RiverWinds Gallery at 172 Main Street in Beacon offers a unique holiday shopping experience. Our artists offer one-of-a-kind gift for that special people on your list, an original gift -- handmade by a local American artist -- that says you care. We have brought in new artists for the holiday season – Marika Blossfeldt, Beth Weintraub, Caimig Cheung, Susan Bishop, Jeep Johnson and more plus we brought back some of your favorite featured artists - Janine Lambers, Hiro Ichikawa, Kari Feuer, Jennifer Konig, Robert Rodriguez, Jr and Ed Vermehren.

In addition, many of our current artists have brought in new work.  Come start your holiday shopping in style. Free gift wrapping and Gift Certificates are available.

Special for the holidays we have handmade ornaments by Virginia Donovan, Emma Crawford, Allison Cross, Jan Davis, Theresa Gooby, Jeep Johnson and Alexis Lynch.

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Virginia Donovan

Snow Baby Ornament by Emma Crawford (There is a wonderful story behind these Snow Babies....a remembrance to go with each ornament)

Holiday Cards by Virginia Donovan, Allison Cross, Alexis Lynch, Tony Volpe, Linda Hubbard and Mary Ann Glass

Holiday Cards by Allison Cross

New Work by Sara Pfau - Beacon Necklace....

New Jewelry artist - Caiming Cheung - sterling silver necklaces and pins

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New photographs by Robert Rodriguez, Jr

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New Artist Beth Weintraub...

New book by Beacon artist Marika Blossfeldt

Essential Nourishment
Recipes from My Estonian Farm
By Marika Blossfeldt

Visually stunning and potentially life-changing, Essential Nourishment is an integrated cookbook and nutrition guide fusing an appreciation for the sensual pleasures of natural foods with a sensible approach to nourishment. Essential Nourishment — once and for all — ends the confusion around food. It is your feel-good guide to living well, one delicious meal at a time, one nurturing action at a time. Marika Blossfeldt was born in Estonia, grew up in Germany and currently divides her time between Beacon (NY) and Estonia. She studied painting in Berlin and contemporary dance in NYC. She was a featured soloist in the New York dance scene during the 80's and 90's. Today, she is a renowned kundalini yoga teacher and holistic health coach. In the late 90's Marika restored a traditional farm complex in her native Estonia and transformed it into an international arts and wellness center, called Polli Talu Arts Center. During the summer she facilitates yoga, wellness and cooking retreats there.

Even Santa came to her book signing event at RiverWinds on Nov 27.

Exciting news! Two Estonian cookbooks have been nominated for the prestigious GOURMAND WORLD COOKBOOK AWARDS 2011. The “Best in the World” winners will be announced at the awards event during the Paris Cookbook Fair in March 2012. And Marika Blossfeldt's book - ESSENTIAL NOURISHMENT, Recipes from my Estonian Farm - is one of the nominees!! Congratulations Marika!!

for more information about Marika and her book

Hiro Ichikawa is back with incredible etchings..

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Blue Valley

Juncturell

And Paola Bari has new work

Summer Cricket

Our RiverWinds Artistic Appetizer book last year was such a success last year, we are doing a RiverWinds Just Desserts book this year: favorite recipes and samples of their art by the artists at RiverWinds Gallery in Beacon, NY. The art ranges from stoneware to oils, from photos to colored pencil drawings. The desserts range from easy to assemble to masterworks to impress your friends. A perfect gift for the holidays! A perfect hostess gift!

plus holiday cards and card gift packs by Robert Ferrucci, Allison Cross, Alexis Lynch, Mary Ann Glass, Virginia Donovan, Anthony Volpe and Linda T Hubbard.

