On The Walls: Figure Enlightenment

Have you checked out the new gallery Art Mart?

In the first year there has been a monumental amount of artists and musicians.

There is something going on every weekend, but this weekend is special.

As always from 6-9pm you can ride the FREE trolley right up to our door step and join us for chef prepared spreads, refreshing cool drinks and music in celebration of spring and our April group show.

This show was curated by the artists themselves!

Figure Enlightenment is about the human form, in all of it’s glory. Come to Art Mart and celebrate your body and look at the art that comes from the human figure of all shapes and sizes and beautiful COLOR.

Photography and painting on the walls of Michael Dean, Sharon Blanchard, and Sarah Jones.

Michael Dean is a well known artist around the Fredericksburg area. Graduated valedictorian from the University of Mary Washington, Dean is a very motivated artist as you can see is apparent in his large scale work. He is now a professor at Germanna Community College, and was actually my teacher for my two classes three years ago. Always positive and motivating, Michael loves teaching not only about art, but life lessons he has learned and the strides he’s made as an artist, professor, and friend.

Sharon Blanchard is a contemporary artist from Hampton VA but she’s been in Fredericksburg for 16 years. Working with Liberty Town in 06. Then started taking oil painting with Bill Harris 8 years ago. Also have taken painting and sculpturing classes with Michael Dean.

We at Art Mart are happy to show Sarah Jones (Lyric Soullay Photography) for her second time. Featured in True Grit, Sarah shows work not only of photography, but theatrical settings and outfits and headdresses she makes herself in her studio. Now the colorful Roma artist is back displaying her first nude photography, and you do not want to miss it!

Michael Dean

1.What does the figure enlightenment mean to you?

Figure enlightenment means how the figure enhances the space it shares itself with.

2. Where do i find my inspiration?

It depends,,as an artist I feel like the human form as all the elements of life all rolled up in one tight little package,so why not take advantage of the gift and paint it to the way I see it.

3. What is your favorite aspect of the body?

The way the body can conform to the environment it is in is my favorite aspect. Inside outside, on the moon or under the covers it fits just the way you want too.

4. In all of your years of doing art, what monumental moment sticks out the most like a sore thumb?

The most monumental was in 1971 I had quit high school and joined the army. I was in basic training and my art teacher Mrs. Knapp took the time to write me a letter and tell me she had enter my silkscreen piece in an art show and it won a prize in D.C. and had placed in a show up in NY ,NY. It made be realize that there was one thing on this earth that I might have a chance at.

Sharon Blanchard

1.What does figure enlightenment mean to you?

SB:To embrace all shapes in sizes.

2. Where do you find your inspiration?

SB:I would say I’m inspired by Picasso, Monet, bingo, and local artist like Michael Dean and Bill Harris.

3. What’s your favorite aspect of the body?

SB:Not one in particular just the movement. The fact that you can move in so many ways is amazing.

4. In all of your years of doing art, what monumental moment sticks out the most like a sore thumb?

SB:When i was 18 I went to the Boston museum of fine arts and that hooked me. It was a Monet that I had seen and it sparked me to study all of his work.

5. How do you respond to those who misrepresent your art as a more scandalous art?

SB: It is abstract, contemporary, and classic so no one has actually said anything like that...yet.

Sarah Jones

1. What does figure enlightenment mean to you?

SJ: How I see it we are all walking pieces of art. Our body shapes - mannerisms – our flaws and all around genetic makeup make us unique from one another. As a visual artist I attempt to pinpoint the things that make us different. Being aware of our bodies and accepting them ourselves is fundamental in accepting ourselves and once you shed the fear of social clothing and pretenses of what society deems beautiful ….well the possibilities are endless.

2. Where do you find your inspiration?

SJ: I am a story hoarder….I collect books on many different subjects mainly mythology and folklore. I find my inspiration here mostly these stories tell us about the human condition and that fascinates me. Nature also inspires me, I spend a lot of time out in the woods just sitting there quietly. Our lives become so busy that we forget it is important to slow down and absorb the world around us.

3. What’s your favorite aspect of the body?

SJ: Scars…..I understand that sounds strange but I would definitely have to say scars. Because it’s the one thing we can never truly hide. I suppose we could cover it but we cannot hide it from ourselves. Scars tell stories – they are road maps on our flesh that remind us that we all fight our own demons...and are on a constant search for what binds us here...we seek truths forever hidden in the darkness of our true natures and hide behind the masks we present to the world around us. Feelings of emptiness flood in and out and the more difficult the process to feel whole again, if whole is something we have ever truly felt. The more we focus on that which has cut us deeply the further the pain spreads. You see in time the pain does fade, but the scars...the scars serve as a reminder of our suffering and make us as the bearer all the more resolved to never be wounded again. But somehow someway we once again find ourselves cut open- heart bared trusting those around us to protect this fragile organ ...our life force ...trust ....but we never seem to learn that it is prudent to never trust anyone who has deceived us not even once. Not even ourselves.

4. In all of your years of doing art, what monumental moment sticks out the most like a sore thumb?

SJ: I have only been creating since 2011 as far as a career. I have had many bumps and bruises along the way, but I would have to say the moment I realized that I was changing those around me. I found that I was no longer just creating for myself, but I was establishing a body of work that was moving others. I had found a way to channel emotion into my imagery. Through the use of women who are not professional models I was able to tap into a raw moment that connected the “model” to the world I was creating. We all deserve to feel beautiful (gender does not define beauty – we do) and I use my work as a platform to encourage that no matter our flaws we are in essence beautiful to our core. So being able to show people that they have the capability to embrace what others may find unlikeable about themselves and turning it into something good – has made all the difference in my career.

5.How do you respond to those who misrepresent your art as a more scandalous art?

SJ: I have yet to really come up against this. My work isn’t really subversive though in the last year I was been looking to create pieces that make the viewer to think. My images since the beginning have things hidden in them….if you study one of my images it isn’t usually just the first thing that you see ( usually the model) it has layers of symbolism – from color choices to costuming and props everything serves a purpose. I have however had a show that was removed because it was deemed “demonic” which at the time was confusing because it was a fairytale collection and I didn’t understand how princesses and bright colors could be demonic. But, we all interpret things differently there is no fault in that. I try to keep an open mind and I would hope those viewing my work would do the same.

When? 4/1/2016, 6-9 pm

Where? Art Mart, 1405 Princess Anne St. FXBG

For more information and full music schedule: www.artmartfxbg.com