LOUISA GOULD GALLERY

54 Main St.

Vineyard Haven, MA

Martha’s Vineyard

(508) 693.7373

www.louisagould.com

PRESS RELEASE: (Martha’s Vineyard) Louisa Gould Gallery proudly presents new art of Kate Huntington, Rani Connor and Louisa Gould. Opening Reception is Friday, August 3 from 5 to 8pm. Kate Huntington’s loose landscapes and figures capture Vineyard summers, complementing Rani Connors’ ocean hued glass, stone and fresh water pearl jewelry. First time exhibited still life paintings reveal the creative depth of well known maritime photographer, Louisa Gould . The show runs through Aug 23^rd.

Kate Huntington grew up in Providence, RI. and began painting and drawing before high school. Even in high school she gained a reputation among her peers as a portraitist and many of her schoolmates have portraits of themselves that they asked her to do. There was never a second’s doubt about what she would do with her life.

She went to RISD and has worked as a representational painter based in the Providence, RI metropolitan area continuously since 1976. Her work is shown in and about New England in galleries and museums and featured in several distinguished books. Also, in the fall of 2007, about a dozen of Kate’s paintings can be spotted in various scenes on the award winning Showtime TV drama “Brotherhood”. Her paintings and drawings are found in numerous national and international private and corporate collections. She is a member of The Copley Society in Boston and a former member of The Art league of RI.

To be able to take a few pigments and create a spiritual being is my greatest pride of all. Usually, “my people” look pretty convincing on the canvas. Somehow, that’s just not good enough for me. I have a need to scratch away, redraw, wipe out, redraw, and scratch again until I find myself staring at a person that I feel like I actually know. To be able to place these newly born people into my own interpretation of a landscape is truly a sensational accomplishment. I guess to bring something new into the world that never would have existed otherwise is why I create art. Also, it keeps me somewhat sane.

I’m a painter who focuses mostly on people and landscapes. Just like the subjects that I’m so energized by, my paintings seem to be in a constant state of transition. Over the years (I’ve been painting with oils since the mid seventies), I’ve learned to trust my own intuition. I think it is best to let one’s individual style evolve on it’s own rather than be forced. My work is not a result of any particular formula. Honestly, I don’t like formulas, as they tend to lessen the emotional aspect. I think a work of art should reflect the personality of its creator.

I’d like to relay the fact that I have a strong drawing background. In 1992, for various reasons, I started an open life drawing group in Providence that is still going strong today (something I’m very proud of). Being able to draw from live models on a regular basis has a major impact on my paintings. I find that I don’t have to get so caught up on the drawing part thus allowing me more freedom to do what my inner self tells me. Though my style is always evolving, lately, I’ve taken to blocking in major shapes with color and instinctively scratching out the drawing with a palette knife. I don’t think I could ever scratch such a confidant line without regular drawing workout. From there, I might add a little more color, then perhaps a little more scratching, maybe draw with a brush, more color, more scratching, maybe I’ll wipe the whole thing out and start again… I just go with the flow, relying on my drawing skills and my strong sense of color to see me through. Finishing a painting is most difficult. Trying to “not finish “ a painting is even harder. I think that I spend more time on that. It’s a time to sit back, look, make choices, a little red here, and a spot of ultramarine there. Usually, I’ll put a painting aside so as not to overdo. I like the unfinished look. It allows the painting to breathe and provides a certain energy that I think invites the viewer in.

As for goals, I want to be an old master, doing what I’m doing, just getting better at it, going with the flow, letting the subconscious pave the way.

Rani Connor started summering in the Vineyard in 1997. She lived on Martha’s Vineyard for three and a half years, year round as the marketing director for the Black Dog. It was during this time that she fell head over heals in love with the spirit of the Island and its surrounding waters.

Drawn to the ocean and everything nautical she re-directed her passions from marketing into an active career as a designer and artist. Her paintings (acrylic and collage) reflect the island by incorporating Wampum, sea glass and nautical themes. Her jewelry is similarly inspired.