Anthony Volpe

For the home decor we have fine art landscape and nature photographs Jennifer Konig, Michele Rivas, Robert Rodriguez Jr, Mary Ann Glass, Linda T. Hubbard and Karl LaLonde.  There are wonderful paintings, drawings and mixed media work by by Janine Lambers, Hiro Ichikawa, Beth Weintraub, Kevin Cook, Kari Feuer, Lee Haber, Theresa Gooby, Jamie Grossman,  Robert Ferrucci,  Allison Cross, Ellen Lewis, T.S. McFadden, Alexis Lynch, Rick Price, Anthony Volpe, Beth Weintraub and Virginia Donovan plus painted porcelain by Paola Bari.

Jennifer Konig - photograph

Jennifer Konig - photograph

There are wonderful vases, earring holders, mugs, trays and bowls by Marilyn Price, Woodcrest Potters Jennie Chien, Tinya Seeger, and Maryam Ali plus salt shakers by Gordon Czop.

For that special woman on your list we have warm scarves and shawls by Kelly Newkirk.  Lucious skeins of hand-dyed yarn are also available.

There is a wide selection of jewelry - earrings, necklaces, and bracelets in silver, crystal, glass, and semi precious stones by Carolyn Baum, Paola Bari, Jan Davis, Virginia Donovan, Virginia Goggin, Julie Siegmund, Emma Crawford, Sara Pfau and Mary Ann Glass. And 2 new artists - Caimig Cheung and Susan Bishop.

Carolyn Baum has brought in new jewelry..

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New pendants by Jinny Goggin - wired wrapped stones and shells - many colors

For that special man on your list we have wonderful truck photos by Karl LaLonde,  Hudson Valley landscape and aerial photographs, warm scarves, landscape paintings, and mugs. There are also calendars by Robert Rodriguez, Jr and Mary Ann Glass and Bridge Music by Joseph Bertolozzi.

Linda T. Hubbard who found beauty in the recent autumn snow storm .. new photographs

Autumn Snow - 24 x 20 photograph

Autumn Snow scenes - 10 x 10 photographs

Mary Ann Glass's new encaustics make wonderful special gifts..

We brought back a favorite print by Robert Ferrucci

Winter Cardinal

We loved Ed Vermehren's joyful art so much that we kept a few of our favorites - plus his small tiles make wonderful gifts. Ed Vermehren also painted outside RiverWinds Gallery – Saturday November 19th. Great fun to watch him paint.

Natural Stone Tiles with Ed's paintings - wonderful small gifts of art

Red Autumn - 24 x 18

Loves Burnt Orange in Fall - 24 x 18

And we have wonderful Kevin Cook's Hudson River images

Stately Hudson - 5 x 7 oil - sold

Hudson River Scapes - Paintings by Ed Vermehren

October 8 - November 7, 2011

Artist Reception October 8, 5 - 8pm - Beacon Second Saturday

River Winds paint out days are Sat October 7th, 8th, 21st and 22nd 12to 5pm. All are welcome to join Ed to paint outside River Winds.

Kalediscopic Breeze 48 x 24

RiverWinds Gallery, 172 Main St, Beacon, presents new work by Ed Vermehren. His paintings use vivid colors to depict the brighter side of life, ranging from serene nature scapes and heroic trees to infrastructural or industrial intrusions on nature. The artist reception will be on October 8, 2011 5 - 8pm, Beacon Second Saturday.

Red Autumn - 24 x 18

Ed's motivation stems from a dichotomy found in his personal life between nature and industry. His art ranges from serene nature scapes and heroic trees to infrastructural or industrial intrusions on nature. This can be seen in his interpretations of bridges, boats and buildings. In fact, some of his tile reproductions represent a culmination of an industrial mindset as a base for serenity in his paintings.

Newburgh-Beacon Bridge 30 x 24

"Where green space meets water is where my art will flourish. I feel this is also true for community's as a whole. One of the influences on my art is the revitalization of towns and city's along the Hudson. I love the way many of our city's and towns are walkable and keep people out of cars......this builds a scene of community, and encourages small businesses to thrive. Especially with the popularity of the Hudson Valley & Dutchess Rail trails connected by the Walkway over the Hudson which are current themes in my art. "

Leaning Tree 24 x 18

Ed is a self-trained lifelong artist with experience in many types of media ranging from photography to paint and ink. A Beacon resident for over 7 years, he is a lifelong Dutchess County Resident. Ed is the director of the Beacon Figure Drawing Sessions at Spire Studios, one of the first artist studio complex devoted to keeping affordable studio space available to artists in the City of Beacon.

