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Date: 1/11/2023
LONGMEADOW – Wilbraham Art League members Kristine Crimmins, Ann Bagge and Glen Rossi have teamed up for an art show. Their paintings will be on exhibit at the Longmeadow Adult Center on 211 Maple Rd. through the month of January.
Crimmins said, “The mediums that distinguishes the three of us is Ann works in oil, I work in acrylic and Glen works in marker, but on the other hand we all do a little bit of the same thing. We have about 30 paintings displaying those three mediums.”
She went on to say, “The goal for this show is exposure. I think the more an artist exhibits helps get their name and their work out into the community.”
A reception took place on Jan. 5. All three artists received positive comments and questions about their work. They were complimented on certain aspects of paintings that viewers enjoyed and admired.
Bagge added, “Our works are so unique and different from each other, and hope that the public will take the time to come to enjoy and observe our various styles.”
As a realist painter, Bagge enjoys painting various subject matter such as landscape, still life and portraits of familiar faces recognized by others. After all these years of hard work and concentration, it gives her great pleasure when someone can look at a portrait and immediately identify who that person is.
Bagge got inspired watching Bill Alexander paint various subjects in one half hour and started taking classes from local artists namely, Jeanne Reich, Barbara Cohen, Linda Percoski, as well as workshops with Tony Van Hasselt, Paul George, Tom Lynch, Sue Pecora, Paul Leveille, Helen Van Wyk and others. Currently she is studying under Debra Dunphy, whom she has taken lessons from for many years.
“I have used watercolor, pastel, pen and ink, charcoal, but oil is my passion,” Bagge said. “Painting is a hobby that relaxes me and sometimes I am so zoned out, that I don’t even realize someone is talking to me. After many years, I have learned to slow down, enjoy the process, and watch a painting come together to the best of my ability.”
Rossi works in watercolor, felt markers, oil, acrylics, pen and wash and wood carvings. He has had workshops with Susan Tilton Pecora. Mel Stabin, Charles Reid, Tony Van Hasselt and Clarke Voorhees. Over the years Rossi has used different markers, but the ones he uses now are Arteza. He likes the different vibrant colors they have.
“I like to put colors behind my one-line drawings,” Rossi said. “The beauty of a one line drawing ... moving swiftly across the page panel or canvas with bright colorful lines ... catching the excitement of the moment.”
He continued, “It’s important to let people know all the different colorful artists that are in this area. The techniques of all these different artists can show you ways to improve your art.”
Crimmins has experience in pastel, oil, watercolor and acrylic painting as well as cut paper, textiles and photography. She also works in plein air, painting outdoors with her subject in full view. “What drew me to plein air painting is the chance to be outdoors and enjoy nature,” Crimmins explained. “I get to hike or walk the beach or sit by a crashing ocean wave. And you can meet some very like minded, interesting people.”
Crimmins usually sits and observes her surroundings noting the atmosphere, weather, time of day and light. When she’s back in her studio, Crimmins reviews her references choosing what will and will not go into the painting. She then sketches onto her canvas after preparing it. Having taking notes on the color scheme, she preps her paints and get to work. Her paintings for this exhibit are mostly acrylics of the coastline of Stonington, CT, and Watch Hill, RI, where she has been concentrating her most recent works.
“Exhibiting art in Western Massachusetts is important because it’s a central location in New England where you can turn in any direction going north, south, east or west and find enjoyment, recreation, nature and beautiful landscapes that not only you as an artist enjoy but your neighbors love and know well,” Crimmins said.
She continued, “Collectors love to have some memory of where they’ve been and painting those places provides that and many times provides solace for perhaps a tough time they may be going through.”
Exhibit hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.