Working with only semi-precious and precious stones like coral, apatite and peridot; she keeps to the oceanic colors and a floaty feel.

Growing up in New York City she attended NYU and currently resides in Greenwich, CT. To date she has had several art and jewelry shows in Newport, Rhode Island and Martha’s Vineyard.

After having apprenticed with a jewelry designer in Greenwich for three years, Rani recently left to start her own line of jewelry, which will be on display at the opening.

Color has always been my inspiration for anything artsy. Coming to the Island I am inspired every moment by Menemsha sunsets, blue waters that turn bright turquoise along state beach, the many many shades of green poking out it's head from the dunes at Squibnocket and the intense earth tones of Aquinnah's rocks. Even on rainy days the colors of the Vineyard just intensify. When I first started working with stones I knew I found my calling. Not only did I get to play with color all day long, at the end I could wear it! A water girl like me couldn't think of anything better! Just as a sunny, colorful day can brighten even the dullest of spirits; I always hope my jewelry reflects the happiness I find in creating it. In making one of a kind designs I hope each and every person is cheered up and inspired when they wear them. I want my clients to know that a lot of thought, good energy and joy went into each and every treasure I create.

Louisa Gould’s paintings provide still moments of Vineyard life and light. For example Vineyard Feast is painted from a purchase from Net Result and fruits of Vineyard waters. This was probably my favorite painting, as I had a chance to fully interact with the lobsters, corn, mussels and oysters after the shoot and prior to the painting. I am already thinking about my next seafood and Vineyard food still life, to style, eat and paint. I have already accepted commissions from still life’s I did this Spring, so if someone prefers a fish over the fireplace I can paint that as well. Good thing as I also love eating fish. The range of objects include: blue hydrangeas, shells, fruit and some random antique objects all on a table my father had restored which has a lovely rich and warm color and texture.

Louisa studied painting growing up in school and although accepted at RISD, chose another field of full time study and a corporate career instead, however knowing she would return to art later in life. Her full time art career came sooner than she thought, in her 30’s. However during her other career in New York, she studied oil painting at both the Parsons and the Art Student League of New York. Painting is a true passion for me, as it’s from the heart and without expectations, unlike my photography, painting can be representational, abstract or any form. This series is representational. These days I paint from 10pm to 2 am, after photography shoots and the new gallery closes. It’s my time to create without the phones ringing.

While painting I ask myself the question. Of all the artists that show at the gallery, what inspired them to paint the subject? Why did they choose the palette? It is often from a series of questions, I as a gallery owner can more fully understand the mindset of the artist at the time of inspiration and or painting.

For me, this series was first inspired by the May 2006 cover of Art & Antiques magazine, which featured the 16^th century Dutch women painters. The painting was of flowers. So I took the image to Donorama’s and asked them to create a $50 bouquet, $100 later I had a beautiful bouquet with rather exotic flowers. I shot the bouquet with dramatic lighting and a black backdrop in May of 2006. However it wasn’t until February of 2007 that I started to paint these flowers. I particularly was drawn to the yellow and red flowers, colors that were absent in the Vineyard landscape at the time. I really enjoyed the reds, yellows and greens. After this I painted a series of sailing and marine paintings, “Edgartown Herressoffs Racing,” and Vineyard Fishing Boat”, I wanted a different palette than ultra marine blue, I wanted to paint something green. So off I went to Stop & Shop and bought green pears. I paired the pears with some antique pieces from the shelves, “White Vase and Pears”, and “Red Box with Pears”. I am really drawn to the rich colors of the fruit in Fruit Vase and Watermelon and Blue Vase and Watermelon. I am gratefull to be present and still while painting this series.

Please join The Louisa Gould Gallery on Friday August 3rd from 5pm to 8pm to meet the artists and view this new exhibit.

The show is open to the public and is available online at www.louisagould.com. Please note this is a new location for the gallery, at 54 Main St. Vineyard Haven.

Louisa Gould Gallery, 54 Main St. Vineyard Haven, MA (508) 693.7373. The gallery is open daily from 10:30pm to 5:30pm, weekend evenings and by private appointment.