Art in the Street – October 2013
The Ways of Cloud and Water, New Paintings by Janet Read at Christensen Fine Art
Though not conceived of as a pair, Janet Read’s “Morning and Evening” and “Reading the Wave 3” hang together quite nicely as a quadriptych
Still glowing from Peterborough Pathway of Fame honours this year, Peer and Lori Christensen continue their influential and consistent contributions to the local arts community. One of the many ways in which they do so is by bringing wonderful artists and art to be seen here in Peterborough.
Showing this month from October 4th to 24th, Janet Read’s paintings (www.janet-read.com) bring a vivid experience of exploring the edges and boundaries where land and water, the real and imaginary, meet. Since her upbringing near Lake Simcoe, she has sought those littoral edges in Newfoundland, Vancouver, Alaska, Ireland, and Scotland — where the sea and land meet and life flourishes.
To meet Janet and see her bright oceanic eyes, it seems that she was destined to have this kind of vision. Her background in philosophy and a poetic soul are evident in the sustained inquiry and investigation she puts into each piece.
The pieces themselves are abstract imaginary landscapes fueled by real experiences of westward skies at sunset, light playing upon the water, the ever-changing forms of clouds, and the endless rhythm of day and night. The contrast of bright vivid colours, shadow, and light have a cumulative effect of experience that invite the viewer into imaginal worlds of their own.
The unique process and abstract nature of Janet’s paintings reveal the themes of cloud and water quite clearly sometimes
Other pieces by artist Janet Read have a more direct relationship to a specific place, like this one referencing Giverny
The horizon is strikingly emphasized in Janet’s painting “Threshold” (right), but is more subtly suggested in others
“I never wish to become lazy,” Janet says. “Each stroke is deliberate and purposeful. Every piece begins anew and has its own life. I have no wish to simply repeat what I have done before.”
The purity of intention Janet engages in is clearly evident. One could easily become lost in the experiences recreated in her paintings.
The Christensen Fine Art Gallery (432 George St. N., Peterborough) is open during regular business hours, Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Call 705-876-9623 or visit www.christensenfineart.com
From KawarthaNOW.com