The Elements—Earth, Wind, Fire, Water March 4 — 29
Featured Artists: John Craig & Arlene Piaquadio
In the United in Arts Community Gallery:
Westerly Middle School 8th Grade Artists
John Craig worked in the world of finance for several years. He relocated to Connecticut and in reference to his new art passion he explains, “I found painting and broke free.” Craig is a self-taught abstract artist, whose mediums include acrylic, oil and spray paint on paper, panel and canvas. He uses a plastic putty knife, a strip of plexiglass (after Gerhard Richter), or a strong right arm. Mr. Craig attributes his method of painting to Jackson Pollock, or one of his chroniclers, who allegedly coined the term “action painting,” which Craig translates to mean “there is no plan.” He states, “I make it up as I go. Surprise!”
Craig described his thoughts as he created his theme piece, Maelstrom, “As I was doing this, I first thought of a disaster flick called Towering Inferno. As it developed, I decided it warranted more respect than that, as what emerged was clearly more than fire. It was and is also almost tornado-like, implying furious wind driven violence, a storm not just elemental, but emotional as well.”
Arlene Piacquadio has loved to create art since she was in grade school. Piacquadio studied art at the New School in NYC, her initial mediums included works in oil, ceramics and handmade jewelry. After leaving New York for Rhode Island, Piacquadio attended classes at RISD and discovered a new medium, Encaustics, which is an ancient technique that uses heated beeswax mixed with pigments. In many pieces she often includes embedded paper, textures - combing ink and oil sticks that creates luminous paintings and relief.
Piacquadio’s painting, Deep Dive, was inspired by the element of water. The depth of the blue pigments and the application of many layers of beeswax and pigment give the viewer the feeling of being underwater.
A Selection of Artists' Works You'll See in March
(401) 596-1260
62 High Street
Westerly, RI 02891