August's second Friday Artwalk in Colonial Beach was, as always, a great treat for the senses. Art enables us to focus on the common place and make it extraordinary. It does not matter whether a piece is a portrait that catches the nuances of another human, a landscape that brings us a glimpse of some panorama that we yearn to visit or one that is familiar and meaningful to our lives, or splashes of colors in some abstract that stimulates or soothes. Art has a magic that nothing else comes close to.
Magical indeed was my first stop. Nancy Pane Fortwengler is the featured artist at Jarrett Thor Gallery this month. For years Nancy worked in the backstage world of Ballet. Her painting of a sheer white ballet dress against a dark background took second place in the Potomac Regional Art show held recently. Dresses by themselves float seemingly in midair and the material is ghost-like and fine, and seems to be searching for a ballerina. Her landscapes are soft, romantic and dramatic. Fortwengler said that in preparing for a painting of the dresses she would have her daughter wear one and then spin and leap. She would take various pictures of her and then use those to capture the movement and light in her paintings. Do stop by and view the paintings. They are quite amazing.
At the beautiful Plaza Bed and Breakfast, Carol Resch and her husband Leo Skaggs presented some of their works. Carol is a poet as well as an artist and gave readings on the hour from some of her thirteen books. Her connection with nature and the spiritual is obvious in her paintings. Many have angel or floral themes. There is an underlying theme in all her works that is said to be reminiscent of the Baroque and Renaissance era. Her husband joins her in their love of art. His paintings are large in scope and very interesting. I particularly enjoyed paintings with large butterflies in the foreground that seem to guide you to the rest of the painting. This blend of two dissimilar subjects further adds to the enjoyment.
Wide River Galley overwhelmed me this month. I didn't know where to look first as the North Windsor Artists presented examples of their artistry. The eight women have been painting together for years. Jane Woodworth, who displayed some of her turbulent Florida sea pictures on aluminum, was actually the organizational force behind the group. It all began in an old garage in Dahlgren years ago. Eventually, it grew too large and Josh Darling, their resident Guru, built a studio on the back of his North Windsor home and a select group of regional artists emerged who painted and critiqued each other forming a tight bond. Helen Butler, Dee McClesky, Elsie Hagenlocker, Joan Limbrick, Carrrol Morgan, Robyn Ryan and Jane Woodworth all had art on display. All of these artists have their own style and all have studied extensively. The Wide River Gallery is open Thursday through Sunday and it is worth the trip to see the display of multiple mediums and subjects.
Vicky Hluchanek displayed some of her beautiful photography at the Tides Inn Bed and Breakfast. This time her paintings were not part of the show. I had seen her work there recently and was a little disappointed because Vicky is a fine artist with a wonderful style. However, I was not disappointed in her photography. I love her choice of subject matter. I especially like her animal photos. The deer in the woods with its ears alert to intruders seemed to be posing for her. She will be back in October and hopefully we will get to see some of her paintings as well.
Carol Knott had some of her work on display at Fat Freda's. She said she has been painting all her life but only started taking classes five years ago. It is hard to believe when you see her work. Her lighthouses and florals call for a home on someone's loving walls. This is the third summer she has displayed at Fat Freda's and she recalled the first time deceased owner Bud had seen her work. She didn't think she was good enough for a show and Bud took one look and told her she was indeed an artist and gave Knott her first show. And Bud was right.
The Potomac Fisheries building is a great venue to display art and this month was incredible. The show is entitled "River Fantasy" and highlights the work of three artists, Robert Wayt Smith, in oils, Marietta Dantonio-Fryer, in watercolors, and Joel T. Keener, in pencils. I think the word Wow would appropriately describe this showing. Dantonio-Fryer has many academic degrees and is chairperson of the humanities and arts department and professor of art at Cheyney University, of Pennslyvania , and holds the title of a Lindback Distinguished Educator in 2005-2006. In 1998, she was awarded "Art Educator of the Year" by the State of Delaware, and recently won the Citation award of excellence from Kutztown University. She has had numerous international exhibits. Suffice it to say, when you view her work you know in an instance you are looking at something very, very special. Two of the magnificent watercolors she brought to the building were from her visits to Ireland. One is of a pub and truly shows the warmth, gaiety and charm of the landscape and people. The other painting is of the shore and cliffs with sirens of the water calling to the men who went to sea. It is heaped in folklore and wonder. But what makes Dantonio-Fryer so unique is her compassion. Her work has been called healing art. She has worked with the US Army and US Space and Missile Defense Command assisting soldiers and their families respond to the events of trauma, especially since Dessert Storm, 9/11, and the Iraq War. The end product of "Operation Healing Arts" is a mural that hangs in the Pentagon. Two paintings and one mural are on display in a museum in Nashville. She has also helped many other groups of people who are physically, mentally, or emotionally challenged using art to transcend many of their problems.
Alongside Dantonio-Fryer is Joel T. Keener, an associate professor of art at Cheyney University and adjunct professor at Wilmington University in Delaware for art and design. He is a published author, artist, photographer, sculptor and graphic designer. Keener has also exhibited internationally at locales including the United Nations in New York and Cairo Egypt. He has an extensive list of prestigious awards. His website can be seen at http://www.mksgallery.com. This is the first time in my coverage of the Artwalks I have seen work done in pencil. It is totally fascinating. I couldn't believe how much feeling and how much of a story could be told with pencil. One such story showed a scene with woods and sprites looking out from the trees. All sorts of odd but interesting creatures abounded. It was a large drawing and each pencil line was precise. It was a living fantasy. He loves the act of creating and it is so obvious when you see this very different form of expression.
Robert Wayt Smith is inspired by the old masters such as Waterhouse, Gerome and Rembrandt. He is a realist painter with over 25 years experience as a freelance artist and illustrator. His awards are many. In 2006 he was honored to exhibit his work in Cairo Egypt as a member of the "International Artists for Peace and Humanity." He is an active member of the artist advisory committee of the Mattawomen Creek Arts Center. His work is on display in the Wayt Gallery at the Maryland Renaissance Festival weekends through October. Walking into the building, I must say the first painting I was drawn to was one of Roberts. He explained that he often used his 15-year-old niece for portraits and in viewing the picture "Innocents," I can see why. The delicate purity of the young woman curled up against the dark background representing life is absolutely riveting. You can't take your eyes away from it. When I finally did look across the room, on the opposite wall was another portrait. This was a dramatic and sultry oil of a flamenco dancer with her arms over her head in a dance move. Again, I was struck by the museum quality of Smith's work. In this room with the three artists of the show, I knew I was surrounded by something very special that might never happen to me again. When you meet greatness you know it.
Well, before we know it, summer will be over and we can look forward to the beautiful autumn days . September will find me back on the path. Perhaps I will ride the golf cart that the Artists Guild has provided and take the tour at a more leisurely pace. Once again, if you haven't taken the time out of your busy schedules to enjoy one of the walks try to do so. The art is wonderful, the gallery owners are happy to see and talk to you and in most of the venues there are delightful refreshments. You do not have to purchase anything, nor are you ever pressured to do so. But with the holidays coming up and so much of the works reasonably priced, just think what a great gift of beauty you could give a loved one. See you next month.
