The latest exhibition at the Jessie Edwards Gallery features a new body of work by Carrie Megan and opens on August 8th and runs through August 19th.
This painting collection invites us to dream about the places and spaces we love. It asks us to not be too attached to the absolutes of a place but instead to breathe into and embody the feelings a place evokes. There is a sense of the ephemeral as we look at each of these oil on canvas works. The artist beautifully portrays her favourite subjects: low horizons, large skies and clouds. There is an otherworldly sense to her art and this may in part be because these paintings are all from her imagination. These were entirely composed from her memory and feelings from coastal areas. She started in the most abstract way and as she painted layer upon layer she introduced representational elements to give form and structure and recognition in a quiet, minimalist way. These paintings are each a place of serenity and a refuge from the busyness of the world.
The colors of Carrie’s work are subdued and calm. One thing which stands out in these newer paintings are that her usual palette of corals and pinks is being shared with blues. ‘Cottage Dream’, the smallest work in the show at 8 x 8”, is a tranquil piece. The cottage calls to us, offering a place of solitude in which to enjoy this beautiful blue sky summers’ day.
Most of the work we’ve had by this artist is in a square format but in this show she’s offered three oblong pieces (24 x 12” and 24 x 48”) in order to share larger vistas which might find a different place in a home. ‘Crest’ is a vertical piece which invites us to wander down a path to explore what might be just over the hill. With the low horizon and minimal trees, this place feels coastal, calm and inviting.
‘Luminous Hues’ is a sublime large horizontal piece (24 x 48”) with bold, yet muted, colors and sweeping views. The trees provide a spot to rest and recalibrate. A feeling of ease and openness reminds us to slow down and enjoy the view.
The largest square piece in this exhibition is ‘Blustery’, a 36 x 36” painting which reminds us that fall is just around the corner. The beautiful autumnal hues coupled with the swirling sky invites us to grab a sweater and go for a walk down this sandy path to a, perhaps, churning ocean beyond.
There is a universal feel to all these paintings which make exact location irrelevant. It is enough that they have a coastal feel and allow us to use our own imagination to make them a special place for us.
This latest show will calm the chaos and offer you a respite in this busy world. Come enjoy this latest exhibition and be reminded of why we all love this coastal area so much. The Gallery can be found overlooking Old Harbor, upstairs in the iconic Post Office Building. Come for the art and stay for the view.