Exhibition Offers Light Touch
copyright Methow Valley News - April 16, 2008 by Marcy Stamper

Back in the silvery depths of winter, curator Roxie Miller visualized luminous washes of watercolor and the transparent beauty of glass as a way of celebrating the return of light in the spring.

Seeing "A Light Touch, Translucent Art Forms" arrayed in all its vibrancy at Confluence Gallery, it is clear that her vision was perceptive.

The first wall one sees is devoted to artist Jim Weaver's oversized blooms, resplendent in crimson and scarlet and reminiscent of botanical studies in their lifelike leaves and petals.

Yet Weaver, an Oroville-based watercolorist, takes the flowers beyond botanical precision, imbuing them with an exultant spirit through close-up compositions and saturated hues. Weaver wrote that he aims to "communicate natures's moods and forms"

Many other watercolorists also paint from nature, but each style is so different that it is primarily the choice of medium that links them.It's a reflection of many techniques possible in watercolor", said Miller.

Jacqueline DeGavia is affected by the overcast skies of the Anacortes coast. Stylistically, her paintings are almost like oils, with threatening weather and barren, windblown trees.

John Adams' paintings show the influences of graphic design, emphasizing geometry and a kinetic sense of movement. La Conner- based Joann Ossewarde"s paintings are almost abstract, with detail applied in ink.

Patty Yates painted charming schools of fish, hawks and vivid green aspens.

Paula Christen is exhibiting street scenes rendered in a watery transparency that evokes a relaxed ambience.

Fay Kahn, based in Vancouver, WA, combines watercolor and batik techniques to create whimsical, colorful paintings of berry pies and parfaits on filmy Japanese paper.

Miller is pairing watercolor with glass art to highlight how the color, texture and refractory properties of the medium shape light.

Laura Aspenwall is exhibiting gracefully shaped vases executed in an ancient glassblowing technique that incorporates twisting colored filaments.

Jeremy Newman and Allison Ciancibelli of Twisp River Glass are showing matte vessels that are almost opaque, including nested bowls enclosing wool and speckled eggs.

Laura Rudd has created mosaics with a social theme. Her series entitles "World Piece" features arching shapes against a dark background, suggesting a world hanging in the balance.

Using the materials and vocabulary of shoji lamps - exquisite woods and nubby papers - Laura Karcher created extravagantly tactile hanging sculptures. Karcher's love for "the beautiful shimmering patterns of the wood grain" is evident in these curving, organic pieces.

Translucent silk fabrics - wall hangings and wearable art - hand dyed by Sara Ashford are also on view.