Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Book Review: The Marriage of Opposites by Alice Hoffman



In this work of historical fiction, Alice Hoffman elaborates upon the life history of artist Camille Pissarro, growing up in an outcast Jewish family on the island of St. Thomas.  Instead of helping with the family business, he finds himself drawn to art.  Hoffman describes his vision as such: “ I had always looked at the world as if it were a puzzle — whether it was a scene, a landscape, or a person — the pieces dissolved inside my mind so that I could then put them back together to form a whole.”  He draws and paints the vivid color-filled island scenes, then eventually travels to Paris to paint the city scenes there.


The Marriage of Opposites is a story about loves lost and found, families’ long held secrets, island life and the myths that perpetuate through generations.  Ghost stories, spirits and werewolves spook characters’ imaginations.  Magical realism is sprinkled throughout. The color Haint Blue plays an important role — “blue kept unwanted spirits away; ghosts and demons could not cross over water, nor could they enter a room that was the color of the sea.” Now I know why so many porch ceilings are painted this light blue-green color.  Haint blue, I’ll have to add it to my palette and will be reminded of Camille Pissarro and this haunting book whenever I use it.  Enjoy Alice Hoffman’s lush prose, engaging story and learn a little about one of the art world’s most famous painters.

Monday, December 14, 2015

Peebles Art & Wine Event

  
The totally organized brainchild of LAC member Kathy Ross, the ‘Art on Loan’ event was a first for LAC.

Joining forces with Rick Peebles, owner of Peebles Prosthetics, a dental prosthetics lab, the LAC solved the problem of his building’s bare walls by displaying a variety of member artwork!  As a result, Rick got a more attractive facility for employees and clients, and the LAC got wonderful exposure of our abilities and offerings as a non-profit organization.

     While beginning with the idea of furthering exposure of the many talented LAC artists, the show wrapped up with a tremendous reception on December 10th.
 

Rick’s employees, led by Cindy Kelly, Sales and Marketing Director, were also on hand to organize and serve.
 
 
Attended by many artists and Peebles’ clients and friends, Kathy organized a fun evening, including a scavenger hunt, raffle drawings, silent auction, musical entertainment,and the opportunity to get a jump on holiday shopping by buying from the artists’ sales tables.
 
Throughout the evening, the reception crowd flowed around the entire second floor of the building, weaving down the hallways where the art on loan was hung several months ago and into the large training room for announcements of prizes.  The corner break room held a large selection of wonderful food!
 

And the decision was made among everyone involved that such success deserves a repeat!  Look for another opportunity for this event later in 2016!
by Ann Quinn