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!

LAST WEEKEND- 10x10 Fountain Street Studios' Group Show ends 4/30

        

 One of the best things about the 10x10 Fountain Street Studios' group show, for us, was having the opportunity to see the diversity, range and skill of the artists in the building, exhibited side by side, together in one space. 

At Fountain Street Studios, we're a very loose consortium. Artists come and go at odd times, as dictated by their schedules  and busy lives.

And, in general, making art is a solitary pursuit. But a few times a year, most notably for Open Studios' in April, we come together, open our doors wide, and share our work with the public and with one another.

The 10x10 show will be on view in the Gallery through Saturday, April 30. Each piece is for sale for $150; many of these are valued at much more. It's a great chance to see a snapshot of what happens every day in the building, to discover a new favorite artist, and, perhaps, to go home with a treasure.

Looking back, looking forward

First, a heartfelt thank you to all those who visited us in the gallery and in our studios during Open Studios Weekend. We were pleased and encouraged by the support and positive comments we received. Visitors loved walking into the gallery and being immediately struck by the volume, quality, and diversity of art being made in the building. Many of the 10x10 panels in the show were sold during the weekend. (Many real treasures remain!) 

Lots of people participated in our collaborative 'art wall'. We'll post the video of the installation in progress shortly! 

My favorite moment of the weekend, though, was the story of the person who came up to me to buy one of the panels. His eyes were dancing with excitement; he'd seen this artist's work before, and had always admired it, but was hesitant to buy. And here, in the gallery, he saw this little gem of a painting! 

 

I found out later that this was thevery first piece of original artthis man had ever bought. (Most likelynot his last.)

Buying that first piece is a real giant step. To become a collector, a person must first appreciate the value of the piece- many people do that.  But that person must also trust his perceptions, his instinct that this particular work of art has meaning and value for him, and act on that trust. It's kind of a leap of faith.

Seasoned collectors already know the value of real, original art. But I'll bet they have a special memory of the first piece they ever took home with them. It feels good to know the gallery was able to provide the introduction!

Open Studios Weekend at the Gallery

Visitors enjoying the work of Fountain Street Artists.

It's been a great weekend so far! 

Many visitors, many impromptu artists hanging their own creations in the gallery. 

Something for everyone!

Open Studios continues today, Sunday 4/10, 

from  11-5.

Budding artists work on their own 10x10 pieces,

and hang them in the gallery.

10x10 Panels are selling quickly, but many fabulous pieces are still available. The show runs through April 30th.