artist reception,quirk-pop
2-6 pm
free
Stephanie Cramer and Dawn Nelson
“Go Figure” - large scale figure paintings and drawings
Show dates: June 15 - 27, 2004
Opening Reception: June 19, 2-6 pm.
Quirky pop quartet, “Letters to Beany” plays in support,
Stephanie Cramer and Dawn Nelson were originally paired together for this show by Alan Nidle from Zeitgeist, after seeing their work in Jamaica Plain Open Studios last year. Stephanie Cramer’s figures drench themselves with song and story, leading the viewer in with her suggestive colors only to ask more questions. Colors explode on this daring canvas. Stephanie Cramer has been painting all her life. Originally from Southwest Missouri, she has made Massachusetts her home for the last 20 years.
Stephanie Cramer: ARTIST’S STATEMENT
I see the painter as analogous to an actor/director bringing the viewer along to new places, memories, dreams, and family histories. I like to give the viewer space to interpret what they see on the canvas.
Center stage in my art is the figure—an object in motion, as if the figure is caught, just for an instant, a glimpse, a snapshot before the gesture is complete. I’m not in search of exact representation. I’m intent rather on provoking a sense of tension or intensity. These plus color bring the emotion to the painting.
Whether spatial or expressionistic, the implied relationship between figures is intended to arouse curiosity. Painting is like a freeze frame. It helps both the viewer and the painter to pause—if just for a second as we enter into that two dimensional space. Most of the time the stage is imaginary or based on dreams and memories. Like Alice, the viewer is invited to step into the drama or the wonderland inside the looking glass.
The journey started in Kansas, by way of Missouri, the search and the play continue in Massachusetts.
Stephanie Cramer, South Deerfield, MA
Imagineart66@comcast.net
413-665-8668
The big quake and resulting aftershock and resulting tidal wave of Brian Wilson’s efforts can still be felt in yet another “after-Smile” - the sounds and vibrations of Letters to Beany. Making its debut on an “Ed’s Basement” Sunday night at Kenmore Square’s famous Rathskellar in the late 8os with the Ski-adelics, Robin Lane, and, of course, Ed’s Redeeming Qualities. Elements of the aforementioned are bound to weave their threads into the fabric of acoustic guitar pop, 4 part harmonies, Jonathan Richman whimsy, political satire, and infectious choruses. Fans of Iron and Silk, Of Montreal, Olivia Tremor Control, as well as Boston’s Mike Viola, The Fifth Dimension, and, of course, five pinstriped, velvet-throated lads from Hawthorne, California are invited to Smile, er, Smirk, if they wish.
Artist’s Statement
Dawn Nelson
In these drawings, I am hoping to walk right past thinking, and to open myself up to direct responses from my heart and gut. Making them, my whole body engages with the things of art; charcoal, paints, wax, water, oil pastels, graphite, and gesso. I start by responding to the human model, having no idea where I will end up. I free myself by doing drawing after drawing, one right on top of one the next. Then, using my intuition as a kind of divining rod, I attempt to discern the most important elements from these layers of drawn responses. For me, making these drawings seems like part swimming, part dreaming, and part praying.
Dawn Nelson
Bio
Dawn Nelson was born outside of Chicago in 1951. She received a B.F.A. from Illinois Wesleyan University, and a M.Ed. from Lesley College.
She worked in human services from 1973 to 1983, and has been a middle school art teacher since 1983. She has taught at Weston Middle School since 1987. During this time she has been actively involved in the arts at Weston Public Schools.
Dawn moved to the Boston area in 1973, and has lived in Jamaica Plain for 25 years. She was instrumental in the development of Jamaica Plain Open Studios, and has been an exhibition artist at JPOS since it’s beginning.
Additionally, Dawn has exhibited in the Boston area for the past two decades, including exhibits at; The Massachusetts Cultural Council, The Footlight Club, Senator Brian Joyce’s Office at the Massachusetts State Capital, James’s Gate, The Bela Luna Exhibition Series, Center Street Café, The Scully Square Gallery at Boston City Hall, The Weston Public Library, and Merwyn Gallery at Illinois Wesleyan University.
Production: Stephanie Cramer - imagineart66@comcast.net