‘In With the New’ at Gallery North in Edmonds
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Last updated 12/28/2016 at Noon
St. Collette, Laura Ackerman
Gallery North’s first show of 2017, “In With the New,” is an exhibit highlighting the work of artists who were juried in as new members of the gallery during 2016.
The show features painters Laura Ackerman and Lena Leitzke. Both are accomplished artists who are new to the gallery this year, but are not new to art.
Ackerman started as a cartoonist and moved into careers in textile design, graphic and web development, illustration and instruction in digital imaging for clients worldwide.
Her work is a unique combination of design inspired by nature with a strong emphasis on cultural patterns. Bright and colorful, her current work at Gallery North features women with a sense of spirituality, as well as interpretations of nature and metamorphosis.
“Viewing the natural world provides me with countless sources of ideas,” Ackerman said. “My interpretations are based on a love of design and abstraction. I always hope I capture the essential spirit of the thing and try to deliver an interesting take on what we think we know.”
Leitzke has been painting since she was a young child. As a self-taught artist discovering art’s secrets on her own, her journey has been a little harder, but she said she has found the learning process to be exciting. She works in oils, acrylics, and oil pastels, painting everything from miniature to large-scale works.
Leitzke has exhibited her artwork in many juried shows, receiving a number of awards. Her work is in collections in London, Paris, and throughout the United States.
“Everyday experiences make an impression on me and inspire me to paint,” Leitzke said.
“When I watch a dance performance, go hiking, or watch my family’s travel videos, I immediately want to express the feelings these experiences awaken in me. I enjoy when people respond to my artwork; it energizes me to keep going and to paint more.”
A reception is 1-4 p.m. Jan. 15 at Gallery North, 401 Main St., Edmonds. The artists will also be present 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19, during Art Walk Edmonds.
The exhibit runs through Jan. 31.
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