Beautiful Dreamers: Paintings by Sonja Sweterlitsch

Sonja Sweterlitsch Heather

 As a painter myself, I am specifically interested in what other brush plyers are doing pursuing in their work. There's always something that you can learn from another painter, from color to handling the media. I definitely took a lot away from Ms. Sweterlitsch's work.

Sonja Sweterlitsch

In Beautiful Dreamers, Sonja Sweterlitsch presents an extensive series of contemporary portraits. The works are finely painted, with subtle color grades and painterly texture. The models are classically poised, but wear contemporary clothing ranging from formal to casual. With the backgrounds left relatively simple, the figure stands out. But the grounds are not without nuance and in some cases feature a metallic pigment or an ornamental pattern.

As an exhibit, the show is remarkable in its serenity, and in the beauty of the portrayed women. Without exception, the women are slim, beautiful and young. I suppose that is why the portraits seem so idealized, painted as they are with a sense of reverence. Each portrait is accompanied by a short story, outlining the artist's relationship with the model.

The exhibit is in place for a couple more weeks. In these early days of the year, with all the grey weather that we are having, this would be a great destination for a visit.  


Beautiful Dreamers: Paintings by Sonja Sweterlitsch
Show dates: December 7, 2012 - January 12, 2013
FeGALLERY
4012 Butler Street, Pittsburgh PA 15201
412-254-4038
Thu - Fri: 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Sat: 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Sun: 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
www.fegallery.org

Seeking Higher Ground: Works by Steve Ehret

 

 Unblurred always has some great shows, and ModernFormations Gallery consistently brings the best out in the artists that exhibit there. In Seeking Higher Ground, Steve Ehret's paintings and mixed media work is a high point for September's offerings along the Penn Ave arts corridor. 

As a whole, the show is sensual, with the works presented in gilded frames along the dusty, deep purple walls of the back gallery. Mr. Ehret's monochromatic works would, at first glance, seem to lean towards the austere. But on closer examination, there is a sense of whimsy in the subjects. 

 His self-imposed limitations on his palette place the emphasis on the details and characters in these small works. Close examination of the paintings reveals tiny figures and delicate convolutions in the landscapes. The mixed medium show a sense of exploration, with a loose gestural quality. Strictly from the cheap seats, and since I am a big fan of webgames, I got a sense of that aesthetic from these works. There is something in the works that heralds pop culture. That is more than likely something that I am bringing to the work, I am guilty of being purely subjective in my enjoyment of art. 

The exhibit is in place through September 28. 

Seeking Higher Ground: Works by Steve Ehret 

Through September 28, 2012 

ModernFormations 

4919 Penn Avenue. 

412.362.0274 

Gallery Hours 

*Thursdays 7pm - 9pm 

*Saturdays 1pm - 4pm 

*Private appointments are available by request