LYNDEN GALLERY is pleased to present “palette/palate study,” an exhibition featuring the process of painting and the delicious dynamic of each artist represented. An Artists’ Reception will be held Friday, February 13th, 2009 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. The reception will include dishes from each artist, yet another expression of their individualism and taste. Jazz feature for the evening is Lancaster County’s ever-popular GADJO PLAYBOYS. Suggested cover for the evening is $5.00 per person in support of the band. The exhibition will continue thru March 7th.

PALETTE/PALATE STUDY is an out of the box attempt to explore and exhibit the process of painting unique to each artist. As work was received, it became apparent this “body of work” begged a different approach. On it’s way to the walls the exhibition evolved – a series of photographs exploring studios, panels and canvases in progress, small studies to finished masterpieces, paint palettes on paper, board or glass, sketches and scribbles. Each artist is eloquent in his or her own unique voice, from how their palette is organized, the conception of an idea, through the process of completing – and knowing when – a work is complete.

A STUDY OF PAINTING IN THE MAKING the artist shares his palette of color and process of discovery. The viewer has the opportunity to contemplate the decisions and choices an artist makes as a painting evolves. According to Lisa Clemens, gallery director, “I’ve always been intrigued by the palette in particular. Every studio visit afforded me the opportunity to see first hand how the artist approached color.” Some work deep, with large trays of color upon color grown several inches high while others meticulously scrape and clean the palette with each sitting. There are those who carefully arrange the color according to the color wheel, and others who simply squirt and mix whatever color is needed next with little thought to order.

  

IMAGES EVOLVE WITH SPECIFIC INTENTION or develop with act of painting. Abstract work, contrary to popular belief, isn’t just about color and composition, but often evolves from realism. NED WERT’s colorful, gestural paintings aren’t readily seen as something specific, and aren’t meant to be. However, each begins with a specific sketch or photograph and is systematically deconstructed into abstraction. What makes the work meaningful to one viewer may be completely different from what evokes response in another.

OTHERS EVOLVE AS THE PAINT reaches the canvas, as is the case with the work of JOANNE LANDIS. A painting evolves as a story is told, the narrative unfolding during the process. “I start with a photo… a figure with a gesture that stirs me in some way – the turn of the head, the energy of the body.” The figure is blocked onto the canvas with paint – no preliminary drawing. From there, Joanne says, “I say, where is she? Then block in an environment – a cove I’ve been to, the sea, or my back porch. Then I ask, why is she there? What is happening inside her?” The painting develops as the figure changes, and the color and geography change, “until I feel everything is complete and a story is being told.”

UNPLANNED IN HER WORK, JANET HAMMOND shared with reporter Scott Campbell, that she rarely does preliminary sketches or drawings, and goes on to say, “when I go into all of that, my end result seems to lack spontaneity.” Each painting evolves out of what the artist admits “looks like a mess” as she “feels her way into it and sees what happens.” What evolves is not non-objective as one might guess, but is realistic, with a fixation on the light that surrounds her subject, whether figurative, still life, or landscape.

IN CONTRAST TO VIBRANT action painting or unplanned work, is the methodical approach taken by others. BRAD STROMAN begins his work with a simple leaf or rock, sketching his subject within specific boundaries and composition. The underlying message of our environmental gift and its precarious future, is captured within the Japanese Zen Buddhist concept of wabi-sabi present in each painting. “My paintings become a stage where both man-made and natural objects play out their delicate balancing act. It is through this intimate interaction between my work and the viewer,” says Brad, ”that I hope a stronger understanding develops concerning our imperiled environment’s struggle against the daily ravages of man.”

LANDSCAPES ARE THE PASSION of some artists, including PAUL FLURY. “I want the viewer to capture a sense of tranquility, life at a slower pace,” he says. The river is a frequent subject of his painting, and the composition is typically sketched in pencil beforehand. Once the neutral gray under-painting is completed, he employs the glazing technique of application to establish depth and atmosphere. ROBERT HEILMAN employs the same careful layering technique, his under-paintings meticulously executed. His articulation of the play of light across a field on a late summer day, or the feel of the air on an evening walk down the street is characteristic of his paintings.

THE GADJO PLAYBOYS will be the featured entertainment at the February 13th reception. Formed in 2001, the Gadjos are a collection of five gifted musicians who “respectfully attempt to walk in the footsteps” of the likes of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli. “The music, reminiscent of 1930’s Parisian string jazz clubs, is hot, sophisticated and swings… big time. The tone is unmistakably human and hits both your heart and your brain’s rhythm box with equal impact.”

THE GALLERY SUPPORTS JAZZ alongside Fine Art as "simply a natural pairing"- exhibiting work of some of the area's most exceptional jazz talents. The suggested $5.00 cover charge supports the musicians, as many of the bands regularly agree to perform for less than they typically command, or for whatever comes in the door. Your generous support allows Lynden Gallery to keep the music coming in this acoustically pleasant, smoke-free environment, the vibe resonating between the visual and musical arts.

LYNDEN GALLERY features central Pennsylvania’s largest Fine Art Gallery, offering Custom Framing, Art and Interior Design Consultation to a discerning clientele. Located at 117 South Market Street, in Downtown Elizabethtown’s original Fire Hall, the gallery is open Tuesday thru Saturday 9:00 to 5:00. Evening hours are available by appointment. Directions can be found on the gallery website, www.lyndengallery.com, or by calling 717-367-9236. The gallery is handicap accessible and offers convenient parking.

For the inside scoop, see the Lynden Gallery blogspot, "eat well and buy more art"