Blue Rain Gallery in Santa Fe, New Mexico, welcomes a refreshing show of approximately six new paintings by Andrea Peterson. The artist often incorporates triangular prisms, flowers and the female figure into her works, described by Blue Rain as “bold and imaginative, complete with layers of visual pattern and opulence.” In Peterson’s new, one-woman show Epoch Floral, many of these same elements will also be featured—with a little bit of a twist.
Sacred Heart, oil on canvas, 48 x 36"
Peterson shares that she’s taking a “vintage spin” on her figurative subject matter by using nostalgic imagery of celebrities like Marilyn Monroe, represented in show piece Sacred Heart. “Because these kinds of portraits have been done so many times, I wanted to show a fresh take,” Peterson says. “I want them to be glimpses of these characters in Old Hollywood and make them different than how we’re use to seeing them.”
In Sacred Heart, the artist points out that there are obvious references to “Our Lady of Guadalupe with the flaming heart and the ray of light crown around her head,” she notes, “but it’s more of a stylistic reference rather than a religious one.” Also found in Sacred Heart, is Petersons new-found, “looser” approach to painting. “The paint starts to become more impasto, with drips and then blurred abstraction on the bottom two inches of the piece,” she says. “I tend to be tighter and more detailed in my work, but this looseness added more breathe and life to these paintings.”
Elvis Blues, oil on canvas, 36 x 36"
While the figure, and usually the female figure, is a significant theme in Peterson’s work, a close second would be her use of florals. “Maybe it’s cliché, but they represent such a renewal and rebirth. There’s a lot of deeper human connection with florals being a part of the earth, our connection to nature and our temporary existence.”
Viewers will see other familiar faces in the series including Elvis Presley and Audrey Hepburn. “Instead of the same image of Audrey we’re all use to seeing in Breakfast at Tiffany's, I’ve chosen an image reference of her scene when she’s just waking up in bed with an eye mask on,” says Peterson.
In addition, Peterson notes that there will be some ambiguous figures with one in particular as a reference to old Western movies. “I’m also excited to incorporate the male figure into this series,” she says, “because along with the florals, it’s an interesting harmony or balancing of the masculine and feminine.”
Join Peterson for a celebratory artist reception and show opening on Friday, May 12, from 5 to 7 p.m. The show will close May 27. —
Blue Rain Gallery, 544 S. Guadalupe Street Santa Fe, NM 87501 • (505) 954-9902 www.blueraingallery.com
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