Vivid Art Gallery First Friday Art Opening

Vivid Art Gallery will host an art opening for Featured Artist Susan Jacoby on October 4th at its monthly First Friday. The event, which runs from 5-7 PM, is open to all and is free of charge. In addition to great art, there will also be refreshments and live music.
 
Jacoby will be presenting her newest work in her exhibit entitled Quietude. She describes the meaning of quietude as “A cultivated state of being, a conscious embrace of stillness that transcends the mere sensory experience of being quiet. A state of mind and soul where one finds harmony and equilibrium.” 
 
Basing her work on a photograph, or several, Susan begins her process by painting two initial underlying layers. First, she covers her entire canvas using a specific orange-red color. She explains, “I like starting with the orange-red background because my colors end up very subtle and very quiet. The red underpainting keeps the colors lively. In my second layer I typically sketch the scene, again using bright colors. With the thin layers that I use, these colors provide the painting with some luminosity that I subsequently build upon with additional layers.” 
 
Like much of her previous work, Susan’s exhibit will consist of interpretations of the sky and water. She says, “I am particularly drawn to the water and sky not only because of the ever-changing patterns they provide, but also because of the climatic changes that allow various aspects of the landscape to emerge. Observing and engaging with nature provides me with the language to create my own silent spaces. As she is surrounded by a wealth of ever-changing inspiration in northwest Michigan and suburban Chicago, she is drawn to expansive vistas, shifting skyscapes, and ephemeral atmospheric conditions. Says Susan, “Rather than a realistic depiction of a place, my paintings evoke the remembrance of a moment, combining observation with imagination.” Such atmospheric qualities she searches for include the reflection of the sun off of the clouds, or the misty, foggy landscape after a hard rain. 
 
Adding to the serenity of her work, Susan paints using a technique that renders her canvases completely smooth, devoid of any visible brushstrokes.  When combined with her quiet scenes and color palette, the resulting paintings exude calm.  Collectors seek out these tranquil paintings for the peaceful feeling they bring to their homes.
 
In addition to the opening at Vivid, the Hubbard Woods Design District will also be hosting its annual Art Walk from 4-7 PM on October 4^th, during which businesses throughout the district will display work by a local artist. In addition, live music will play throughout the neighborhood.  
 
Susan’s newest work will be up throughout the month of October. Please stop by the gallery during the month to see her exhibit.