CLOSING RECEPTION for PAINTING THE GARDEN STATE SOLO EXHIBITION by EMILY THOMPSON

Join us for the final weekend and a casual closing party on Sunday, July 14 from noon til 4. "Painting the Garden State" is a series of oil paintings by Emily Thompson, depicting iconic and offbeat locations in the great State of New Jersey. Thompson looks to the state of New Jersey for her artistic inspiration. Where others see only ugliness and blight this artist finds beauty and a never-ending supply of compelling subjects. Having grown up in New York City, her visits to and drives through New Jersey fascinated her from an early age… industrial scenes, roadside architecture and vintage signage, old bowling alleys, motels and diners. These offbeat locations now serve as models for her oil paintings, made in her studio on small square panels. Thompson’s paintings combine these recognizable images with textured, expressionistic brushwork and a broad color palette, ranging from decidedly unnatural yellows and reds of vintage roadside signs to subdued sienna’s, umbers and olive greens. A close inspection reveals marks made with gusto and assurance… though Thompson is quick to point out that all of the painterly issues and decisions are only in service of the mood and “nostalgic feeling of the painting” (and of the group of paintings as a whole).

SFA Gallery 10 Bridge Street, Frenchtown, NJ 08825

www.sfagallery.com (908) 268-1700

Hours: Thursday-Sunday 12-4 and by appointment.