Friday, April 10, 2009

LISA HALL: POET WITH A PALETTE!

What gorgeous surprises! On a recent Sunday when I needed an art infusion, I found not only a delicious art exhibit, but a gallery space which was new to me! CATERINA Ltd., 571 South Third Street in German Village, Columbus, Ohio, is a tall historical old German Village building. Inside it you'll find color-full-state-of-the-art-pottery and kitchen-ware, and many imported objects which are to die for. --Yet, on the third floor you'll find a bonafide and spacious art gallery! --Caterina Gallery, of course!

HIGH SPIRITED, an exhibit of LISA HALL's medium to large size oil paintings will show at CATERINA through May 15, and they are quite good, quite pleasing, and quite original in an understated kind of way.

In 2008 Lisa and her husband rode motorcycles through the Alps, and the artist stopped to capture the mountainous and pastoral countryside. --Yes, you'll find a small white church nestled in one green mountain valley, and you'll see gorgeous snows and meadows! --You'll find that Hall knows how to "blow you away" with warm (and cool) muted colors! --She's a genius at thickly applied brush strokes --she may use a palette knife, I forgot to ask! --And she understands texture.

Her yellow sun rays dance. The greens, blues, and lavenders she harvests from the natural world become gentle choreography. Some of her landscapes resemble weavings. --Look closely, look from far away!


On TOP OF THE WORLD, the painting which became Hall's post card image, is the closest the artist comes to pure abstraction in this exhibit which is, despite my reluctance to label, "an example of abstractionism with just enough hard edge." The artist has managed to be derivative without being passé. To conclude: when you see Hall's poetic mountain-scapes "you'll want to go there." --These are definitely paintings to live with.

(Click on the image to see a larger version. Click the back arrow to return to this blog.)

In the hall SUSAN ASTLEFORDS's glorious blossoms made me think of Shakespeare's sonnets -- his birthday is in April,-- and DAVID PHALEN's photographs are first rate. --Especially the warm and friendly bar scene in Wales. --I'm Welsh-American so I may be prejudiced, but Phalen is darn good. --I'm darn glad I discovered CATERINA!