First Friday Art Opening – Caroline Conlon – Connecting the Dots

Jul 30, 2018

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Caroline Conlon

August 3, 2018, 5pm – 8pm

141 W. Bruce St. Suite 201,

Harrisonburg, VA

Facebook Info

Each month we host a new artist in our building’s 2nd floor gallery at the Chesapeake Western Depot at 141 W. Bruce St. (second floor entrance is on Chesapeake). Artwork will remain on exhibit through the month. Come view the show and take a tour of the Depot! We will have food and drink available!

Bio:

Caroline Conlon has been living in the Shenandoah Valley area for the last decade. In association with her recent graduation earning an Advanced Studies Diploma from Wilson Memorial High School, she also excelled at Shenandoah Valley Governor’s School in the two-year Arts & Humanities program where she received the Art Achievement Award for most fully embodying the subject in her endeavors. Caroline is a multimedia, abstract artist who uses mainly acrylics, watercolors, liquid inks, and pens to create her art. Inspired by the unpredictable shapes and patterns of the Abstract Expressionist movement, Caroline’s process involves the spontaneous application of materials followed by a more careful and deliberate approach to unify and finish. She finds art to be a comfort and stress relief as it allows her to express herself in a productive, beautiful fashion.

Description:

Connecting the Dots by Caroline Conlon is a collection of expressive, abstract work ranging from 2016-2018 which attempts to capture and document the process of embracing the unpredictable and uncontrollable nature of splattering, pouring, flicking, and smushing. Whether it be utilizing traditional media in a non-traditional fashion or the creation of random patterns and working to unify them, Caroline works outside the box to not only archive but build upon these images as she reacts to them. The art combines the harsh and erratic with the soft and delicate. Brightly colored and vibrant, this show is bold and immersive for the viewer as they observe this interesting technique.

Media:

Mixed-Media including but not limited to acrylic, micron pen, graphite, ink, spray paint, and watercolor.

Conlon’s mixed-media work enhances the Chesapeake Western Depot’s lineup of previous First Friday artists, which most recently displayed works with photography, watercolor, ink, and gouache.

As always, this event is free and open to everyone, and refreshments will be provided by Gaines Group Architects.

Series Name: An Interlude of Water

Medium: Hand-cut Montage

Artist Statement: “An Interlude of Water

The stillness of a hot, lazy summer evening broken by the laughter of good friends as fishies bite and the sun slowly slips towards the horizon.

The pond collection swirls and twirls like the eddies at the shoreline. Developing slowly to capture the quiet aspects of what creatures could quietly inhabit a pond within the Shenandoah landscape.

The past eight months have been a creative frenzy of exploration, joy, and personal contentment, from envisioning a cohesive grouping of collages that share a color palette to letting my imagination play. The resulting collection has stretched my artistic skills and broadened my perception of interpretation and idea development.

My Process:

Each collage starts as a line drawing, creating a detailed map of the imagery to be included within the work. Moving the drawing to the wooden panel entails many bits of hand-cut paper, acrylic mediums, and acid-free paste. A sticky mess, but it so satisfies the need for detail my brain requires. All papers used are colored with acrylic paint applied with painting tools or a Gelli plate. A lot of time is spent pressing (lever press, heavy books, etc) and drying the glued papers before and after mounting on the wooden surface. Acrylic varnish provides a protective sealant for the completed collage. From concept to finished work, the process takes, on average, four weeks.”

Artist Bio: I’ve always been one to dabble in new trends and techniques. Treading water, seeking the thing that would capture and devour my imagination. In 2018, when life was overwhelming and my soul needed an escape, I fell back in love with collage. Over the intervening eight years, my artistic practice has settled into an obsession, forcing a growth in style and technique with results that personally bring me joy. A relocation to Harrisonburg, Virginia, has allowed me to establish a permanent studio space, adding momentum to my artistic journey.

*Accessibility Note: This building was previously restored from a fire. The elevator shaft is currently not functioning and there is an absence of ramps in the space. Because the show is on the 2nd floor, this may pose an issue for those who have mobility challenges. We are aware of this need and we apologize greatly if this changes your ability to attend.

This event is free and open to everyone. Snacks and refreshments will be served and we look forward to seeing you there!

Each month we host a new artist in our building’s 2nd floor gallery at the Chesapeake Western Depot at 141 W. Bruce St. (second floor entrance is on Chesapeake). Artwork will remain on exhibit through the month. Come view the show anytime and get a tour the Depot!