American_Art_Collector_-_December_2016

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V

ariety is key during Lotton Gallery’s

annual holiday small works exhibition,

as gallery artists present subjects that

include wildlife, landscapes and figures

in several different mediums. Gallery

director Christina Franzoso adds, “Small

works of art are little treasures during the

holidays. Giving as a gift, even to yourself,

is something to cherish for a lifetime.”

Impressionist Vakhtang will display

several landscapes in the show, such as

Harmony and Early Morning. Both works

showcase vibrant green colors and are

bursting with life as flowers blossom from

tree limbs and wind or fog sweeps across

the land.

“When I was studying fine art in the

Tbilisi Academy, one summer we went

to paint landscapes in St. Petersburg,

Russia. We came to the border of Russia

and Finland and I saw landscapes very

different from what I was accustomed in

my own country,” Vakhtang says. “They

were not as rich as southern landscapes

and very different in mood. One view in

particular had my attention. The narrow

lake was going into the horizon and it was

impossible to see where it ends. Only a few

trees were in view, with their reflections

in the water. I suddenly felt a feeling of

endless nature, endless world and I realized

that beauty is not only in richness or variety

of subjects or even how they are painted,

I realized that the most important task

of art is emotion that art produces in

the hearts of the viewers. This is why

I decided to paint Harmony. I wanted you,

the viewers, to feel the same feeling I had

when I first saw it.”

Animal works are also prominent in the

show, such as Frank Gonzales’ Burrowing

Owl and dog-themed works by Regina

Lyubovnaya.

Among Lyubovnaya’s pieces is Double

Trouble, depicting two puppies on a red

pillow. “The story behind Double Trouble

is one day I came across a photograph of a

gray puppy, he looked like he really needed

a friend, so I paired him up with the long-

hair Chihuahua,” she says, “and there were

now two of them laying in a pillow looking

like they just got in trouble but neither one

was to take blame.”

Mary Alayne Thomas combines

Cherished treasures

UPCOMING SHOW PREVIEW / CHICAGO, IL

December 1-30, 2016

Lotton Gallery

900 N. Michigan Avenue, Level 6 | Chicago, IL 60611

(312) 664-6203 | http://www.lottongallery.com

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