INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH - Spotlight on Sculpture

INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH, our focus for Summer 2011, seems to lend itself to three-dimensional pieces, at least as evidenced by the work submitted for the show. We're very excited to have a large number of sculpture in this show, from textural relief to delicate ceramics to large scale metalwork. We found ourselves really needing to 'think outside the box' to find ways to display these 3D pieces to best advantage. Some of the more delicate pieces needed to be protected, while still allowing the viewer to appreciate the subtlety of the work. Many of the sculptures really must be seen from multiple vantage points to be fully experienced. Sight lines are important; the work can't obscure or compete with the 2D work surrounding it. 

Martin Ulman's found object sculpture Jules Verne suspends from the ceiling; three of Bill Cohn's hand-built ceramic pieces stand on pedestals in the background; Bob Collini's At the Fair stands at far right.

AJ Grignaffini, The Fish, repurposed metal sculpture

Steven Thomas Martin's The Package, 

mixed media sculpture; 

 Martin Ulman's Mr. Automatic, 

wall hung.

One of the things we learned from Unscripted, our first juried show, was to request that artists supply their own pedestals. The right pedestal can act as a matt or frame, and really complement the piece. Artists supplied not only pedestals, but instructions, hardware, and assistance to display their work to best advantage. The result is that the sculptures in the show act as exclamation points that punctuate the 2D work that surrounds them.

The photos here are intended to give you a taste- the show really does need to be seen 'in 3D'.

White Noise, by Michael Ulman, center; Joe Carpineto's Pull, far right.

Please join us for the 
INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH
Opening Reception
 Saturday, June 25th, from 5-8 PM

INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH artists

Congratulations to all the artists whose work was selected for  INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH, which opens Friday June 17th, and runs through July 31st.

Please join us for the Opening Reception-

Saturday, June 25th, from 5-8PM

The jury is in!

The gallery received 232 submissions for INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH at final count,more than we received for our inaugural show back in January. In our opinion, the quality of the work was even better than what we received for that show. Juror Howard Yezerski certainly had his work cut out for him. We prepared for his visit by distributing the work randomly throughout the gallery so that each piece was  well visible.

He moved methodically through each space within the gallery, looking carefully at every piece, occasionally picking one up to look more closely, or pausing to ask a question. His process was deliberate, his decisions were intent and sure. We asked what criteria he was using; he stated that relationship to the theme was important, and that in addition he was drawn to work that was more abstract in nature, although many figurative works were selected. In the end, he chose 65 pieces, within the range of what we had suggested as an appropriate number of pieces to fill the space. Painting, drawing, mixed media, photography, and sculpture are all represented.

We're really looking forward to hanging the show, and once the gallery is clear we'll spread the pieces and see which combinations and juxtapositions of work resonate with us. There is some phenomenal work in this show, and hope that when you visit the gallery, you'll agree.

Pick-up of work not accepted is 

Fri. 6/10 and Sat. 6/11, 10-2.

The Gallery will be closed 

this weekend for installation. 

INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH 

OPENS Fri. 6/17.

The Opening Reception is 

Sat. June 25, 5-8 PM

The gallery will be open 

Fri.-Sun.  11-5 through July 31. 

We will close for August.

But stay tuned....the fall promises to be big!

Enjoy the weekend!

The sunshine and warm wind beckons, so we hope you are able to enjoy the first official weekend of summer. If you find yourself in the Framingham area, stop by- the gallery will be open Saturday and Sunday, from 11-5. 

Roy Perkinson, Fields near Cognac, May, oil on canvas

Roy Perkinson's show has another two weekends to go, and the response we've had so far has been wonderful.


A special thanks goes to John and Dave of Framed in Time in Framingham for their informative and entertaining free demo on Wed. May 25. 


We've got another free demo on  Wed. June 1st, at 10AM, by a representative from Gamblin Artist Colors, on the most up-to-date info on their oil paints. Free goodies, too!


