by Elizabeth Monks Hack
Welcome back art! The Cypress Gallery is pleased to announce its reopening after several months of closed doors. Our August show is a vibrant display of exceptionally strong and colorful art, an antidote to the gloom that has surrounded us of late. Featured artist Christine Jeszeck has hung a remarkable show in the front gallery, entitled “Pigment of My Imagination,” whose paintings delight, surprise and astound us for both their imaginative subject matter and technical mastery. Jeszeck is adept at multiple styles that include abstraction, naturalism, acrylic pouring, stroke work and trompe l’oeil, often combining them to create truly surprising works of art.
Her breadth of subject matter is a revelation. Magnificent “pours” swirl around dancers, mermaids and aquatic creatures, an effective correlative to the motion of the fluid technique. A diverse assortment of flora and fauna inhabit liquid environments imagined by the artist, who has the ability to plan and control the extreme spontaneity of thick acrylic paint poured from a jar. Amoeba-like shapes emerge and embellish the wintry space of a winsome fox in “On the Prowl” as convincingly as they do of a lovely rose in the painting “Nostalgia.” Jeszeck’s standout skills are color and composition, most keenly felt in her purely abstract work. The painting “Life Force” is a tour de force of her power as an artist, taking the viewer through veils of paint and glowing orange depths.
The walls of the main gallery are a shock of color, adorned with boldly conceived and elegantly rendered paintings. One impressive charcoal drawing, however, stands out in contrast. Liz Poulin Alvarez’s “Juniper on Sierra Ridge” displays a sinuous, vigorous energy through aptly placed strokes, characteristics that are also found in her small landscapes. Children of all ages will delight in Claudette Carlton’s large watercolor “How Now Purple Cow,” whose cow looks out at the viewer with a coy eye. Kathy Badrak has contributed intriguing multimedia abstractions that playfully engage the viewer in a visual game of hide and seek. In “It’s Complicated” we discover a treasure trove of art materials from corrugated cardboard to cheesecloth.
Unique this month in the gallery is the grouping together of numerous works of art by a single artist. Neil Andersson has been busy painting during the sequester and has produced new wonders for us to enjoy, including the jewel “Threatening Weather.” Vicki Andersen shows bold paintings of the southwest, creating an astonishing visual presence. Bill Morson’s pitch perfect color photographs on aluminum make for a sumptuous display of life in our valley. Tom Chrones’ photographs explore our locale through studies of form and light. Diane Atturio’s love of nature is in full bloom on the walls. Lee Hill displays several striking still lifes. The unique vision of Carol Kemp can be appreciated up close and personal, in the form of numerous three-dimensional spirit collages.
Visit the gallery for an uplifting experience during subdued times. Along with masterful art we offer artistic gifts and cards to brighten your day. Cypress Gallery has been made as safe as possible for visitors, with all recommended requirements and restrictions in place. Our gallery hours have been reduced to Saturdays and Sundays during the month of August. Call for special appointments.
The Cypress Gallery is operated by members of the Lompoc Valley Art Association, a 501c(3) non-profit organization committed to expanding and supporting access and exposure to the arts in the Lompoc and Santa Ynez Valley. Find us online at <lompocart.org> <facebook/CypressGallery> and our eZine at <https://issuu.com/santaynezvalleyarts>