing her newest creations, whimsical seanettle suncatchers, along with clay wall sculptures and jewelry.
For more information, contact ArtWorks@7th 410-286-4278 or email Tammy Vitale at info@TammyVitale.com. Website: http://www. designz.com/merge_emerge.
Artworks at Seventh is a cooperative gallery with 23 artists in media ranging from pottery, sculpture, ceramics, glassware, custom art jewelry, and stained glass to landscape paintings and photographs with views of Chesapeake and North Beach, of local scenery, barns and farmland, water views, equestrian art and historic views of Washington, D.C. We also have wonderful florals and still life in pastel, oil and watercolor.
Thank you for your patronage!
Artworks is located at 9128 Bay Avenue in North Beach. Hours are 11 to 5 Thursday through Sunday or by appointment. For more information or directions call 410-286-5278 or go to www.artworksat7th.com