Meanwhile, we're preparing the gallery to accept submissions for our next show: INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH, juried by Howard Yezerski, of Howard Yeserski gallery in Boston. 

Very briefly: 
Drop-Off of artwork with completed entry forms – Wed. 6/1, 12N-2PM; Fri. 6/3 & Sat. 6/4, 10AM-2PM Entry Fee - $10 per entry, max. 4 pieces
Show dates - Friday, June 17, 2011 through Sunday, July 31, 2011
Opening reception - Saturday, June 25, from 5:00 – 8:00 PM.


Complete information and application materials are available at http://www.fountainstreetfineart.com/Industrial-Strength-Call.pdf

Roy Perkinson's show extended through June 5th

Roy Perkinson talks about his experiences painting on Monhegan Island, Maine

It was a pleasure to hear artist 

Roy Perkinson speak on his creative process in the gallery last weekend.

He told one story about his repeated attempts to capture a particular 'mood of light' in one painting, and how, by giving up in frustration, he was able to throw out all his preconceived ideas, start fresh, and try a completely different approach. 

The resulting watercolor, Foothills of Monte Amiata, is rich with soft wonderful color, and a glow that makes it one of our (many) favorites in the exhibition. 

Roy Perkinson, Foothills of Monte Amiata, watercolor

Because of the popularity of this show, and with the understanding that many people who might otherwise want to visit will be away during Memorial Day Weekend,
Roy Perkinson has agreed to extend his show through June 5th.
Gallery hours are Fri-Sun. 11AM-5 PM (including the holiday weekend). Don't miss it!

Roy Perkinson speaks about his show, Moods of Light

Artist Roy Perkinson

We're looking forward to 
hearing artist Roy Perkinson speak 
about his work in the gallery Sunday, May 15, at 2PM.  Megan McKee, in an article in Boston.com, writes that "Perkinson talks about his love for painting scenes of twilight and dusk, a formidable task he likens to 'trying to capture an echo' because of the brevity of these events."


Roy's landscapes are luminous and breathtaking, and include paintings of Europe, his native Texas, Maine, and right here in the neighborhood of Fountain Street Fine Art (who knew the railroad tracks were so beautiful?)

Roy Perkinson, Farm Pond in Winter, oil on canvas

Come to see the show, but stay to hear Roy speak, because he is articulate, knowledgeable, and has wonderful back stories about his paintings, his choice of medium, and his vision. We can't wait to hear what he has to say!

Roy Perkinson: Moods of Light Opens Today

Roy Perkinson's show, Moods of Light, opens today May 6th, 2011. 


Perkinson is especially known for capturing those fleeting moments, whether at twilight or in broad daylight, when light and atmospherics transform a landscape and evoke a poetic mood.  Whether he's working with oils, watercolor, or pastel, his sensitive use of color conveys a sense of open space and the expressive qualities of the sky. He frequently works on location, and has included work from Italy, France, as well as his native Texas, Maine, and right here in Framingham.

There's so much involved in putting together a show. The first, critical step, is creating a strong, cohesive body of work.  Without that, any amount of subsequent effort is wasted. But that's just the beginning. With Roy Perkinson's work, step one was a given.


Roy worked tirelessly to present his work in the best possible light. He carefully selected the placement of pieces in the show-  to reflect the various locations, media, moods depicted in his paintings to best advantage, using a scale model of the gallery to help him arrange the layout of the seventy or so pieces in the exhibition. He was assisted in hanging the work by our great intern, Max Polatin.


He's also produced a stunning catalog for the show, with an introduction written by literary scholar and connoisseur Michael Nimetz. 

Please stop by to see this fabulous show!

The Opening Reception is Saturday May 7th, from 5-8. 

Or come by on Sunday, May 15th , at 2 PM, to hear Roy speak about his work.

The gallery is open 11-5 Fri-Sun. every weekend. This show is not to be missed!