"5
Rhodes Traveled" features five Rhode Island artists – Stacey
Graham, Sean James Harrington, Karen Houston, Carol Mossa and
Xavier – whose paintings, photographs, and sculptures challenge
viewers to see the world from along the varied “rhodes” they
have traveled.
Stacey Graham’s road has taken her from antique restoration to
fine art painting. We see “an intense love for figurative art,
drawn from personal experience, depicting an intense balance
between bold color and repetitive shapes, creating a carefully
balanced narrative, of emotion, fragility, and the strength of
all things living.”
Sean James Harrington’s road is inspired by nature and myth. The
sculptures that emerged on his path are “surreal and satirical,
… metaphors of the unknown depths of time and space,” exploring
“the conflicts between spirit and reason” to express “fear and
wonder … while embracing the myths and fantasy that seem to calm
our worries and give us a sense of immortality.”
Karen Houston is a plein air painter whose journey explores “the
mood and emotion you can invoke in a brushstroke.” Challenging
herself to “observe closely the values and shapes of [her]
subjects, as well as how they relate to each other in nature,”
Houston invites viewers to experience the peace and tranquility
of the natural scenes on her path.
Carol Mossa’s photographs take us to a realm where time stands
still. We enter another dimension: weathered, rusting, decayed,
defaced, evanescent. To Mossa, “there’s a certain alchemy to the
whole photographic process for me … I lose track of time … and
the next thing I know, light and colors and textures dance
across the page, and that’s when I know God has been here.”
Xavier’s road takes us via graffiti and cartoons into the realm
of the aesthetic of a soul as expressed in intricate abstract
designs. According to Xavier, “art is therapeutic, giving one
the ability to safely escape into their own imagination. … I am
an inventor of things that didn’t exist. I am an entertainer,
creating aesthetically pleasing designs for others to enjoy.”
My art consists of brightly colored narratives, based on personal experiences, people I have met, and places I have traveled. Mostly of a figurative nature, I enjoy bold colors and experimentation which allows me to change and grow as an artist.
My work explores the fears and wonders of the unknown.
I enjoy the challenges of Plein Air painting, whether it be chasing the light or adapting to the unpredictable weather that Mother Nature throws at me. I find the beauty of being outdoors and painting in the moment incredibly satisfying.
There's a certain alchemy to the whole photographic process for me. I go out with anticipation, and soon enthusiasm sets in. Before long, I lose track of time, and I am transported to another dimension. When I come to, I am at my computer questioning the process, my abilities, and my eye and cursing my lack of good fortune. During the editing process, I lose track of time again, and the next thing I know, light and colors and textures dance across the page, and that's when I know God has been here.
I
believe art is an extraordinary platform allowing one to express
emotions with aesthetically pleasing designs. My Artwork comes
from my soul, not just because I'm trying to make something
pretty. Although beauty is the initial attraction in any
relationship, Including the relationship between a Work of Art
and its admirer. My work incorporates a blend of abstract
designs with subject matter. I enjoy working with acrylic and
oil paints on canvas.
As a child, drawing was what I enjoyed doing more than anything.
By age ten people were paying me to draw them cartoons and
graffiti. With teacher recommendations, I attended Art Workshops
at Rhode Island School of Design. I fell in love with the
diversity and freedom to create whatever I wanted.
Art is therapeutic, giving one the ability to safely escape into
their own imagination. It helped me through many challenging
times growing up with a mom who was mentally ill. Having Art in
my life kept me out of the trouble my friends were getting into.
It kept me stimulated and gave me a positive obsession. As I
became older, I also became more educated. Art was important to
me. I liked it and I was good at it. By the time I was
twenty-four, I was involved with various projects and receiving
commissioned work from organizations as large as ESPN.
In recent years my focus is on Fine Art. I enjoy a paintbrush in
my hand and a canvas on my easel. I appreciate the freedom of
expression. I am an inventor of things that didn't exist. I am
an entertainer, creating aesthetically pleasing designs for
others to enjoy. My work is stimulating and is an investment to
a collector. My works are an extension of myself. To me a
document of me and my life. Xavier, American Artist
New sea creatures are swimming back to Newport. Two pair of green seahorses have made the journey followed closely by a grande blue sea turtle. He would look grande on any wall you choose! Sea creatures come in many colors and patterns as well.
Lumen printing on photo paper like a photogram. Then into photoshop and topaz studio
My daily ritual is to walk several miles, watching and listening, trying to capture in light, color, and form in what I see. I have a special affection for wild creatures, especially birds, whose colors, shapes, and poses captivate me, and I have worked hard to identify the birds around me even through their songs. Through my work, I want to share the many faces of nature, the wildness of spirit, and the interplay of light and shadow woven into the tapestry of the natural world.
Meredith LeBlanc's goal as an artist is to share what brings her joy and happiness. Her time at the easel is restful and freeing, a journey into herself to learn and grow. Spring is unique in the feeling of the energy rising up from the ground in rebirth from the deep nap of winter. The seeds and bulbs break open in the Earth and reach toward the sun, extending their stems, leaves, petals, and faces in a glorious display. Being encouraged by these beautiful flowers and trees, our moods are lifted and our spirits renewed.
I use a camera to make artistic images that capture a moment. To do that I must be part of the moment in spirt.
Southern New England's coast is experiencing the fastest sea level rise in the country. At this rate, all the ugly hotels on the harborfront will be erased, and centuries-old Trinity Church at the top of Queen Anne Square will have water lapping at the lower lawn.
I studied with the late Henry Schwartz, a renowned Boston Expressionst who often incorporated musical themes in his work. I keep my spiritual connection to him alive by also employing musical elements in my work.
Pigeons have been of interest to me for a long time. In this painting, I return to the theme of these very familiar urban birds. Many people consider them to be pests; they have been labelled "flying rats"; they are common to many cities around the world. Yet they are beautiful creatures nevertheless. In this painting, I have created a stylised version of them, made them into abstractions of themselves. I plan to continue experimenting with their shapes and poses. I expect this painting to be one of several similar ones.
These prints are paper lithographs with watercolors. The images are from photos taken of childhood dolls which were then manipulated on photoshop. The resulting black and white images were used as the paper plates for the prints. The prints are one of a kind because only one print was pulled from each paper plate.
On a late spring morning walk at third beach I noticed my favorite childhood snack stand in a nice light and knew it was going to end up a painting.
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