Bella Vista - Contemporary Fine Art Gallery

Welcome to Bella Vista’s December 2009 Newsletter

Bright colored lights, shiny objects hanging from trees and houses.....................how dull and mundane would winter be without Christmas holiday decorations. Seriously, the cold weather makes me want to stay indoors, especially in the kitchen and get warm by the oven and bake holiday treats for family and friends. Last year Glenn asked me to bake a double batch of real chocolate brownies. One batch for us (piggies) and another to share with friends. What I thought surely would have turned out to be a disaster (by first putting in 8 cups of chocolate chips in the bowl only to re-read the recipe and realizing it should have been 8 ounces, oops!).............however, it turned out to be the best batch of brownies ever. My favorite chocoholic friend, who will remain nameless, asked me for the recipe; which I could only laugh and told him I had no idea how to recreate the brownies, because I screwed up the recipe so many times and on top of my screwups I couldn't remember my remedies. Regardless, of all my mis-haps the brownies were devoured by all.

Since lucious and decadence is on my mind.......................check out August Hoerr's two newest oil paintings. His paintings are incredibly thick and rich like frosting on a cake. Most of his paintings takes several months to complete. Although, his paintings are framed when dry to the touch, for sure they will take years to completely dry. It is remarkable that August can caption an emotion in each of his paintings, because up close his paintings are a chaotic mess of oil. However, it is when you step away from the painting, the image comes into focus. Speaking of texture build up, encaustic is one of the oldest forms of painting that has recently been revived by a lot of artists; however, there are few artists whose techniques are as impressive as Kathleen Burke's encaustic paintings. I love how she builds up texture in certain areas of her paintings and the in other areas she burnishes them, so the surface is as soft as silk.

During this time of year I enjoy walking or driving around Biltmore Village especially in the evening hours. Most of the cottages are "dressed up" with lots of white lights.....................it really puts one in a festive mood. Oh, don't forget the first weekend in December is Dickens Fest. Hope you come out and enjoy some merriment! Other fun things to do, Appalachian Vitner is celebrating their one year anniversary. They are having a Free Tasting of 60 Wine and Beer Sampling on December 11th. at 6:30 p.m. Also, the Gallery donated a hand-painted platter for their silent auction benefiting Care Partners Hospice. It should be fun................................hope to see you there!

Well, 2009 is almost over. I really want to thank everyone who has supported the Gallery and our Artists. I can't imagine a life without Art.

…Christin

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