Thursday, February 2, 2012

ARTAMO GALLERY & ARTAMO PRESS · II WEST Anapamu ST · Santa BarbaRA · CALIFORNIa 93105
805-568-1400

 


CURRENT EXHIBITION AT ARTAMO GALLERY scroll down FOR GALLERY INFORMATION

STREET WISE — ASHLEIGH SUMNER
FEBRUARY 2–26 · 2012
OPENING RECEPTION: FEBRUARY 2 · 5–8 PM

ARTAMO GALLERY proudly presents Ashleigh Sumner and her newest work in a solo exhibition, a first in Santa Barbara. Ashleigh Sumner is a Los Angeles based actress and artist, originally from North Carolina.

As an actor, Sumner has appeared in popular television drama shows has starred in the comedy movie “And Then Came Lola”, a loose remake of the classic German film “Run Lola Run”.

As an artist, she makes the most amazing paintings — comparable to an explosion on canvas. Sumner gravitates toward the Abstract Expressionists of the 60’s. She says, her paintings are inspired by urban environments. The lines, frenetic energy, and movement of a metropolis are inspiring. The raw, gritty textures of industrial areas are oddly beautiful to her, and she tries to capture this essence in her work. In part, this is why she chose the industrial area of downtown Los Angeles as location for her studio.

In her early days as an artist, her goal was to create controlled work as close to realism as possible. Now when she paints, she has an explosive emotional experience. She expresses her way through the canvas. The canvas or wood panel in front of her represents a kind of intimate confrontation that manifests itself in a “flurry or action painting” that can feel angry, joyful, or sorrowful. The process feels like a fight or exuberant dance; an entangled, raw back and forth.

During this evolution, Sumner abandoned her brushes and began working with palette knives. This technique helped capture the rough texture and energy in the abstract urban landscapes she was creating.

In her latest work, she has started integrating collage, often with a strong Asian influence. This work has begun to reflect her personal and spiritual journey with eastern philosophy. And she began incorporating text through a stenciling technique that has a rough “street art” feel. — A raw, truthful, abstract representation of her emotional existence.



Downloadable images for publication (300 dpi cmyk) double-click on images




Ashleigh Sumner
Revolution
mixed media, resin finish on panel, 48" x 36"



Ashleigh Sumner
Torn Buddhas
mixed media, resin finish on panel, 48" x 36"



Ashleigh Sumner
Satori
mixed media, resin finish on panel, 48" x 36"



Ashleigh Sumner
Home
mixed media, resin finish on panel, 48" x 36"



Ashleigh Sumner
War & Peace
mixed media, resin finish on panel, 36" x 24"



Ashleigh Sumner
Paris, Day One
mixed media, resin finish on panel, 24" x 24"



Ashleigh Sumner
Revolution
mixed media, resin finish on panel, 48" x 36"



Ashleigh Sumner
The 4 As
mixed media, resin finish on panel, 59" x 36"

UPCOMING EXHIBITION AT ARTAMO GALLERY scroll down FOR GALLERY INFORMATION

MADELINE GARRETT — UNBOUND
March 1 – April 1 · 2012
 
Madeline Garrett's latest work embraces the theme of becoming “unbound” — unbound from time constraints and other barriers that limit creativity. Striving for certain ‘perfect imperfections’ in a freely flowing process, she uses oil, cold wax and powdered marble to create paintings with surfaces that are mature, complicated and subtle like old eroded walls, secrets inscribed underneath. 


GALLERY INFORMATION

ARTAMO GALLERY, over seven years in the same location, is a destination for contemporary art in Santa Barbara. Located only 100 yards from the Museum of Art the Gallery contributes to the revival of the historical downtown art district and helps building a gallery row on both sides of Anapamu Street.

ARTAMO GALLERY shows contemporary art by regional, national and international artists in solo and group exhibitions, including painting, sculpture, photography and mixed media. The gallery represents Teri Blodgett, Janet Bothne, Agustin Castillo, Keith Clark, Madeline Garrett, Gordon Huether, Françoise Issaly, Michael Kessler, Elana Kundell, Hyunmee Lee, Ana Marini, Rose Masterpol, Jack N. Mohr, Michael Moon, Julia Pinkham, Silvia Poloto, Jack Reilly, Suha Sin, and Ashleigh Sumner. Other artists are occasionally invited as guests to join special themed group shows and events.

ARTAMO GALLERY, a substantial part of the Santa Barbara art scene and art community, participates in local art events, especially the Santa Barbara First Thursday Art Nights

ARTAMO GALLERY is a member of the Santa Barbara Art Dealers Association (SBADA)