For the entire month of November, Seattle gallery Alki Arts is hosting a group show titled Elevated Moods, featuring artwork by Pacific Northwest artists Christopher Mathie, Chris Holt and Scott Gellatly.
Having lived in Port Orchard, Washington, for over 20 years, seascapes, shorebirds, sea life and sailboats figure prominently in Mathie’s paintings. All of this subject matter appears in Breaking Through III, a painting that also speaks to the theme of the show. “The dark blue palette has a certain mood,” he says. “It suggests perhaps evening as the time of day. The rushing water suggests an elevated mood, perhaps excitement, or a feeling of power—the power of the water, the boat and the person captaining the craft.” A seasoned boatman, Mathie says, “Sailing is often a high-energy experience, which is perfect for me to interpret in paint.”
Christopher Mathie, Breaking Through III, acrylic, 50 x 40 in.
Seattle-based artist Chris Holt created his new body of work with the theme of “elevated moods” in mind. “I’ve always thought of how ferries connect us to a sense of place in the Pacific Northwest. Where the sea meets the sky,” Holt explains. “We see them coming and going quite often here. Either consciously or unconsciously, literally or figuratively, they connect us.”
Christopher Mathie, Pacific Nocturne, acrylic, 50 x 40 in.
Sound of Silence is part of Holt’s ongoing series of Washington State ferry paintings, works he says “explore the quiet, cinematic moments in everyday life that connect us to place, to each other and to a deeper sense of home.” His clouds represents the “elevated” while the ferries are both a literal means of transport and a metaphorical vehicle for conveying emotions and feelings, or moods. “As the ferry approaches the dock, there is a brief pause as the pilot transitions from the stern engine to the bow engine,” he explains. “Everything seems to go quiet. In that moment of stillness, there is a sense of anticipation, arrival and return—the feeling of being between where you have been and where you are going. It’s one of the reasons I’m so drawn to painting ferries.”
Scott Gellatly, Creek Fleeting, oil on panel, 8 x 10 in.
Painting in a more abstract style, Portland, Oregon, artist Scott Gellatly will be presenting new work like Creek Fleeting, which was painted on site and depicts the intersection of a small creek and estuary at sunset. “Recently, I have been interested in bringing the color-driven approach of my studio works to small plein air paintings,” explains the artist. “In this painting, I am using the characteristics of color to capture the sensation of fleeting light on the landscape.”
The theme of the show applies to Gellatly’s overall artistic approach. “Through my paintings, I cultivate the power of color to elevate the experiential and emotional qualities of nature rather than the descriptive qualities of specific landscapes,” he explains. “I believe in color’s ability to convey emotion and energy, thus inviting viewers to engage with the work via their own identity and personal history.”
Chris Holt, Sound of Silence, oil on canvas, 18 x 24 in.
An opening reception for Elevated Moods will be held Sunday, November 1, from 5 to 7 p.m. A second reception will be held during West Seattle Art Walk on Thursday, November 12, from 5 to 8 p.m.
“November features some of the most sophisticated painters in the gallery,” says gallery -co-owner and curator Diane Venti. “If you are looking to ‘elevate your space’ with art that is refined and compelling…well then this is your month! This will be an exhibit full of beauty and talent.” —
Alki Arts 6030 California Avenue SW • Seattle, WA 98136 • (206) 295-5115 • www.alkiarts.com
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