Red Sail 30 x 24

Ed's current works of art include Prussian Trees, Boats and Bridges of the Hudson Valley. He also has created reproductions of his paintings on hanging stone decor tiles. The designs he has chosen truly reflect the brighter side of life. Turn the smallest space in your home into a gallery to enjoy whenever you wish! Each tile is made at Ed's studio and will be on sale this October at River Winds Gallery.

Colonial Springs Oak Tree 30 x 24

Natural Stone Tiles

Ed painted on Saturday October 8th and here is what he painted

Loves Burnt Orange in Fall - 24 x 18

September - Beacon Open Studio Samples

August 13 - September 5 - Ellen Lewis

The Horizon Line: New Paintings

RiverWinds Gallery at 172 Main Street in Beacon, New York presents “The Horizon Line – New Paintings” – Ellen Lewis.   Her vibrant use of color creates textured landscapes with smooth wood tones, and organic textures capturing a sense of the unknown and provoking imagination. An artists' reception will be held at RiverWinds Gallery on Beacon's Second Saturday August 13, 4 – 7 p.m. and the show will run through September 5.

The View - 22 x 28

Since Ellen's first gallery show seven years ago her paintings have evolved with her vibrant use of color and composition.  "This style on display is extremely different then I have ever done in my life as an artist. After a random emotional trigger, I put a lot of paint on a canvas and started moving the medium around. I truly enjoyed the journey of this discovery.  I get excited to 'make a mess' (that is what I call creating art without limits). says Lewis.  “Painting is an expression of solitude and joy”. This emotion is reflected in the bright colors and fiery nature of some of her landscapes. 

Reside - 22 x 28

Initiate - 24 x 24

Vitality - 36 x 18

Born in Queens, NY, Ellen now resides in Sandy Springs, GA and spends approximately four months a year in her hometown Floral Park, NY and in a rustic family cabin in Harriman State Park, NY.   In 2001, she founded her freelance business as a commercial and residential color consultant, muralist, and faux finish specialist.  In addition to RiverWinds Gallery,  she is also in a well-known and respected Georgia gallery. She is also being sold worldwide to corporate and private establishments by a renowned fine art publishing company. Lewis’s works are in private and commercial collections nationally and including private commissions.

Immerse - 24 x 20

Scant - 20 x 16

The City - 18 x 36

Green Shores - 24 x 19

Warm - 24 x 19

The Breeze - 24 x 19

Tulips - 21 x 7

Hush - 10 x 12

Stark - 10 x 12

Behold - 10 x 24

Lament 12 x 12

Lure - 12 x 12

Lyrical - 12 x 12

Artist's Reception: August 13, 4-7 pm

Ellen Lewis and her Dad

Come see our RiverWinds Gallery Windows on Main Installation by Myra Kooy! "Above the Weeds" Fifty Businesses along Main Street have Art Installations in their windows - now through September 10. Come to Beacon to see them all!

 

July 9 - August 7 - Beacon Perspectives - Two Locations: Riverwinds Gallery and the Howland Cultural Center

To celebrate its 8th anniversary, RiverWinds Gallery is featuring a group photography show, Beacon Perspectives, from July 9 to August 7. The show, which consists of images of the city of Beacon and its environs, will be at both RiverWinds Gallery, 172 Main Street, and at the Howland Center, 477 Main Street, Beacon.

Participating photographers are Lori Adams, Jessica DeLoe, Angelo Dounoucos, Jerry Freedner, Mary Ann Glass, Linda T. Hubbard, Jennifer Konig, Karl LaLonde, Franc Palaia,  Michelle Rivas, Robert Rodriguez, Jr,  and Anthony Volpe.

