February winners announced at Exeter Art Gallery
EXETER — The Seacoast Artist Association has announced their two winners for the February theme show "Let Me Show You What I Love."
Best in Show went to Marlene Zychowski of Barrington for her oil painting “A Kiss for You!” “I have become more fond of still life painting every day,” she tells us. “There is endless variety and inspiration just from simple items found around the home. I strive to be more creative in subject matter and perspective apart from what most consider traditional still life. And what's more fun to paint than our memorable childhood candy!”
Zychowski is an award-winning oil and pastel artist. Encouraged at a very early age by her artist aunt, she began painting in oils and continued painting through her college years. "I remember my artist Aunt (RISD) sending me subscriptions to American Artist Magazine for many years. She encouraged me to always keep painting and never give up on my art."
In 1983 she graduated Cum Laude with a BFA Degree in Graphic design from The University of Bridgeport. After raising a family and completing a 26 year career in marketing, she retired and now continues to pursue her true passion, fine art painting.
Zychowski enjoys painting still lifes and landscapes, and excels in pastel animal portraits.
The People's Choice Award winner is chosen by the gallery patrons, many of whom attend the Second Friday receptions. Their favorite oil painting was “My Gal” by Exeter artist Richard Page. “My Gal” is an acrylic of my wife of 38 years, Marynia. My goal here was not only to capture her likeness but especially the beauty of her blue eyes and sauciness of her expression. I have recently retired and begun painting. I took some art classes in the early 70’s at UNH, earned my Bachelor of Architecture degree at a six-year work/study school in Boston (BAC) and took one evening painting class with Tom Glover at Sanctuary Arts in Eliot a few years ago while I was still working. My career was in building, mostly residential renovation work on older buildings in Boston and in the seacoast here.
“I’ve completed about 15 paintings since I retired a little over a year ago. ‘My Gal’ was around the sixth one. I’ve painted mostly landscapes, one still life and a couple of portraits of pets. I am comfortable with composition and value relationships learned from school, work experience and drawing. Mixing and understanding the use of color is a new focus I’m learning about as I go. My tendency is to draw and construct the painting and then fill in the lines with colors, like a child’s coloring book. I’m trying to become a ‘painterly painter’ where the elements within a composition are tonal abstractions that are built with brush strokes and evolve into recognizable images. I fight the urge to immediately render and refine everything and am constantly reminding myself that doesn’t work. I’m trying to learn to capture the light and lead the viewer into the essence of what it was I experienced and nothing more. Not easy!”
“Let Me Show You What I Love’ will be on exhibit through Feb. 25, when the gallery will be receiving submissions for their March show “Shadows and Light.” All artists are welcome, and rules and forms are available at secoastartist.org. Artists can also become members here. The Seacoast Artist Association gallery is open Wednesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, from 1 to 4 p.m. Artist receptions are held the second Friday of the month and the public is invited. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: February winners announced at Exeter Art Gallery
