Gallery CNY Art Blog

A Special Reception with Nicora Gangi at The Gallery of CNY:

Special Reception

Oil Paintings by Nicora Gangi

"Through the Trees"

Only This Friday, July 30th

5:00pm-7pm

The Gallery of CNY

58 Albany Street

Cazenovia, NY 13035

Nicora Gangi is in the midst of a remarkable evolution in her oil painting. Seven of her newest pieces will at the gallery tomorrow, Friday, July 31st from 5-7pm. Many of these pieces are going to a show in another gallery, and Nicora has agreed to let me present them first to collectors and key patrons of The Gallery of CNY. A true opportunity for us. Nicora will be here for the gathering from 5pm-7pm. The gallery will be open until 8pm for Finally Fridays in Cazenovia.

MAKE IT A NIGHT

OF ART IN CAZENOVIA!

The Cazenovia Public Library is also hosting a reception for Cazenovia watercolor artist, Tom McCobb. The Cazenovia College Gallery is showing "Cazenovia Artists: A Retrospective of Four Fabulous Women" Stop by The Cazenovia Artisians, The Chameleon Gallery & Marsella Galleries all right here in the village! See below for more information about these events...

More about Friday night, Nicora Gangi & the paintings:

At the gallery will be a series of seven paintings of sunlight hitting the trees throughout the day just completed by the artist. Nicora's work has been chosen to be highlighted in this September's edition of American Art Collector, our industry's magazine. The artist has long been nationally acclaimed for her pastels and for her unique expression of light. For the first time, Im seeing this same personal expression of light in her oils.

Through the Trees Paintings

"Linking the many encounters that I had while growing up near a large forest of tall trees, this series of paintings from my visits to Skaneateles & Tully New York, draws from those experiences. The trees with their wide canopy of branches always offered shelter and a treasure grove of hidden memories. My days were spent watching the sunrise or sunset in these forests which imprinted my memory with their indelible colors and textures, their voids and fullness to capture those moments in paint for future days spent without a forest nearby in which to dwell, or receive inspiration. Daylight momentarily sets on the trunks and on the leaves below in a grove of trees guiding the viewer in and through the cathedral of forest life while bearing witness to the quiet spirit within." - Nicora Gangi

Aldous Huxley once wrote, “We apprehend Him in the alternate voids and fullness of a cathedral; in the space that separates the salient features of a picture; in the living geometry of a flower, a seashell, an animal; in the pauses and intervals between the notes of music, in the difference of tones and sonority; and finally, on the plane of conduct, in the love and gentleness, the confidence and humility, which give beauty to the relationships between human beings.”

Artist Bio & Statement:

Nicora Gangi, nationally recognized for her pastels, received a grant in 2006 from the Pollock-Krasner Foundation to teach herself to paint in oil. In her oils - just as in her pastels - she uses color and value to depict dramatic light and reflections. But even more and beyond technique, Nicora captures and celebrates the beauty of anything she paints. Contact The Gallery of CNY for artwork available by the artist. Artist’s Statement: Everything has its testing point in the eye, an organ which eventually involves the whole personality and as much of the world as can be got into it. To see the world rightly, to learn to 'stare' at it, is difficult, sight is a moral sense. We must have our eyes open if we are going to see 'what is' for what it is. My aim as an artist is to use the eyes of my heart to penetrate this concrete world order to realize at its depths the ultimate reality; and to render the sublime - that aesthetic experience of being overwhelmed, filled with awe at something so majestic it evokes a sense of the One who created this astonishing universe. -Nicora Gangi 2008 Artist Biography: Born in Indiana, Gangi was educated at the Hartford Art School, Montclair State College and Syracuse University where she received a BFA and MFA. Her fields include both fine arts and art education. She was faculty for 27 years at Syracuse University, Studio Arts and Design Programs. She lectures and exhibits regionally and nationally. In 1998, Gangi was one of three finalists chosen by Artist Magazine for their yearly competition. In 2000, she was featured in the Pastel Artist International magazine. Design magazine, CMYK, has featured her work several times and in 2001, she was awarded the honorable Harris Popular Award, from the Memorial Art Gallery in Rochester NY. In 2003, Gangi was the featured artist in American Artist magazine and American Artist Highlights Still Life magazine featured her pastels in 2005. The Pastel Journal awarded Gangi the Grand Prize for use of pastels in April 2005 and International Artist featured Gangi in their spring 2006 issue. The "Calvin Institute of Christian Worship" website featured Gangi's work in April 2006; also in 2006, Gangi's editorial artwork was in "Pray!" and in "Discipleship Journal". A number of her pastel paintings are published in the books, Pure Color and Finding Your Visual Voice and on book covers by Crown & Covenant Press and Shepherd Press. The Comstack Review and The Stone Canoe Journal of Arts features Gangi's work.

