FRACTURED

The Butternut Gallery in Montrose, PA hosted a well-attended opening reception for an exhibit on a controversial subject; Hydraulic Fracturing in the Marcellus Shale and the influences the natural gas industry has inflicted on the rural, agricultural communities of northeastern Pennsylvania.

Michael Poster's photographs and Melissa Whalen Haertsch's intriguing essay shared the walls with my prints and assorted ephemera relating to the gas boom. The exhibit is the personal expressions of three people, two of whom have fled the region...of their own choice. Both Zoe Poster and Pete Comly have written work on display, also. It is a good setting to talk/think about your reactions, too.

The land and landscape are very important to me. It is crucial to my work and life. I could no longer find solace, inspiration or peace in my Pennsylvania home of 35 years. Maybe my new-found happiness in Vermont explains the jubilant expression on my face in this photograph of me. Or maybe it was the wine or the delightful photographer. You can see more of Richard Karp's photos and a summary of Melissa's essay at www.rikkisan.com

The exhibit is open through the end of the year thanks to Betty Bryden and Tom Canouse, owners of the Butternut Gallery and Second Story Books. 570-278-4011. There is a great deal of beauty and happiness and holiday cheer there. Be sure to stop in.

Phyllis' Garden

On July 10th my friend invited a few plein air painters to her new home. It is an airy Pennsylvania hill-top site wedged between two defunct dairy farms. Being a sucker for garden views, I chose this veggie garden as seen from one of several elevated porches and balconies. I was attracted to the linear elements and the protective presence of the large maple tree. In my crazy season of packing and moving I forgot to post this. Now it is a nice reminder of a midsummer's afternoon painting with friends....and another of the Transitions series.

The Pond on Rice Farm Road

It was an exquisite fall day in my neighborhood two weeks ago...and the days here have been mostly soggy for months. I spent the afternoon painting this Vermont scene amidst the birds (?) rustling in the cattails next to me and quite a few leaf peepers driving by on the dirt road.

That was two weeks ago and Black Mountain, where I live, has turned into winter rather suddenly. This is another of the Transitions series. 12 x 16 pastels.

My new studio is growing on me. And some days I can actually find what I am looking for. (Yes, I did put the pliers in that drawer, but why?) It is quiet and warm and bright and near home....and thanks to the local Tru-Value housewares guy, it smells good now. So, I am settling in for a long winter's work.

Later this month I am showing some of my new work at the Butternut Gallery and Second Story Books, in Montrose, PA as part of a show called FRACTURED; an exhibit of photographs, pastel paintings and writing that explores the social ramifications of gas drilling in Susquehanna County, curated by Michael Poster and Melissa Whalen Haertsch. FRACTURED will be on display from November 25 - with an opening from 6-8pm, Friday - through December 31, closing at 3pm. Zoe Poster and Pete Comly, among others, will have work in the show, too.