Nautical Group Show
featuring
Jason Abbott, Margaret Benton Jones, Al Latorre, Morgan McKinney, Norris Padgett III, Jeff Satterthwaite, and James Timberlake
Friday, August 5
6:00pm-8:00pm
Sponsored by Lori & Mike Dershowitz
During the month of August, Arts on Main will host a nautical themed group show featuring local and regional artists: Jason Abbott, Margaret Benton Jones, Al Latorre, Morgan McKinney, Norris Padgett III, Jeff Satterthwaite, and James Timberlake. The opening of the show will take place on First Friday, August 5 from 6pm-8pm. This is a free event and open to the public. The show will be on display from August 5- August 27.
“My inspiration comes from the natural beauty around me. Living in the tidewater region of Virginia, I have the luxury of experiencing the constantly changing light and water conditions. My paintings range from realism to impressionism depending on the subject and technique.”
Margaret Benton Jones is a Yorktown artist who grew up in the Tidewater area. She knew painting was what she wanted to do and even built an art studio before ever picking up a paint brush after retiring as an Operating Room Nurse. Her primary medium is acrylic where she enjoys all subjects from sailboats to sunflowers. She has a unique way of expressing her passion for life on canvas using bright colors and bold brush strokes.
“I paint in oils on canvas, my art represents my past, present, and merely subjects that I am drawn to such as, landscapes, seascapes of Virginia and other places I have resided or visited.
Although by trade, I was a Graphic Designer and had formal training in Visual Communications from Northeastern University, I am primarily self-taught in oil painting, I feel I have been blessed with an eye to paint pleasing, peaceful scenes we can all relate to. I have been painting for over 40 years primarily in oils and watercolors.”
Morgan McKinney is a painter of Contemporary Impressionism living in Richmond, Virginia. His distinctive style is influenced by a career as a graphic artist, a years long search for bright, vivid, saturated color, and a love/hate relationship with OCD. Painting full time since 2003, his quest for these vibrant colors led to the evolution of a unique approach. It involves painting individual segments with solid colors which have been premixed on the pallet, not blended and muddied on the canvas. Although slow and tedious, the distinct separation and purity of all colors and gradations, along with the impactful use of contrast and light, result in an almost mosaic, crystalline composition. His oil paintings, inspired by the love of sailing and architecture, are praised for evoking feelings of calmness and tranquility. “I want viewers to step into my paintings for a brief moment, pause, and experience light, color, and serenity the way I see it,” says McKinney. “No deep contemplation required.”
Norris Padgett III is a well-known Southern artist working in many media: watercolor, acrylic, pastels, oils and wood. His work is represented in many private collections and galleries in the southeast. Norris grew up loving everything nautical and it remains a stronger passion today to paint a bygone time expressed through rich color and limitless imagination.
“I am a Creative Retoucher who has over thirty years of industry experience working with distinguished Art Directors, Designers, & Photographers around the globe. I currently call Richmond, Virginia my home. I have lived and worked in the Metropolitan cities of Ft. Lauderdale, New Orleans, St. Louis, Charlotte, Toronto and New York. I have been fortunate to learn and work alongside some of the most talented, and acknowledged Creatives in our industry, and our combined talents have allowed me to create contemporary art and advertising that move markets. Our combined artistry consistently serves as visual waypoints to increase monetary reward in our changing economy. My personal successes have been featured in PDN, Archive, Graphics and Photoshop Creative UK.”
James Timberlake
“The finest compliment I could receive is for a group of people to see a painting of mine and each person has a completely different interpretation, with no two people seeing the same thing. That is what I set out to achieve through my work. After taking a break for several years, it is good to creating again. Making abstract paintings is an emotional experience for me. Each piece comes from my heart and imagination- getting to share that with others brings me great satisfaction.
I started painting later in life while in my mid-fifties, inspired by my surroundings in an art community in Richmond, VA and by many artists that I worked around daily. A special thanks to Matt Lively, who just by being a neighbor and friend, helped guide me through the basics. Matt gave me the opportunity to help him in his studio, which is where I received the very best education.
I love using oil on wood panels and canvas to create abstract artwork. I especially love the many layers of colors in each painting. I take the time to allow each layer to dry and then repeat the process. Sometimes, the process takes much patience and time, at other times the painting is produced more quickly. The key is to know when to stop. Once a painting has a depressed or aged appearance, I feel the ultimate pleasure and know that the piece is finished.”
Live music will be provided by Jerry Sowers.
Jerry Sowers is an acoustic singer-songwriter from Newport News, VA. Singing and playing music from the age of 14, he continues to sing traditional as well as original folk music. Audiences enjoy not only his music, but his ability in keeping them both engaged and entertained with song subjects that range from humorous to serious social concerns.
Throughout his career, Jerry has performed in coffee house venues as well as larger auditoriums in several states up and down the East Coast, Ohio and in Michigan. His first CD, ‘Simple and Free’, was recorded and published in 2009 with a balanced mix of original songs and covers.
Jerry’s full-time occupation is teaching music in the Hampton City Schools system, where he has worked with children of all ages to inspire music and creativity in our youth. He also leads the music program in a local Methodist Church in Hampton, VA. Jerry’s two sons and three grandchildren are the pride and joy in his life.
First Friday will take place on Friday, August 5 from 6:00pm-8:00pm. This event is free and open to the public. Beer and wine will be available for purchase.
Thank you to our First Friday sponsor, Lori & Mike Dershowitz!
Activities at Arts on Main are partially funded by the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.