At the Cazenovia Public Library:

Art Exhibit by Tom McCobb

During August and September, 2010, visitors to the Cazenovia Public Library Art Gallery will enjoy an exhibition entitled “Fifty Years of Painting” by artist Tom McCobb. Openings for this exhibition will be held on Friday, July 30th and Friday, August 6th from 5:00-7:00 pm at the Library. On July 30th, art enthusiasts will also be able to enjoy on opening by artist Nicora Gangi at The Gallery of Central New York, 58 Albany Street, Cazenovia, NY. All are cordially invited.

McCobb’s painting adventure began in his early teens. Although interrupted by a short period in the military and a long stint in corporate America, he continues his painting to this day as he nears is 80th birthday.

Though largely self-taught, his experience also includes formal training. His first teacher, Harold Walcott, took him through the basics of drawing and the techniques of oil painting. He also encouraged McCobb to take along a copy of Ted Kautzky’s book, Ways with Watercolors, when he went into the service. The inspiration of Kautzky and his enthusiasm for watercolor have been major influences on McCobb’s work ever since.

In 1980, after encouragement from Merrill Bailey, McCoff began painting full time. He worked with several artists who influenced his work: Carl Schmalz--watercolor techniques, Zygmund Jankowski--visual and emotional impact, Christopher Schink--color and design, and Serge Hollerback--figure and composition. McCobb also studied at the Rhode Island School of Design and the National Academy of Art in New York City. All of these influences, along with an active program of self-study, have coalesced into a vibrant, loose, strong, and individualistic painting style.

The towns, farms, and distant vistas along Route 20 in upstate New York; the passing rural character of his native Connecticut; the atmospheric views of Cape Cod; and the subtle colors of the Southwest--these are McCobb’s favorite subjects. Painting on location all year round, and preferably in the morning, McCobb knows and experiences what he paints.

To watch McCobb paint a watercolor is a lesson in courage. In the execution of a painting, he will sometimes load a large brush with color and almost attack the painting. He doesn’t hesitate to try something new if he thinks a painting needs it, and he is not shy about taking risks. While watercolor is his preferred medium, oils and pastels are often used as well to develop recurring themes. This boldness and freeness are apparent when encountering a McCobb painting.

McCobb’s philosophy about painting is illuminating. “Painting is an adventure,” he states, “a revealing encounter between the artist and his subject. The academic definition would be something like this--a personal reaction recorded and conveyed through the formal elements of shape, line, color, tone, etc., defining the artist’s concept. All or any of these elements may be the initial inspiration for a painting. And their skillful arrangement can produce a pleasing image. But, that’s not the whole story. There must be emotional content to a successful painting.”

“In today’s world,” he continues, “technical advances in imaging, color choices, composition, and even drawing produce skillful renderings. The question remains, where is all this technical proficiency taking art? In my opinion, we are relying too heavily on mechanics and not enough on content. Emotional engagement is sadly missing.”

In addition to instructing painting classes in his studio, McCobb taught a popular painting class for many years at Round Top Center for the Arts in Damarascotta, Maine. His professional credentials include several one-man shows and juried group shows, as well as painting workshops from coast to coast, where he is a popular instructor. His work is included in over 200 private and corporate collections here and abroad.

The Art Gallery at the Cazenovia Public Library is open on week days from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 pm and on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 pm. For more information, contact the library at 655-9322 or at www.cazenoviapubliclibrary.org.

At The Cazenovia College Library:

"Artists of Cazenovia: A Retrospective of Four Fabulous Women"

Exhibition features work by Dorothy Riester, Prudence and Priscilla Burg, and Lucy Eliot, and culminate in an auction of Eliot’s paintings.

The auction is scheduled for Aug. 1. Proceeds from the auction will provide funds to continue the Summer Art Series in 2011.

Exhibition runs July 23, 24, 25, and July 30, 31, and Aug. 1

Auction - Sunday, Aug. 1

Summer Gallery Hours:

Fridays – 6 to 8 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays – 1 to 4 p.m.

For more information, contact Jennifer Schutzendorf at The Gallery of CNY. 315.655.3707, mobile 315-559-6156 or thegallery@gallerycny.com

The Gallery of CNY

58 Albany Street, Cazenovia, NY 13035

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