The 3 owners of RiverWinds Gallery – E.Virginia Donovan, Mary Ann Glass, and Linda T. Hubbard – decided to mark the gallery’s 8th anniversary by jurying a photography exhibit that shows off the diverse beauty of Beacon.  To make it even more special, for the first time RiverWinds is expanding the show to the historic Howland Center, on the other end of Main Street.  

These photographers show that there is not just one Beacon.  The images highlight Beacon’s past and present.  Photos capture the handsome remains of the old factories, the turbulence of Fishkill Creek as it spills its way to the Hudson River, the scene along Main Street, Beaconites -- working and hanging out, the sweeping architecture of the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge, the tangled foliage of Madame Brett and, of course, the glory of the Hudson River.

But - can you name where all these images were taken?

THE ULTIMATE BEACON TEST
Sponsored by RiverWinds Gallery

Contest Rules:  One entry per customer.  Beacon Perspectives artists are ineligible.  The winner will be the person who identifies the most specific locations from which the show photos were taken and at the earliest entry date.  The photographs are displayed at two locations:  27 pieces in RiverWinds Gallery, 172 Main Street and 36 pieces in the Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main Street, Beacon, New York.  The winner will be contacted by phone or email.  Submissions must be completed and delivered to RiverWinds Gallery before August 7 by 6pm (end of show).  The winner will receive a $1 per correct answer (max of $63) Gift Certificate from RiverWinds Gallery.

Come to the Gallery then go to the Howland Center and start you hunt.

Here is a sampling of some of the artists and their photographs in the show:

Michele Rivas -

Jennifer Konig

Jessica DeLoe

Lori Adams

Jerry Freedner

Angelo Dounoucos

Robert Rodriguez, Jr

Franc Palaia

Karl LaLonde

Mary Ann Glass

Anthony Volpe

Linda T. Hubbard

Beacon Falls

Beacon, NY

June  11 – July 3, 2011 Of Things Past, Photography by Lee Anne Morgan, 

Arcadia Sunrise - 17 x 22

RiverWinds Gallery will feature photographer Lee Anne Morgan, Of Things Past, from June 11 - July 3, 2011.  The artist's reception was held June 11 (during Beacon’s Second Saturday), from 5-8 pm.

On the Hudson River - 18 x 29

"Fifty years ago I traveled much of this country as a performing artist (dancer, singer, and actress)," says Ms. Morgan. "Now my journey in and around this land we call America is with my camera and journal.  Interdependent, they document a duality in perspective … one of fifty years ago and one of today. For me, it is a thrilling journey that nudges me into the past stirring old experiences that were long ago placed into the folds of my memories, insists that I stand aware and alert for an “instant sketch” of today’s present moment, and offers the potential of an image that creates a foretelling of the future in subtle abstraction — if I am patient.

“It has been said that I ‘paint’ with my camera, and oftentimes I do,” she says.  “The results surprise, delight, disappoint and drive me back again and again to capture some thing, a lone tree in the stark landscape of winter, a boat on the water as the fog almost obscures the horizon,  sunrises and sunsets that are filled with untold mystery, a pair of grand old trees that stand with the abundance of spring’s first fruiting, a thickened fog shrouding the landscape with a hint of Merlin’s magic,  the ocean’s surf at rest as dawn’s light begins to caress the seascape or the monastery bell ringing as a Buddha sits calmly in a vast meadow surrounded in the morning’s blue mist, and oh, so much more."

Great opening reception on June 11 - Beacon Second Saturday

Art Guitar by Ed Vermehran - Art Guitar Auction was held June 18 - 6:30 Marion Royale Gallery to benefit the Beacon Riverfest.

For info about the Art Guitar Auction and Beacon Riverfest - www.beaconarts.org

May 14 - June 6 - "Contemporary Landscapes" by Kari Feuer

Marshlands - oil on canvas 30 x 34

RiverWinds Gallery, 172 Main St, Beacon, NY presents Contemporary Landscape Paintings by Kari Feuer. Kari's response to the beauty of the landscape is to try for a fusion of atmosphere and solidity to reflect the serenity she feels being in nature. The opening reception for the show is May 14, 2011 (Beacon 2nd Saturday) 5 - 8pm.  The show will run through June 6, 2011.

