Shape Shifting: Amy Goodwin, Rachel Gross, Sheri Tomek

McGowan Fine Art announces the opening of "Shape Shifting", a group show featuring the work of Amy Goodwin, Rachel Gross, and Sheri Tomek. This show brings together three artists who suggest three dimension space on a two dimensional surface, while approaching the genre of abstract art in different ways. The show will run March 19 - April 19, with a reception taking place March 22, 5 to 7 PM. The reception is free and open to the public

Amy Goodwin received her MFA from Yale University. She teaches foundation studies the Rhode Island School of Design, and currently resides in Massachusetts. Goodwin will have encaustic and acrylic paintings on display for this show. In her encaustics, she works quickly. As soon as the wax leaves its heat source, it begins to harden. Layers of brushstrokes are fused to the previous layer resulting in thick, icing-like surfaces. Her colorful and geometric forms seem to float over the surface. Her acrylic paintings are based on reverse painted images. "I started this as an exercise to loosen up a little. I paint the images on plastic, in reverse so I am not quite sure how the image will come out until I have adhered it to the canvas." The playful bunny and rose imagery combined with the vivid colors create paintings of definite impact.

Rachel Gross received her MFA in Printmaking from Temple University in Pennsylvania. She has served as both a faculty member and Chair of the Board of Directors at Two Rivers Printmaking Studio since 2005. Rachel Gross examines positive and negative space, creating the illusion of depth and a sense of space on a two dimensional surface. Realizing some of the limitations of printing with color, she uses florescent spray paint to create an alternate dimension. The intense primary and fluorescent colors cause some of the forms to pop to the fore as in "Red Shift", while the more subtle, gray shaded shapes create dimension on the surface of the paper. "Frank Stella's constructions have been a real inspiration. He was playful with the forms and colors which appeals to me." Gross will have prints and painted wood panels on display.

Sheri Tomek, transplanted from Nova Scotia, has been pursuing her interest in printmaking in a shared studio with Rachel Gross, near her adopted home of Hanover. Her newest prints are bolder than her previous flora based imagery. Layered plates create bold shapes which are further defined by contoured lines carved into the plate. Intersecting lines create a rhythmic pattern of white dots, creating another layer of embellishment. "I am really returning to my graphic design roots, creating logos and doing branding. These images are very simple and carry a great distance because of this." Her palette is limited but she expands it by reversing the printing order of the plates. A red block printed under a black block changes the color to maroon.

This exhibit will be on display at McGowan Fine Art at 10 Hills Avenue in Concord, NH. Please call  

Jessica Pappathan at 603-225-2515 for more information or visit our website at www.mcgowanfineart.com, or contact at jessica@mcgowanfineart.com.  Hours: T-F 10 - 6, Saturday 10-2 and by appointment.