“Out my Window” — Essex Art Association’s Summer 2019 Open Exhibition

The upcoming show at the Essex Art Association is an Open Exhibition and welcomes all area artists to submit up to two pieces of artwork for display. This type of show offers the public a viewing experience with a wide spectrum of subjects, styles and mediums. The show is juried for awards only, with the EAA distributing $1500 in eight categories. In addition, one artist will be awarded a solo exhibit in the EAA Gantner Gallery during the 2020 gallery season.

The exhibit’s opening reception is Friday, June 28, 2019, from 6-8 pm. The show runs June 29 -July 20. The EAA Gallery is located at 10 North Main Street, Essex, CT. Gallery hours during exhibits are 1-5 pm daily, closed Tuesdays. For more information visit essexartassociation.com or call 860-767-8996.

Exhibition chair, Rose Marie Cushing, describes the exhibit theme “Out my Window” with these words: Sight, perception – and artists reflection and imagination.

The EAA Gantner Gallery exhibit “Far Off Places” will feature the artwork of Matt Ruocco. Matt is currently creating most of his work digitally through a process called digital painting. This process involves using software and a drawing tablet connected to a computer. All of the paintings are made by hand with the drawing tablet translating the physical movements of drawing and painting into something the computer understands. He continues to work traditionally as well with a focus on oil painting. Everything began there, and over time the transition to the digital world was made. This was not an easy journey as there was a lot to overcome and many challenges to face. It was like starting over entirely for him, but all of it was worth the effort. He looks forward to continuing this process and learning more. The paintings he has been working on recently reflect places both real and imaginary. They attempt to create a feeling of memory, emotion, familiarity, and at times otherworldliness.

To view his work including some of the paintings from “Far Off Places” please visit www.mattruoccoillustrator.com

Exhibition juror, Fethi Meghelli describes his work like this: Immigration scenes. Musicians. A glass of mint tea. Women with long dresses. Bare feet. An airplane in flames. The taste of ashes. Boats in the ocean. Earth and sky. Clouds and mountains. Flowering trees. Solitude. Young brides. A burning heart. Houses. The remains of ancient civilizations. Space and time. A crowd of characters. Political and social contradictions. Tragedies and hopes. Dreams and realities. Emotions, intuitions and perceptions.

These are the elements that inspire, shape and guide my artistic work.