Pam Smyth watercolor
exhibit in January
During
the month of January Arizona wildflowers and Superstition scenes fill the
art gallery at Boyce Thompson Arboretum with the promise of Spring. Tempe
artist Pam Smyth has painted outdoors beneath the towering eucalyptus trees
at the Arboretum, and her paintings of desert landscapes and wildflower closeups
encourage the viewer to slow down and appreciate nature's treasures.
"My paintings are my response to nature, not an exact replication of
it. I try to portray the essence of what grabbed my attention. I appreciate
the beauty and variety in forms, movement, and how the light is cast. I put
on paper the effect nature has on me."
Smyth's work includes complex pieces formed of layer-upon-layer of pigment
and paper. Observe the layering of glazes in her watercolors and in the complexity
of her monotypes, its an approach that echoes the complexity of life and the
multiple imprints people and experiences leave on us.
"The beauty of working in printmaking is the ability to incorporate the
real objects of nature as in my 'Wildflower-and-Weeds' series. This series
began by my picking wildflowers and weeds on Parents' Weekend when we visited
our then-college daughter, at NAU. I embarrassed my family by carrying around
my found objects. These weeds sparked an entire series. What is a weed to
some, is the potential for art to me.
"I'm a Missouri transplant, but I've lived in Arizona since I was 10
years old. I grew up having adventures on my grandparents' Missouri farm,
and this is where my love for nature began. I missed the "green"
of Missouri but I grew to appreciate the beauty of the AZ desert.
"After earning a master's degree and teaching students with learning
disabilities for many years, I began to pursue the love of art I have always
had. I went back to school at Mesa Community College and have also taken classes
from several well-known local and national artists."
Smyth
has won numerous awards and has shown her work in prestigious venues around
the valley, including solo exhibition at Mesa Community College and Borders-at-the-Biltmore
in Phoenix. February 2005, she will have a one woman show at the Gilbert Public
Library. Her work is represented by Geraniums on 5th in Scottsdale and Black
Mountain Gallery in Carefree. To contact the artist about sales or commissions
please email pjsmyth@cox.net or visit
her website: http://pamsmythart.com
Our gallery here at the Arboretum is right inside the east entrance to the
visitor center, and admission is taken from 8-4 daily. Arboretum non-members
pay daily admission of $7.50 for adults and $3 for ages 5-12. Visitors are
invited to meet the artist at her reception Jan. 22 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The show will remain in the visitor center gallery until Monday, Jan. 31.
February's gallery show at BTA will be photography by Queen Creek resident
Kathy McClure. March will showcase photography instructor Edith Krueger Nye;
if you'd care to review our most recent exhibit of photography by Tina Faust
CLICK HERE
