Bringing The Outside In: The “Scapes” Exhibit

*Image Detail from “Learning to be Astonished,” ©Mary Moores*

While not traditional landscapes as art lovers may now define them, our earliest depictions in art often included features of nature such as mountains or trees. The challenge that the artist faces in creating the illusion of the world around us in two-dimensional form, whether land, water, or our urban landscape, has long been one that has offered inspiration.

For the viewer, the successful artwork may convey the sense of energy and spirit of the scene. They may be reminded how shape, light, and color inform what and how we view the world around us and note how design principles are based on nature itself.

Both the Romans and Greeks favored landscape depictions on walls. Still, while artists would create preliminary sketches outside, it wasn’t until the 1800s, with the availability of paint in tubes, that plein air painting became a more realistic possibility. Advances in photography during the 20th Century led to these “scapes” becoming popular in a broader range of artistic mediums.

The “Scapes” exhibit, running from November 5th to December 14th, 2023, at the Gallery at the Old Post Office, offers a wide variety of artistic works. Visitors will note examples of both authentic plein air works and others that depict our spacious lands, water, and towns.

Eighteen artists are represented. In the remarks below, several share what engages them in such scenes and what they try to capture from it.

*“Parker on the Chesapeake,” ©Sara Swacina*

“When I create a landscape, I want to capture how it makes me feel. If the vista before strikes a cord of grandeur, then that is what I attempt to create in my art. If before me there is an overwhelmingness gained from skyscrapers and sidewalks, then I try to capture as many of those details as possible so that as the viewer sees the cityscape I have created, they too may get caught on the details. In the case of this drawing, Parker on the Chesapeake, I felt peaceful and at ease.

“Charcoal is a medium that reflects that feeling for me. It goes on the paper easily, the cleanup is simple, and it transports nicely. With charcoal, there is not the fussiness required with paints. So, I felt like the charcoal would help me capture this early September morning as peaceful and at ease.”

— Sara Swacina

“Majestic Pennsylvania skies inspired me to assemble a needle-felted landscape. I connected a natural material, the wool roving, with the subject I created. The texture of the wool was able to produce visual movement in the piece. I appreciate how art and nature both have a way of healing.”

— Alina King

“I enjoy the challenge of trying to capture the beauty of the world around us, always trying to invite the viewer to enter and explore the view. My landscapes are generally places I have visited, and I try to re-create the mood of the moment with color, light, and shadows.

“I paint because I love to paint. So, there is no great social or philosophical message in my paintings; I just want to make the viewer feel good when they look at my art. If it has made you happy, I am happy!

— Carol Little

“While creating this image, I was drawn to the layers of trees that are around the river.”

— Phillip Nevin

“This farm once belonged to my childhood friend. Not too many years ago, the family sold the farm. She has lived here her entire life, and now she is raising her own family here. There have been some changes here through the years, but she can tell you where every patch of trees is, what type of animals live in the woods and fields during each season, and where all of her family history is settled into the hills. I used to run through the fields with her as a teenager. I wanted to capture the farm as it is today with the hope that while there will be changes in the future, it will look very similar to this in another 20 years from now.”

— Gretchen Nevin

*“A View From the Plaza: Renaissance Town II,” ©Andrew T. Smith*

“The clay monoprint medium in which I work adds random elements from past prints to the finished work, so the prints are always abstract in nature. So when referring to a scene like a cityscape, or in this case, a village, I aim for the sense and feel of looking down that street for the first time.

“Scapes” often remind the viewer of the feelings brought forward when standing in the artist’s spot.”

“When I choose a landscape subject, I like it to connect with a sensory stimuli. For example, a sunrise over a landscape may connect to a song, a lavender field to a scent, a farm scene to a touch of old wood of a barn.

“Colors and a little shimmering light are always a bonus.”

— Dixie Brillhart

“When painting, I always try to evoke an emotional response in the viewer. When looking for an engaging scene, I start by looking for balance and color; I look for real-life “scapes” that are uniquely beautiful, or that can be framed in a way to capture the energy of a moment. Golden light brings me peace, so I often paint scenes that are early morning or late afternoon and usually add in Autumn colors.”

— Jamie Gerkin

*“Learning to be Astonished,” ©Mary Moores*

“My painting title is from a Mary Oliver poem:

‘Let me keep my mind on what matters, which is my work, which is mostly standing still and learning to be astonished.’ — Mary Oliver

“With the direct observation of plein air painting, I discover my subject as it presents at the moment instead of boxed within my preconceived ideas. It is for the purpose of seeing, appreciating, and celebrating.”

— Mary Moores

*“Harpers Ferry,” ©Hannah Chiacchierini*

“Scapes”
Gallery at the Old Post Office
141 Broadway, Hanover, Pennsylvania
November 5th — December 14th, 2023

Opening Reception
Sunday, November 5th
1:00 - 3:00 PM

Regular Hours
M-F, 9:00 - 4:30 PM

Exhibiting artists include:

Dixie Brillhart
Amanda Brimfield
Hannah Chiacchierini
Jamie Gerkin
Sue Greenfield
Alina King
Carol Little
Joe McClure
Jessica Montgomery
Mary Moores
Gretchen Nevin
Phillip Nevin
Matt Sheaffer
Andrew Smith
Sara Swacina
Anita Williams
Noel Wingard
Sherry Withers

Gallery Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092013279593

All works copyright the artist and/or Andrew T. Smith.

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