Field Trip

The weather was dismal on Thursday, as we drove to Boston for an often-postponed gallery crawl. Sad to say, because of work and other committments, we don't do this nearly enough. But it kind of felt like an all-you-can eat buffet of some of the best art there is to see in the region. As we're still pretty new at this business, we still feel like underclassmen sometimes, and expected to learn a lot just by observing how other galleries do things. The surprise, though, was just how important seeing the work of artist after artist after artist was in feeding our own creative energies. Over the past year, the left brain's been getting a workout,  as we planned and organized in the gallery, while the right brain's waited patiently for its turn. Seeing the work of others sparked an urgency to get to the studio, try out some ideas, and pay attention to that side of ourselves. The actual hard work of making art often happens in isolation, but  the process is fed and nurtured by a shared experience of the work of others.

No need to drive to Boston, though. There are a couple weekends left to see the work of the eight artists whose work is in the gallery for 'Beyond the Surface', our current encaustic show. Visitors have commented on how diverse yet cohesive the show is, and how strong the work of the individual artists is. Our (biased) opinion is that this is one of our best shows to date. Treat yourself to a look at this show, this weekend. And while you're in the neighborhood, the Danforth Museum's New England Photography Biennial is another must-see exhibit. Gallery visitors can get a free same-day pass to the Danforth Museum.

What does it take to be a collector?

What does it take to be a collector?

One word answer- LOVE (x3)

We know a guy- let’s call him Mike- He’s a collector. Big time. He’s not rich. He’s not fancy. Or Harvard educated (as far as we know). But he’s an art patron, he’s our hero.

We asked him; How does he decide to buy art?

”I’m very picky, he says." if I see something I really love, LOVE-LOVE-LOVE, 

I have to really love it, I buy it.” 

It’s as simple as that. He lives paycheck to paycheck, like a lot of us. He finds a way. He’s passionate about buying art the way those of us who make the art are passionate. 

He pays a little, every paycheck, till it’s his.

There's a reception 

Saturday, October 22nd, 

from 5-7, 

for our current encaustic show,

Beyond the Surface:

biological explorations in wax.

Stop by, 

enjoy the party- 

(who knows, you might fall in LOVE-LOVE- LOVE!)

How to Ship your Artwork- tips from exhibiting artists

Preparing to hang the pieces in Beyond the Surface: Biological Explorations in Wax, our upcoming show, felt a bit like opening presents at holiday time! Several of the artists tapped for this show by guest curator Tracy Spadafora shipped their work, or had it delivered to the gallery by fellow artists. Encaustics can be fragile, although they are much sturdier than they sometimes appear; but every piece of art that is shipped deserves to be treated with utmost care.

We were very impressed by the care and professionalism used by the artists in preparing their work for transport. So much so that we'd like to share with you the tips we learned from them:

1-Pack carefully to protect each piece from shifting in its case. Some work came in boxes which were handmade by the artist to fit the piece exactly. 

2-Label, Label, Label- This piece by Anne Cavanaugh, Vignette (Patricia), was labeled on the outside of the box, on the inside, and on the back of the piece with ALL the pertinent information. The piece was protected on its way to the gallery, but also, if (ok, let's say when) it sells, the box will be used to deliver the work to the buyer. We were particularly impressed by the 'care of encaustics' information enclosed in multiple places, useful when the work is in transit, but especially when it goes to the collector.

3- Enclose directions- and hardware, if necessary- for hanging. We received magnets in one box, tape in another. One box even included a utility knife!

 Kay Hartung's Microcell series, a grouping of nine 6-inch cradled panels hung in a grid pattern, is shown here. The box included the nine panels, well-padded, special tape, and printout showing the arrangement and orientation of the individual pieces. Best of all, Kay included a template on wax paper (a staple for encaustic artists!) indicating exactly where to place the hanging hardware.

It goes without saying, artists use great care to produce each piece; careful packing and labeling ensures that the work will get to its destination intact, and when it is shown, will be exhibited as it was intended to be seen.

Tracy Spadafora, Cultivate, mixed media encaustic.

Beyond the Surface: Biological Explorations in Wax,

a group show of 2- and 3D work in the encaustic medium

is on exhibit from October 7-November 6, 2011

A Reception will be held on October 22, from 5-7PM 

Exhibiting artists are Anne Cavanaugh, Kay Hartung, Joyce Utting Schutter, 

Tracy Spadafora, Donna Hamil Talman, Jean Wallace, Cynthia Winika,

and Gregory Wright.

Last Weekend to see Richard Kattman: Current Work

Last chance to see Richard Kattman's vibrant acrylics;

the show ends Sunday, October 2.

Richare Kattman's never-before exhibited series of vertical paintings on linen.

Kattman chose to hang his newest series,  2x6 ft. acrylics on linen, unstretched, to showcase the texture and detail on the edges, which would otherwise be hidden behind the stretcher frame.  The strong graphic elements and rich colors are evocative of the  Native American blankets which inspired this body of work.

New for October-

Beyond the Surface: Biological Explorations in Wax
an encaustic show curated by Tracy Spadafora.

RIchard Kattman: Current Work, on view through October 2

Richard Kattman discusses his painting,
Butterfingers

 It's really difficult to get a sense of the scale of Richard Kattman's paintings from images in the press or on a screen. Their lush colors and textures, too, pale on reproduction, and really must be experienced in person. Those of us who heard Richard speak during last Sunday's gallery talk learned first-hand how eclectic his inspirations are. Everything from the palette of Picasso during his Rose period, to aerial views of the midwest from a plane, to longing for past summers at Little Compton translate into the paintings on view in this show.

There's still time to see for yourself what is so spectacular about Richard Kattman's current body of work. The Gallery is open Friday-Sunday 11-5.

If those times don't work for you, please contact the gallery- 

by email

fountainstfineart@gmail.com 

or by phone 508-879-4200

We'll be glad to show you around at your convenience.

Baby’s first steps

Richard Kattman: Current Work, on view in the Gallery through October 2, 2011

It’s a year, almost to the day, since we got our first glimpse of the space that would become Fountain Street Fine Art. That first year was a whirlwind, and 12 months later, we have accomplished so many of our initial objectives.

In the beginning, Sept. 2010

Check out this video to see how far we’ve come
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgZ2xFkzQ68.

Although the gallery’s ‘birthday’, the anniversary of our opening, isn’t till February, for us - the ‘parents’- our second year begins now, in September. Richard Kattman’s fabulous show is our 6^th.The initial buzz and excitement of our startup has worn off. We’re entering the next stage; it’s more difficult now. Our cute new baby is growing, taking steps, forging its identity and presence long-term in local and regional art circles.

We know first-hand the challenges and rewards of the growth phase we’re entering. This fall, in our own families, 3 of our children (we have 6 between us) are entering new phases of their development; one started kindergarten, one high school, one went off to college for the first time. The expectations are higher, the work is harder, but  the accomplishments are even sweeter.

Stick around with us, watch this baby grow!

R. Kattman, Ohio Farmland

Richard Kattman- Current Work

September 9-October 2, 2011

 “Some canvases are my views of the earth as it appears from space. Some are drawn from infinite places located within my subconscious. Others are explorations I take at the speed of light to places I imagine in deep outer space. These artworks portray the fragility of life and the known universe… I use really big brushes that you can put a lot of paint on fast. For me, making a painting is like shooting through space.”

-Richard Kattman

Please join us for an artist reception 

Saturday September 17^th from 5-7 PM

and a conversation with the artist 

Sunday Sept. 18^th at 3 PM

in the gallery.

Both events are free and open to the public.

For October, guest curator Tracy Spadafora  presents