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Carlton Gallery’s 35th Spring Group Exhibition with Flowers, Still Lifes and Interiors in Full Swing

Carlton Gallery’s 35th Spring Group Exhibition with Florals, Still Lifes and Interiors is in full swing with a painting demonstration by Mary Dobbin and meet the artist, Tonya Bottomley. These events celebrate the Tour de Art which begins its 9 season on June 24, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Dobbin’s demonstration is from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., while Bottomley will greet gallery patrons and visitors from 2 to 4 p.m.

The Tour de Art is a coalition of galleries and artists’ private studios open on the fourth Saturday of each month – June through November. The purpose of the Tour de Art is to support the talented artisans living and working in the area whose art covers many media. Tour maps are available at Carlton Gallery, participating venues and look for the bright yellow Tour de Art signs.

Mary Dobbin – Melon Rouge. Oil on Canvas.

Mary Dobbin creates art in a variety of mediums. She renders still lifes with oils and mixed media combining many techniques. Dobbin’s still life paintings of fruits, flowers and object d’art are in bright, bold colors. Her paintings project energy and movement through lively lines and intense colors.

Mary Dobbin

Dobbin plans a demonstration of a still life water color using preliminary drawings. Two or three quick thumbnail sketches of the subject for the best composition are made; a rough value sketch to study the composition is made; then a loose, light pencil drawing on water color paper is the guide for the water color painting. Dobbin also plans to teach this process in her upcoming workshop, June 27, 28 and 29 at Carlton Gallery which has available space for participants.

The abstract art of Tonya Bottomley reflects her reverence for the natural world. Her paintings are dominated by organic, curvilinear shapes and rhythms. They represent the tangible world interpreted by her subconscious. Bottomley relies on paint handling and gesture rather than subject matter, while her knowledge of color and painting experience creates harmony as a great symphony.

Tonya Bottomley

Bottomley says. “During the process of painting, I am looking for a balance between the spontaneous and the intentional, between the abstract and the representational. I want the viewer to find beauty and emotional ease”.

Tonya Bottomley – Garden Variety. Acrylic.

The 35th Spring Group Exhibition displays paintings by Dottie Leatherwood and Debbie Arnold.

Plein air painter, Leatherwood, captures in oils on canvas the emotion and complexity of a scene rather than communicating details. She paints in nature which allows a focus to get the subtleties and nuances of each scene, along with the understanding of the scene. Communicating with nature requires one to be in nature – to stand out in the elements and attempt to capture the beauty in real time. Leatherwood says, “It is fascinating to watch the ebb and flow of each season’s infinite cycles”.

Dottie Leatherwood – Creeksong. Oil.

Debbie Arnold’s intuitive approach to painting is guided by emotions and artistic vision. Her paintings flow with energy and contain colors, textures and repetitions. The art work of Arnold also expresses her meditative and mind soothing techniques. While each brush stroke begins as an individual part, they intertwine and blend together perfectly to make a colorful pattern. Her series of paintings called “God’s Choir” renders the canvas with bright colors painted closely together with little or no space between them. The paintings are a kaleidoscope of colors and shapes with the purpose that regardless of diversity, a togetherness can present a beautiful connectedness and composition.

Debbie Arnold – God’s Choir.

Visit Carlton Gallery on Saturday, June 24, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to view the painting demonstration by Mary Dobbin from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and meet artist Tonya Bottomley who plans to discuss her abstract art from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Florals, Still Lifes and Interiors Exhibition by Mary Dobbin, Connie Winters, Gina Strumpf and Helen Farson can be viewed through July 15.

The gallery is located 10 miles south of Boone; 7 miles from Blowing Rock and 7 to 8 miles from Linville and Banner Elk on N.C. 105 south in the Grandfather Mountain Community near Seven Devils. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. For additional information on artists, exhibitions or workshops, call (828) 963-4288 or visit wwwcarltongallery.com.