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Archived Exhibit |
Opening Reception
Saturday, 6–9 pm
August 11, 2007
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Mary Ann Coles:
Visions of Europe
August 11 – September 8, 2007
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Rebecca V Gallery is pleased to exhibit the work of talented Northwest watercolor
artist Mary Ann Coles, with an Opening Reception on Saturday, August 11. The exhibition
focuses on the landscapes and villages of her Italian relatives and ancestors.
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Coles’ exhibit Visions of Europe captures the places she has lived and traveled, and
updates a centuries-old art form into a vibrant, relevant reflection of today’s world with
modern scenes of life.
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On August 11, from 6-9 pm, the public is invited to meet the artist and view her collection
at the gallery. The event is free of charge. Fine wine will be provided by Pairings Wine Bar.
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Coles has been painting consistently for the past ten years. The detail in much of her
work betrays the complexity of the challenging watercolor medium. The boldness of her color
palette is unparalleled. Her body of work is predominately inspired by the beautiful places
she has been.
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Watercolor has a long history, dating back to the cave paintings of primitive man and painted
tombs of the ancient Egyptians. Over the centuries the art form has been expressed by various
means. Chinese and Japanese masters painted on silk as well as paper. In India and Persia,
watercolor artists painted religious scenes from their culture. And, of course, most people
today are familiar with the fresco paintings of the Renaissance masters, the best known
example being Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel. But, few realize that this also is a form of
watercolor.
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From these first examples, the medium of watercolor has evolved into an expressive, fluid art
form that captures our hearts and imaginations. But, don’t let its prevalence in the art
world fool you. Watercolor is considered one of the most difficult methods of painting. An
unpredictable medium, the character of watercolor is uniquely challenging.
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Coles uses a gel medium varnish on many of her paintings to create an interesting contrast.
It also provides an extra layer of protection in addition to lending texture and dimension to
the work. Much of Coles’ early painting was very detailed. Lately, she has been painting in
a looser style and has been very pleased with the results. She achieves a more fluid look
by using washes, vibrant colors, and appealing contrasts, creating a fun and challenging new
discovery in her works.
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