Baby, It’s Cold Outside

By admin on December 8, 2016

As we reach the last month of the year, Boston’s famous cold weather has arrived. Instead of complaining about the chill, we’re embracing it by admiring three snowy scenes now on view at Co|So or at the Boston Private Bank branch in the Prudential Center.

Joe Smith, Birch by Wall, scratchboard, 11 x 9

Joe Smith depicts a quiet winter moment in his scratchboard, part of our annual Holiday Small Works 2016 exhibition, on view in the gallery until December 24th. While the snow covers the rock wall, the sun shines warm and bright on the lone tree. Smith was able to achieve the fine, delicate lines with scratchboard, a form of engraving where ink is scratched off a surface to reveal a lightly colored layer beneath. Dark shadows are created by leaving areas unscratched or only using a few lines, while white snow is revealed with deep, thick scratches. The only part of the work not marked by lines is the center of the sun, its brightness emphasized by the bare white surface. 

 

Robin Samiljan, Snow Reflections, encaustic, 10 x 10

A lone figure stands beneath the moonlight in Snow Reflections, an encaustic painting in Robin Samiljan’s solo show Miniature Moments, on view in the Red Room until December 24th. The white glare of the full moon contrasts with the dark shadow of the human figure. Painted completely in black, it is impossible to tell the gender of the figure, or what object it holds in its hands. While the title of the piece could imply that the isolated figure is out in the cold reflecting on his/her life, it could also simply be referring to the reflection of the moonlight in the snow.

Like the rest of the paintings in Miniature Moments, Snow Reflections is an outdoors scene. Samiljan noted that she is inspired by the outdoors: “The essence of what inspires me to paint is generated by the colors in the seasonal landscape. Nature’s palette offers a range of wild intensity to subdued tranquility. I listen to and notice the environment and my immediate surroundings, finding inspiration in every day life.“

 

Marieluise Hutchinson, All is Calm, oil, 20 x 16

A fresh blanket of snow lays on the ground in All is Calm, part of Marieluise Hutchinson’s exhibition Celebrating the Season. A full moon peeks through the clouds, illuminating the silent scene. Only a lone window in the house suggests a sign of human life. Although it is easy to grow annoyed at snow when you have to shovel your driveway, Hutchinson captures the magic of waking up to find the earth painted white. 

Celebrating the Season is on view at the Boston Private Bank branch in the Prudential Center until January 15th. There will be a reception for the exhibition on Monday, December 12th from 5:30-7:30pm. For more information and to RSVP please click here. We hope to see you there!

 

By Erica Evans

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