Phenomenal patterns and colors of flowers, leaves, cacti, and other glorious forms of nature only begin to describe the new art show opening Saturday, August 12 thru September 4th at the Wildlife Experience in Parker, CO. Wonders of Nature: Up Close and Personal opening reception will be Thursday, August 31st from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. The public is invited to attend.

This is a student/teacher exhibit by accomplished local artist Jerry Van and his student, Carol Harby.

Wonders of Nature: Up Close and Personal

If first impressions are any indication of deeper, long-lasting appeal, the paintings of Jerry Van and Carol Harby are certain to continue attracting the best kinds of attention. In this art show, Wonders of Nature: Up Close and Personal, Van and Harby offer up an enticing array of both small and large format paintings of plants, animals and still life interpreted in two distinctly different ways. About half the paintings are tightly focused, intimate portrayals of the phenomenal patterns and colors of flowers, leaves, cacti, and other glorious forms of nature. Deeply moved b the variety and inherently astonishing beauty of their subjects, Van and Harby combine photographic accuracy with artistic manipulation to compose high-impact portraits of external beauty and underlying life force. The other half of their artistic output arises from the painter’s passionate interest in color and impressionist theory. These paintings break up the components of color, illumination and form into more spontaneous but no less organized works. They are able to convey both the artist’s emotional impressions and the impressions of light on their subjects.

Jerry Van and his student Carol in 2006

The Student:
Carol Harby was born in Mississippi, raised in north and southwest. Carol was a self-taught fine-line pen/ink/pencil artist until a disabling stroke 13 years ago left her partly paralyzed and unable to speak. Two years of intensive therapy enabled Carol to walk and speak again, with difficulty. Having to switch hands after the stroke left her right side immobile, Carol was frustrated at not being able to achieve the fine line detail in the smaller sketch works she had always preferred. She quit trying several times over the next 3-4 years before her determination to overcome her handicap led her to an art teacher who recommended she switch to oil on canvas. This was where she might still get the fine-line effects she wanted. Her first effort, a southwest landscape, was a great personal success. From there Carol’s talent blossomed. Continuing her art instruction after relocating to Parker two years ago, Carol paints a range of colorful still-life, western, mountain and coastal scenes, floral and wildlife. Her paintings reflect her sparkling personality and love of life. An extended group of family and friends, who understand what Carol has overcome to achieve all she has accomplished, treasure the gifts of her work that grace their homes throughout the US and Europe. In gratitude for the love and support of these many friends and family, Carol has done only private commissions until now. This is her first public showing.

The Teacher:
Jerry Van grew up in Lakewood, Colorado. His irrepressible urge to draw the things that interested him has steered him gradually toward the success he is just now beginning to enjoy. During his four years in the Air Force Van augmented his art exposure sought from books and museums with independent study in Asia and Europe.

After the Air force, Van began working in fine art foundries, first in Loveland then in Sante Fe. Building armatures for well known and highly successful sculptors only stoked Van’s desire to find his own creative voice. In 1999, a classically trained painter from Romania, Laila Ionesco was painting at the Domani Foundry and Studio in Sante Fe, where Van worked. She noticed Van’s rapt interest, let him watch her for about an hour, and then set up a still life for him to paint.

A combination of good guidance and Van’s prior drawing experience made him a natural. He has painted full-time for the past 7 years, selling steadily via referral from collectors and other informal channels.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR MORE INFORMATION:
April 18, 2006 Maryellen Russo (303) 324-2334