There were several recent gallery openings in the neighborhood that I have not had an opportunity to post about until now, though there is still time for you to stop by and take a look. Lindsay Pichaske's eye-catching work remains on view at Duane Reed Gallery through June 21. Her sculpture, "The Hare,"above, is wrapped with painted string.
Pichaske is a 2010 graduate of the University of Colorado and now resides in Washington, D. C. When I spoke to her at the opening she said she always thought she would major in Zoology. When she switched majors, she found a way to incorporate her interest in anatomy into her artistic endeavors.
Her sculpture "Ghost of Snow" stands 19" tall and is created from low-fire ceramic, monofilament, milk paint & resin.
Among the materials Pichaske used to create "The One That Got Away," above, are beautiful molted chicken feathers (see close-up below).
Eva Isaksen, above, is also exhibiting her recent work at Duane Reed Gallery. The artist was born in Bodo, Norway and now resides in Seattle. Isaksen is shown with artist Barry Liebman, a founder of Left Bank Books.
Isaksen cuts thin imported papers she draws on or prints on using yarns, fabric, seeds, pressed plants and other organic matter. She then layers the paper on the canvas. The artist's work will be on view until June 21.
Duane Reed Gallery, 4729 McPherson, (314) 361-4100.
John Schwartzkopf, above, whose exhibition "Wooden Graces" is on view at Atrium Gallery until July 12, never imagined he would be creating art when he started making things out of scraps of wood as a child growing up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. His art is designed, as he says, "on the fly." Schwartzkopf doesn't have a preconceived notion of what he will create until he starts working with the materials he finds.
A view of Atrium Gallery during the May 16 opening.
Janet Sorokin, a mixed media artist, has been represented by Carolyn Miles and Atrium Gallery since the 80's. Sorokin uses acrylic paint on paper to which she adds straw, sand, and sawdust to create texture for her collages. Her exhibition, "Musicale," will remain on view in the gallery through July 12.
Atrium Gallery, 4814 Washington (314) 367-1076.
The Houska Gallery is featuring acrylic and ink paintings by self-taught artist Renee Raub-Ayers who lives in central Illinois. When I asked Charlie how long the paintings would be on display, he said he wasn't certain. The gallery at 4728 McPherson serves mainly as Houska's own art studio and secondarily as a gallery space for other artists.
For more information contact Charlie Houska: (314) 496-1377.