Best of West Virginia 2011

Haeberle

The 4th Annual Best of West Virginia Juried Exhibition opened June 19, 2011 at Tamarack. Thirty-six counties in WV with 109 artists are represented in the exhibition that runs until August 13th. Christine Humphrey, Gallery Manager, commented that it showcases the most talented and creative artists in West Virginia.

Moul

Two members of the Renaissance Gallery had artwork accepted into this special show. Ron Haeberle, of Huntington, WV, had a watercolor of a West Virginia river and Laura Moul, of Milton, WV, had a metallic photographic reflection of Stewart Hall into the windows of the Mountainlair at West Virginia University.

Currently at the Renaissance Gallery is a solo exhibition of Ron Haeberle's "Surf and Turf a serious look at landscapes". Laura also has artwork in the gallery. The Renaissance Art Gallery is open to the public Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It is located on the ground floor of the Renaissance Building (the old Huntington High School) on the corner of 8th Street and 9th Avenue.

The Renaissance Art Gallery is an artist co-operative gallery focusing on the work of local artists. Their mission is to promote art and art education in the community and among its members.

Additions to the Renaissance Art Gallery

New Members June 2011

Pati Payne

Pati Payne: Painter—New Member



Artist Pati Payne enjoys life and this enjoyment is reflected in her work. The work submitted to the 4th Annual National Spring Fine Art Exhibition, “Parks & Recreation” is typical for her. Children playing in autumn leaves, flying kites and riding a seesaw in the park. These three works were perfect for this show, yes, but also perfect examples of well developed themes and composition. Each shows her high level of skill and development as an artist. The Renaissance Art Gallery is proud to welcome Pati to its membership and to award her space to permanently display her award winning art.



Linda Harbison: Painter & Sculptor—New Member




Linda Harbison


Many of you who have visited the Renaissance Art Gallery during the Spring Fine Art Exhibition, “Parks & Recreation” have commented on Linda Harbison’s watercolors of Camden Park, one of Huntington, WV’s most beloved landmarks. You will all be pleased to know that painter and sculptor Linda Harbison has joined the Renaissance Art Gallery and will soon have her own display in the main gallery. Over the coming months you can see her artwork in the main gallery, as well as enjoy her company on walk-through on her gallery days.



Laura Moul: Photographer—New Member



Also joining at this time is landscape photographer, Laura Moul. She has been a frequent participant in our annual shows and a long time friend of the Renaissance Art Gallery. She is in her own right a well known and award winning artist. She also will have a permanent presence in the Gallery and will be a valuable resource on fine art photography and all the changes technology has brought to the field.

Laura Moul

One of the nicest things about the Renaissance Art Gallery is the artists. Each and every person manning the gallery is an active-productive artist from our community

“Surf and Turf” - Landscapes and Seascapes in Watercolor.



Clear Morning on Dry Branch
Ron Haeberle

 While this exhibition is not limited to landscapes and seascapes, they are the centerpiece. It is a collection which includes both older pieces that represent “landmarks” in the development of way I paint and new work that is still damp.


When I began painting, much of my early effort went into paintings of buildings or street scenes representing places I had visited. I was frustrated in the effort by producing stiff, uncomfortable looking images lacking the sense and feel I sought from watercolor. I began to cast about for a different approach. Surveying the works of others, I was soon able to find paintings to which I could simply say – “I like that”. I used that inspiration to begin to create landscapes that satisfied my desire to produce work that gave a comfortable sense of being there. A long series of landscapes has followed. Almost by definition my landscapes contain water. I suppose this comes from the challenge this presents in painting and the interest it adds if you can get it right.

It is no surprise then that portraying the sea with watercolor was the next challenge. My objective was to create images that would capture the sea in a realistic way without becoming overly romantic in the manner of many seascapes. It was my good fortune to strike the balance I was seeking very early on. A continuing series of surf paintings has been the result. In the process of doing research (sitting in a beach chair at varying times of the day) I begin to understand the profound way the sun, sky and wind determine the personality of the ever changing sea. There is no shortage of new images to record.

Morning Surf XII
Ron Haeberle

In the interest of full disclosure the exhibit includes a smattering of other subjects – the odd building, still life and portrait. These represent a continuing interest in attempting any subject that represents a challenge. As often happens, this has opened the door to a series of architectural paintings of Huntington buildings of both beauty and historical importance.

Most importantly these works represent my attempt to allow the viewer to experience a moment in time in a place they may not have visited. Not only by seeing but sensing the smells and sounds and feeling the warmth of the sun or the cool of the shade.