Love, Lust, and Desire

A low fat alternative for your sweetheart on Valentine's Day - affordable art to tickle everyone's fancy.

McGowan Fine Art announces the opening of “Love, Lust & Desire” featuring the works of over 40 different artists. The show will run from January 31 to February 17, with a reception on February 3 from 5 to 7 PM. There is a snow date of February 10.

February is a month that inspires the romantic in all of us- but are you tired of giving the same old box of candy or vase of flowers? In celebration of Valentine’s Day, McGowan Fine Art presents “Love Lust & Desire,” an annual group show of over 40 artists. The majority of these artworks will be smaller than a sheet of paper, with prices between $25- $300- perfect for framing and presenting to your sweetheart. Or make it a date and pick out a valentine for each other. With such a big theme a lot of surprises are to be  expected. And the reception is the perfect opportunity to meet the artist who has created your Valentine!                                                  

The artists’ submissions from this show are as varied as the artists themselves. Claire Larrabee’s, beautiful, romantic jewelry will surely delight its recipient. Some of the pieces are like sweet little love notes, such as Jan Roy’s painting, “On My Mind”, or Janet Duncan’s delectable “Box of Chocolates”. Sid Ceaser’s  photographs of small plastic anime toys are sensual and humorous in their life-like depictions. Ted Arnold explores desire through a series of witty and comical prints for this show.

Some of the artists turn to animals for inspiration. Jane O’Hara’s loving portraits capture the unique personalities of animals, from bunnies to Boston Terriers. Debbie Kinson expresses love and desire through nature, such as two leaves playfully entwined in “Our Dance”, or the yearning of a bird for its worm in her luminous painting, “You Belong to  Me”.  

This is a show that will amuse and amaze. Bring your Valentine in for the gift of beauty.

Ralph Stone Jacobs: A Little Holiday Show

McGowan Fine Art announces the opening “Ralph Stone Jacobs: A Little Holiday Show”. The show will run from December 20 to January 13. The public is welcome.

 

 

Ralph Stone Jacobs lives and works in Northern New Hampshire in close proximity to the White Mountains. While Stoney often depicts the New Hampshire landscape in his paintings, this show will focus on still-lifes and portraits. Stoney is a renowned portrait painter, celebrated for not only capturing the likeness of a sitter, but also their personality. While Stoney is known for high profile commissions, such as his portrait of Jean Shaheen, the former governor of New Hampshire, this show will feature some of his more intimate portraits, including members of his own family.

Stoney’s still-lifes are small jewels, elegant in their depiction of rustic objects. The antique vessels in “Yellow Bottle, Blue Salt Shaker” are perfectly reflected on the table surfaces and are softened by shadows. The bottle and salt shaker are treated like living things, posed together against a muted background much in the style of a portrait. “Mussel Shells”, two delicate shells and a wisp of a flower, attest to Stoney’s ability to capture beauty in the most simple of objects. “Peppermint”, a small piece of cellophane wrapped candy, is tactile and delectable enough to pluck out of the painting. The show is a holiday treat for the whole family.

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 http://www.mcgowanfineart.com/, or contact at jessica@mcgowanfineart.com.

Hours: T-F 10 - 6, Saturday 10-2 and by appointment.

In Home Art Consultation

I am frequently asked "Do you ever go to people's homes to hang artwork?" To which I respond with an enthusiastic- YES! I find that there are three barriers: asking, cost and quality of my skills.

For some people the hanging of artwork is easy-peasy and for others  it is a daunting process fraught with  potential for gauche missteps, faux pas and lackluster results. For these people, admitting to a professional that they have an art hanging deficit is the first step. I am hoping I have helped you overcome this fear by letting you know that a lot of people have the same question and I can definitely help you with it.

The second hurdle is always cost. Will the cost be to bring in someone with the important sounding title of Art Consultant be expensive? If a consultant is good (and worth their fees) they should be able to see and fix problems quickly. So the hourly rate may seem high but the final bill will be reasonable. I have often waived my fees for people who are purchasing art from my gallery. It is a value add to the transaction.

The final hurdle is the dread many people feel when they invite someone into their home to change things around - "what will they do? what if I don't like it?" I try to allay these fears by finding out what are the favorite pieces of art and how is the home used. I listen carefully and then make suggestions based on what I have been told, the spaces available and if the artwork needs to be viewed from afar or close up. I place the artwork throughout the home in recommended spaces and then ask the homeowner to approve my choices. The hanging part of the job is far quicker than the decision making process. I often hear "wow, you are fast and make that look so easy."

I see many of the same problems in each of the homes I have been in. A recurring one is that buyers  tend to buy lots of small works. It may be a combination of being intimidated by the price and the bigness. A variety of scale in art will add another dimension of visual interest. It will also keep a collection from feeling to choppy- think how inadequate a luncheon-size china set  would look on a big formal table. Same idea. One way to overcome your fear of big is to take home large works on approval to see how they work in a space.

Another art hanging problem is when a piece does not relate to the space that it is hung in. Putting a small horizontal in a very vertical space isn't pleasing. The eye wants to look up and down  instead of across. Think of the space as another frame around the art. You wouldn't have a mat that is only one inch wide on the sides and eighteen inches wide on top and bottom, would you? So make the space around the art somewhat proportional too. Consider stacking two smaller pieces in a vertical space or using a very tall piece.

For more tips on hanging art work you can read my post on hanging here.
middle two photos are courtesy of  All In the Details Interior Design.