"In order to avoid being sentimental or manipulative, I find myself focussing more on the painting process than on a realistic portrayal. I let the paint itself stand in for the subject. It could be the dry brushing of the particles, to indicate the frailty of the image in the atmosphere. Or slathering, scraping, eroding the lost color buried in layers. The focal point shifts, sometimes looking for the microscopic beauty in nature, or perhaps flying out to aerial views.

Although striving for a distillation of my initial responses to the mystery of a scene, I often begin a painting with a representational sketch or photo reference, then let the dream, the light and the season give their direction to the conceptualization of the painting process."

Kari has a B. A. in design, University of Washington and has studied at Parsons School of Design, New York, NY, Art Students League, Barrett Art Center, Woodstock School of Art, Bard College, and National Academy of Design. Some of the artists that she has studied under include
Elizabeth Mowry, Wolf Kahn, Christie Scheele, Christine Debrosky, Karen O'Neil, Pam Sheehan Kuliche, Jenny Nelson and Laura Battle.

Orchards and Wildflower - 34 x 30

Pond and Trees - 11 x 14

Water Murmur - 30 x 34

River Sunset - 30x24

Northern Marsh - 30x40

Stream in the Woods - 24x24

Tivoli Bays Clouds - 24x30

April 9 - May 8 "Impermanence" by Janine Lambers

"Woman 1", 18 1/4" x 5 1/2", shades of gold / silver on gesso panel, unvarnished, $800 (note image is a single panel - but the light changes how it looks)

RiverWinds Gallery, 172 Main St, Beacon, NY presents “Impermanence” – gold and silver leaf panels by Janine Lambers.  Art like life is constantly changing.  Janine’s images change based on how you perceive them, how the light is reflected and over time how the aging process changes the colors of the silver and gold. The opening reception for the show is April 9, 2011 (Beacon 2nd Saturday) 5 - 8pm.  The show “Impermanence” will show through May 8, 2011.

"Men" shades of gold/silver on gesso panel, unvarnished, 24" x 12",    $ 1,100 (note image is a single panel - but the light changes how it looks)

The art in this exhibition is made with ‘impermanence and solidity’ in mind. Everything is constantly changing. Therefore everything is impermanent. The factor of impermanence is shown through the choice of different gold and silver leaf. The more pure the gold leaf the less it will change its color, the more silver content in it the more it will darken over time.

"Tree with Branch" - shades of gold/silver on gesso panel, unvarnished, 16" x 24"     $ 1,500

"In addition I also challenge my concept of ‘solidity’. I perceive everything to have a solid core, an identifiable form. But with closer inspection I come to understand that what I see as a solid mass has merely a higher density. This density varies and opens up to where boundaries interweave and connect – where the different forms obscure into one another.  Ultimately, everything starts as a speck and will eventually disintegrate into many specks of life again."

Janine was educated under the auspices of Germany's guild system by way of a traditional three-year apprenticeship program. She apprenticed in Hamburg and graduated to become a professional gilder and restorer.  Restoration of gilded and polychrome surfaces has been her professional career for well over 15 years. "During this time I developed a deep understanding and reverence for the gilding craft and its use as an art form. Over the past 4 years, I have been creating and transforming the ancient process of silver leafing and its traditional embellishing techniques into contemporary works of art."

"Woman 4" - shades of gold/silver on gesso panel, unvarnished, 24 x 12    $ 1,100

"Woman 2" shades of gold / silver on gesso panel, varnished, 24” x 16”   $ 1,200

"Woman 3" shades of gold / silver on gesso panel, varnished, 24” x 16”,   $ 1,200

" Tree" shades of gold/silver on gesso panel, varnished, 24" x 24" $1900

"Impermanence 1", silver on gesso panel, varnished, 12" x 6", $695

"Tree on black clay", shades of gold / silver on gesso panel, unvarnished, 6” x 6”     $    350

"Abstract 1", shades of gold / silver on gesso panel, varnished, 6” x 6”,   $   350

"Abstract 2", shades of gold / silver on gesso panel, unvarnished, 12” x 12”   $    800

'Silver 1", silver on gesso panel, varnished, 24” x 12"      $ 1,200

and there are more - so do come and see this show......

