There will be quite the showcase of love in Lisa Gleim’s new body of work, to be displayed at Cheryl Newby Gallery from March 3 through April 4. Gleim is the fourth generation of her family to enjoy summers on the coastal region of Pawleys Island, South Carolina, where the gallery is also located. “It’s one of those places that has a deep-rooted place in my heart,” Gleim says. “This body of work contains the places and inhabitants of the island, and I combine my loves of nature, wildlife and water [into this new collection].”Flight, pastel on board, 24 x 36"

In Gleim’s past work, she’s mainly displayed landscape works depicting coastal life in the southern and northern United States, along with still life scenes. Her new series of work will incorporate more wildlife, as seen in abundance on Pawleys Island, her direct inspiration. “This show encompasses more of the local inhabitants of the environment, not just the environment itself,” says Gleim. “Instead of just a pretty marsh scene, I’ve added what lives there. You get a sense of the ecosystem.”

“At first, I was most interested in her Southern Lowcountry landscapes and seascapes,” says gallery owner Cheryl Newby. “I happily discovered her talent far exceeded my original expectations. Collectors marvel at her ability to render beautiful still life paintings, as well as animals and birds with amazing authenticity.”Dawn’s Early Light, pastel on board, 12 x 30"

Birds are a center piece for the series, especially the water birds as seen in Flight, a detailed depiction of a giant blue heron soaring against a blue sky. “They are quite dominant on the coast and really anywhere there’s water,” Gleim explains. “Their color blends in with the marsh salt grass but suddenly, there will be movement and they all come out at once. They’re pretty gangly but they’re graceful in flight.”

Newby also reflects on Gleim’s ability to “replicate changing light, atmosphere and nocturnal experiences.” This is true of Dawn’s Early Light, depicting another favorite subject matter of Gleim’s: water.
“I love that she has such a voracious appetite for painting challenging subjects,” Newby says. “She really gets into her work and then her talent explodes!”Low Tide, pastel on board, 28 x 35"

In Low Tide, Gleim combines water, birds and famous Pawleys Island imagery. “This is an image of Pawleys creek, taken from the bridge that brings you onto the island,” Gleim says. “It’s an iconic scene that’s seared into my memory. [Also], anyone that has a love for coastal life knows from this painting that it’s time to go crabbing.” The painting shows small, white egret birds, a gazebo and the creek at low tide, the perfect time to start crabbing. Gleim also implores viewers to take note of the thunder clouds. “It’s quintessential summer on Pawleys Island or really any coastal area to see clouds like this in the afternoon,” she says.

Gleim achieves her enamoring scenes with pastels, which she considers both a drawing and painting medium. She finds that pastels also encompass her love for color. “I love to play with different colors and see what combinations vibrate along with my technique” Gleim says. We’re All in This Together, pastel on board, 20 x 16"

In her show of 12 new pieces at Cheryl Newby Gallery, Gleim hopes that viewers not only experience a piece of Pawleys Island, but take away a small education on the creatures among the beautiful beaches and marshes. There’s a deeper narrative, or rather, an ecosystem that she hopes doesn’t go unnoticed. —

Cheryl Newby Gallery  
11096 Ocean Highway #4 • Pawleys Island, SC 29585
(843) 979-0149 • www.cherylnewbygallery.com 

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