Fourteen Island painters interpret northern Italy

By Victoria Gail-White
Advertiser Art Critic

•	'La Bella Figura: A Painters' Workshop in Italy' 10 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday Through December 28; closed on Christmas Academy Art Center at Linekona

The differences are palpable in the La Bella Figura exhibit of 46 matted watercolor and mixed-media paintings in the Academy Art Center at Linekona.

Fourteen participants plus Woollard and Davis painted by day and night. Their subjects may have been the same or similar, but their interpretations weren't.

Plein-air (painting outdoors as a direct response to the scene or subject) has a romantic quality about it — until you attempt to juggle the weather, your supplies, the bugs and the constant changes of light while at the same time painting — but it is also a great lesson for abbreviating options and making quick artistic decisions.

The exhibit has a narrative quality about it, taking us through the churches, street scenes and Italy's countryside as experienced by the participants.

These standard-sized picture journals elucidate the differences in the participants' abilities, techniques and views. Woollard's "Shades of an Olive Tree," Phyllis Brasser's "Olive Tree" and Gerry Jobes' "Olive Grove" are a perfect example.

"Night at the Villa" one of the group's paint-by-night works by (Advertiser fashion writer) Paula Rath, is an impressionistic twilight. The blue tones and abstract elements give us a good indication of the evening's magical qualities.

The city of Perugia inspired such diverse paintings as Tom Marshall's "Waiting in Perugia," Dick Adair's "Perugia Street Scene," Lori Mitrulevich's "Perugia" and Al Rowland's "Perugia Alley."

Some paintings weren't as literal. Jerry Mayfield saw and executed a lovely abstract composition in "Latch." Gallyn's abstract "Striding Forward" is as energetic as its title, while Debbie Young's "Umbria" seems to still be basking in that golden sun.

Light Ruth's style of masking and painting Etruscan figures, horses and warriors is unusual in this grouping of plein-air paintings, but it adds commanding presence and a sense of history.

Woollard (who teaches at the Academy Art Center) and Davis annually schedule the Italy painting workshops.