The human form has captivated artists and viewers alike throughout history. Today this tradition is alive and well at Touchstone Gallery. In the process of fleshing out the human form, eight Touchstone member artists working in two dimensions plus one sculptor working in three dimensions present an exhibit in the Gallery during the month of March 2016.

Their figurative works include photography, sculpture, and paintings ranging from the abstracted to representational. The diversity of their approach, style, media, and choice of color palette provide an intriguing look at figures in the 21st century.

Opening Reception: Friday, March 4, 6 - 8:30 pm Artists Talk: Saturday, March 19, 2 – 4 pm

In this post, and in another during February, we will take a look at the artists participatingin FIGURE 8 PLUS 1:

April M. Rimpo – Exploring Culture through ColorPaula Lantz – The Human Condition through Abstracted Figures Shelley Lowenstein – A Painter of Stories Michael A. Lang – Street Photographer on the Museum Experience Timothy Johnson – A Contemporary Slant on Traditional Portraiture Dana Brotman – A Focus on the Gaze Steven M. Alderton – Impressionistic Paintings of Human Essence—Form and Spirit Gail Vogels – Magic Realism Narrative Janathel Shaw – Expressionist Sculpture

To enjoy the remaining artist's work in Figure 8 Plus 2 go to: https://touchstonegallery.wordpress.com/2016/02/25/figure-8-plus-1-part-2/

Even as a young girl April M Rimpo loved learning about other cultures and places. In college she studied ancient cultures and social anthropology, which focuses on modern cultures around the world.

Rimpo’s fascination with people continues today and is reflected in her figurative work. Her semi-abstract method of working results in portraits that are about a mood, an everyday activity, or a way of life, rather than detailed portraiture. She uses a variety of textural techniques in her paintings, but only uses a technique when she believes it enhances the story. In this exhibit you will meet people Rimpo saw when traveling within the United States and in Guatemala. In each case something grabbed her attention and made Rimpo feel she just had to tell the story. Can you find a story in her paintings?

For artist Paula Lantz painting is a passion. About her abstract figures she says, “I seek to reflect and respond to the nature and drama in our life experiences.” Paintings in this exhibit are part of a continuing body of figurative work. Lantz breathes life into her paintings through her color choices, collage, and paint texture. Large boldly painted figures tap into personal and intuitive elements important to her. Lantz says her themes are universal to us all and include passion, joy, and sorrow. Dramatic color and gestural paint application take center stage in her expressive figures.

"Each day, my eyes are drawn to the small vignettes of everyday life," says artist Shelley Lowenstein. "I like my paintings to prompt the viewer to make up their own story behind the image on the canvas because this establishes a conversation between the artwork and the viewer. It makes the art more interactive and personal."

Lowenstein captures these vignettes of life using dark shadows, strong colors, and paths of light that flow through the compositions. You can’t help but wonder when looking at her paintings whether the people know each other, love each other, respect each other, or like being solitary and alone. Are they bored, lonely, happy or sad...or none of the above? Come explore her work and decide for yourself what the answers might be.

French Gothic

Michael Lang is a street photographer who, in this exhibit, expresses the museum experience through photographs at the MOMA (Museum of Modern Art) in NY. One photograph contrasts order among the museum visitors as they view the art display on the upper level versus randomness on the lower level, lacking an art display to organize them.

The second photograph shows how combining many images of people visiting the same Pollock painting conveys the energy not only of the painting, but now the audience that it attracts.

Join the artists at the Opening Reception on March 4, 2016. If you would like additional one-on-one time with the artists, consider attending our Artists Talk event on March 19th between 2 and 4 pm. Format includes a short artist panel in which the artists can respond to your questions as a group, followed by time to interact individually with the artists. To learn more about the artists in FIGURE 8 PLUS 1 visit the Touchstone Gallery website at http://www.touchstonegallery.com/index/