NH Artists Host Solo Shows At Seacoast Artist Association

Press release from Seacoast Artist Association:

A self-taught and somewhat lawless artist, Zoe Brooke is intrigued by the magic and dexterity of color while exploring the various complexities of finding joy within the fabric of our daily lives. She paints with exuberance and expressionism and is constantly stretching boundaries seeking out ideas, concepts and methods in all things.

Last year, Zoe was diagnosed with a rare genetic eye disease that is progressively eroding her vision. While the prognosis is unclear and varies from person to person, it is likely she will eventually lose most of her central and color vision and may even lose her ability to paint altogether. In the meantime though, her plan is simple: seek out, revel in, and actively create as many wild, daring, and beautiful things as she possibly can.

The paintings in Zoe’s August solo show “Wellspring” at the Seacoast Artist Association in downtown Exeter are all acrylics. Her paintings range from human and animal portraiture to landscape compilations and vibrant still life interpretations. Her work can be found in various galleries around New England, several private collections, as well as a variety of shows and festivals throughout the year.

As an artist, Zoe considers herself a collector - of colors, of ideas, of feelings, of moods. She believes there is an incredible amount of complexity and contradiction at the heart of every human being, and she’s in the business of connecting some of those dots in an attempt to capture a glimpse of the beauty that lies in between. Zoe lives and paints in Portsmouth, NH with her husband, Russell and their two cats, Milo & Clementine.

The oil paintings in Mary Crump’s solo show “Giving Expression to New Hampshire’s Scenic Site” capture an emotional moment—the view from a mountain top, a run down a ski slope, a flowing mountain stream. Those of us who remember “Scenic New Hampshire” on our state license plates may think we know these iconic sites but will now see them in a whole new light. In her August solo exhibit “Giving Expression to New Hampshire’s Scenic Sites,” Mary explores and experiments with color and light even as she is constantly challenged by the special effects of light on the surrounding scene during plein air painting. To enhance her memory of a particular scene she often takes photographs and makes on-site watercolor sketches. She will include both landscapes and portraits in this show.

A New Hampshire native, Mary has been a teacher of art for the past thirty years. After completing a Fine Arts degree at UCLA she has continued to learn from artists such as Stoney Jacobs, Stan Moeller, and Todd Bonita, and at the Art Institute in Manchester. She continues her study and exploration of color by giving classes in color theory. Mary paints with the Plein Air Painters of New Hampshire and is a juried member of the New Hampshire Art Association. She lives in Concord, NH.

“Wellspring” and “Giving Expression to New Hampshire’s Scenic Sites” both run from Wednesday, August 3rd through Sunday, August 28th. The Seacoast Artist Association is in historic downtown Exeter at 130 Water Street and parking is free. The gallery is open Wed-Sat 10-5 and Sun 1-4. The “Second Friday” reception will be held on August 12, 5-7pm and the public is invited. “Second Friday Exeter” is a new and growing town-wide celebration of community through art and culture held each month. Visit the SAA as well as galleries Art Up Front Street and Exeter Fine Crafts. Updates and more info at their Second Friday Exeter Facebook page.

This press release was produced by Seacoast Artist Association. The views expressed here are the author's own.