How does she do this? When we asked Janine how she created these gilt panels - this is her reply:

"I work on MDF panels for which I make and apply the traditional gilding foundation called gesso. Gesso is made with animal glue and chalk. Depending on the chosen object I apply 8 to 25 coats of gesso. I sand the panels with different grades of sandpaper to obtain an even surface.

The next step is the application of clay also known as bole. This is an earth pigment that is also bound with animal glue. Two to three layers of this medium are the norm.

Once this layer is dry, the panel is ready to be gilded. A water-alcohol solution (called gilder’s liqueur) is used to re-activate the glue in the clay. The gold leaf is laid into the wet surface. Once the panel is dry it is then burnished – an agate stone is used in a polishing motion to bring out the depth and shine that is characteristic of water gilding.

In this body of work I used different shades of gold and silver leaf from pure silver to 23.75 Karat gold. Gold leaf is on the market in different shades. They tarnish depending on their alloy and silver content. Some of the works have been varnished to stop the oxidation process others have not been varnished yet to allow the leaf to continue to tarnish as this is an important aspect of impermanence."

March 12 - April 3: "Illusions" - Paintings by Hiro Ichikawa

Artist Reception March 12, 5 - 8pm

Artist Talk - April 2 at 4pm

Property, oil on wood panel, 12 x 16 inches

As we look at the beauty, peace and motion in Hiro's paintings, the news of the earthquake and tsunami and now the fear of nuclear radiation seems in horrific dichotomy. We hear of many people living in evacuated locations and the elder people especially having a difficult time. In response to this, RiverWinds Gallery is going to donate 10% of all gallery sales between March 18th and the end of Hiro Ichikawa's show on April 3, 2011 to Japan's recovery. This donation will be sent to Hiro's organization of choice."

RiverWinds Gallery, 172 Main St, Beacon, NY presents the first Beacon solo show of paintings by Hiro Ichikawa.  At first glance, most of his delicate, lyrical paintings appear to be abstractions.  But after passing through a first impression, you see a sense of space as landscape and a feeling of time passing. For those who missed the opening reception on March 12, Hiro will give a talk about his art on Saturday April 2 at 4pm. The show “Illusions” will run through April 3, 2010.

And congratulations to Hiro for an image in the NY Times Sunday Edition 3/27/2011

Quotation, oil on wood panel, 24 x 12 inches

Hiro Ichikawa was born and grew up in Japan.  After studying academic-style painting and drawing at Suidobata Art Academy in Tokyo for two years, he came to the United States to study fine art in 1980.  He graduated from Pratt Institute and continued his art career in New York City.  He has been included in several group shows at Woodward Gallery in Manhattan, and solo shows in Japan every year for over 15 years. Now living and working in Beacon, he is currently engaged in a series of screen paintings commissioned for a Buddhist temple in Japan.

Forethought    oil on wood panel  12 x 24 inches

In describing his process, Hiro says,  “Using both oil and watercolor, I apply small dots one by one with a small brush. After applying colors and tones as randomly as possible, a vague feeling of illusional space appears on a surface of a painting. In order to make the sense of a space more concrete, I look for winding paths like streams of water in the scene.  The basic color and the area to begin placing the dots are chosen in the early stage of a painting.  As the painting progresses, the number of the dots increases, the forms shift, and the impression modulates -- not only when the paint is being added on, but also while it's being looked at.  As the impression starts to form a firmer image, it suggests the end of the painting is approaching.  Yet, it seems that the impression never becomes fixed, even after I decide not to add any more touches to the painting; rather It feels as if the impression keeps oscillating.   Instead of trying to represent a preconceived image by painting with these dots, I let images keep reshaping in an act of adding the dots to the paintings. A completion of one painting is like an end of a paragraph."

