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August, 2004
Complement of Color.
Seven Like-Minded Artists Collaborate on New 'En Couler' Exhibit in Carmel Gallery
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kathleen Elsey
805-569-0542
By LISA CRAWFORD WATSON
Herald Correspondent
  Art is fickle. It might heal and soothe someone, inspire and encourage another, rile and rally more or simply leave you flat.
At the professional level it remains a most expressive vehicle, yet it can also become a highly competitive venue. Unless you learn how to collaborate.
Some four years ago, a certain seven artists, each exhibiting her paintings at the William Lester Gallery in Point Reyes Station, realized that what might seem competitive in their co-existence on the gallery walls and along crossed paths at fairs and festivals, art shows and exhibitions, could also become cooperative.
Particularly if they capitalized on the unspoken culture that existed among colorists who exhibited similarities in the way they paint, why they paint and their goals as career artists.
And so they formed En Couleur, a nod not to a shared palette so much as a shared passion for color and an appreciation for the abstraction inherent in impressionistic work.
The painterly society took shape as the artists began to work together, to exhibit together, to develop a shared understanding of the strength in the sum of their efforts.
Meanwhile, local gallery owner Nancy Dodds was out scouting for new work that might complement her eponymous Carmel gallery when she wandered into a show in Santa Rosa and discovered paintings by En Couleur member Kathleen Elsey.
She could see it. Could get what Elsey was trying to do in the complexities of her subjects and the organization of elements in her compositions.
Could appreciate her use of color and light. Could enjoy the aspects of nature juxtaposed with manmade materials and objects. Mostly, she could see this work in her gallery.
Dodds kept in touch with Elsey over the next few years. Although she was pleased when the artist contacted her regarding a possible exhibit at the gallery, Dodds was more intrigued that Elsey was calling not merely on behalf of herself, but about her six colleagues, as well.
"As much as I appreciate the work, I actually had to think about it," said Dodds. "None of them are my artists, and I had never given anyone a show who wasn't already exhibiting in my gallery. But, I like the work so much, and it creates an exceptional ensemble, so I said yes. And, actually, the show has not yet opened, but we have already presold six of the paintings."
"En Couleur" opens formally at the Nancy Dodds Gallery this weekend, with an artists' reception featuring Lindy Duncan, Kathleen Elsey, Robin Fahey Cameron, Connie Kirk, Jeanette Le Grue, Camille Przewodek and Lesley Rich.
"I love being part of this group," said Elsey. "Most painters work alone, giving us a very insular experience. In addition to our exhibits, we often paint together, which gives us camaraderie and a feeling that we're not competing against each other but working to help each other in so many ways. It's really helpful to have other artists we can trust, which enables us to grow as a group and as individuals because of our experiences with each other."
This show actually marks the return of En Couleur to Carmel since five of the seven members applied and were accepted into the recent Carmel Art Festival, the 11th annual art extravaganza whose plein air competition has achieved international recognition.
Elsey even took home an honorable mention for "Trucks for Trade," a painting whose lasting impression is the photograph she took of it before it sold during the competition.
"I was so surprised and honored to receive this award," she said, "particularly because the quality of the other painters' work is excellent. Before I even arrived on the Peninsula, I decided I wanted to paint old barns and old trucks and old boats, and I found just the scene I was looking for. It looked so much like my native Sonoma County; I guess I was looking for that in Monterey County and found it."
Lesley Rich, meanwhile, came to Carmel to paint Carmel. Originally from Chicago, the Palo Alto-based painter, who prefers to paint the figure, more close-up and intimate subjects than the landscape, nevertheless enjoyed her experience in the plein air competition.
"It was the first time I had participated in the festival, and I really enjoyed it," said Rich. "It was a really good competition; everyone wasexcellent. My paintings were more than decent, and I sold them there. I concentrated on the area of Carmel along Scenic Avenue. I had a really big feeling if you're going to come to Carmel to paint, then paint Carmel."
Rich is actually the newest member of group, who met the other painters when she began exhibiting at Fahey Cameron's William Lester Gallery and felt honored to be included in the close-knit society.
Their work is a complement of color and style, yet each manifests her own signature, distinguishing her work from the others. Undoubtedly, the paintings will congregate very well together in this new show, as always, do the artists, themselves.
What: "En Couleur" group exhibition
Where: Nancy Dodds Gallery, 7th at San Carlos, Carmel
When: Artist's reception, Saturday May 29, 2004, from 6 to 8p.m.
Exhibit will continue through June 9, 2004
Cost: Free and open to the public
Contact: 624-0346 or www.nancydodds.com
Here are four images from the En Couleur group.
The Beach painting is called "Beach Day with Umbrellas" by Kathleen Elsey
The painting of the two children at the beach is called "I'll Help Too" by Lindy Duncan
The painting of the riders is called "Mongolian Riders" by Lesley Rich
And the last painting is by Robin Fahey Cameron and is called "Early Morning in the Courtyard"
ART OPENING • What: "En Couleur" group exhibition • Where: Nancy Dodds Gallery, Seventh at San Carlos, Carmel • When: Artist's reception, 6-8 p.m. Saturday, May 29; exhibit will continue through June 9 • Tickets: Free and open to the public • Information: 624-0346 or www.nancydodds.com Lisa Crawford Watson can be reached at LCWCarmel@aol.com. GO!
© 2009 Kathleen Elsey. All rights reserved. All paintings are property of Kathleen Elsey
and may not be reproduced in any form without the written permission of Kathleen Elsey.
This site was created by Kevin Bonner
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