Forecast   oil on wood panel    11 7/8 x 16  inches

Phase     oil on wood panel  24 x 12 inches

Undertone, oil on wood panel, 24 x 12 inches

Coulee, oil on wood panel, 18 1/2 x 18 1/2 inches

Variant     oil on wood panel   12 x 16 inches

The following paintings on done on very special paper - Kiryu Paper
Hand made in a mountain side of Kiryu City in Japan.
This durable paper is made of long fibers of Kozo tree using cold spring water
from the region and has been well utilized for merchants' books and shoji screens
since 18th century.  There used to be many paper makers in the area because of
the rich resources. But after the modernization of Japan, all the paper makers have
disappeared except one family.

Contour, water color on Kiryu paper, 16 5/8 x 17 3/4

Rumination, water color on Kiryu paper, 16 x 17

The following two artworks are water color on Kumohada Paper
This paper is made of a mixture of Kozo and Linen. Kumohada means “cloud skin” in
Japanese. It’s called this because the surface has faint cloud like patterns.
This paper is known not only for the beautiful pattern, but also for its thickness
and durability.

Lateral, water color on Kumohada paper, 18 x 13

Range from Red, water color on Kumohada paper, 13 x 18

In addition to the opening reception, Hiro gave an artist talk on April 2, 2011. His technique and mind set are amazing.... such a talented artist! We are so glad to learn about his art and experience this incredible talent.

February 12 - March 6: A New Beginning - Oil Paintings by Kevin Cook

RiverWinds Gallery at 172 Main Street in Beacon is featuring Kevin Cook, a Hudson River School painter and his new work “A New Beginning”.  His paintings invite you to witness the beautiful Hudson Valley, painted in the old style, but yet with a freshness and style of his own.  The opening reception for the show is February 12, 2011, (Beacon 2nd Saturday) 5 – 8pm.  The show will run through March 6, 2010.

Gentle Light of Evening - 20 x 30

Kevin Cook is an accomplished landscape painter whose style is strongly influenced by Hudson River School artists of the nineteenth century.  He was recently named a Painting Fellow by New York Foundation for the Arts, and has subsequently been invited to serve on NYFA's Artist's Advisory Committee.  In 2009, Kevin's work was exhibited at the American consulate in Hong Kong as part of the Artists in Embassies program.  Kevin is a Guest Educator at the Samuel Dorsky Museum in New Paltz.   Kevin Cook is from a rural community surrounded by farms and gentle woodlands in upstate New York.  His love for painting began with a favorite childhood art teacher, and began to take shape along with his growing appreciation for the natural world around him.

"Lighting The Way"  15 x 30, oil on canvas

He attended the State University of New York at New Paltz, gaining a B.S. in Art Education.  It was there that he discovered the work of the Hudson River School, as well as that of English Romanticist John Constable, and felt an immediate identification with their work and ideals.  This was unusual at a time when abstract expressionism filled galleries.

Radient Light - 20 x 30

After a brief teaching stint, Kevin returned to his first love of painting.  While employed at the Mohonk Mountain House, a Victorian resort located in New Paltz, Kevin’s vision of nature and romanticism matured to its present state.  Mohonk’s storied past and the surrounding Shawangunk Mountains’ rugged terrain deeply inspired Kevin and he gradually developed his style of painting as a means of communicating his spiritual connection to this landscape.

The Twilight Haze - 20 x 30

The Gathering Storm - 24 x 36

Hudson River Sublime - 15 x 30

Past the Ruined Gate - 10 x 20

Hushed Waters - 10 x 20

Storm King - 12 x 16

Spring on the River - 12 x 16

"Under A Brazen Sky"  16 x 20

The Crow's Nest - 16 x 20

At Plum Point - gouache - 5 x 8

Storm King on the Hudson - gaouche

Artist Reception Feb 12, 5 - 8pm Beacon Second Saturday