FIRST FRIDAY ART WALK – Fresh Gallery – Springfield

About Them

Nancy Dornan began painting six years ago. In taking a variety of classes and workshops, Dornan explored a variety of mediums and styles. She feels that one of the greatest gifts early on was attending a workshop where she was encouraged to paint on large canvases with abandon. That experience was freeing for Dornan and is evident in her stunning paintings. Each piece has a balance of color and texture that is enthralling.

In the beginning she painted in single works, now she prefers to work in groups of three. Dornan begins her abstracts with one topic and abstracts one element from the original for the second piece and again, abstract an element from the second piece for the third piece. It is her way of developing a fuller grasp of the subjects.

Dornan says of her work, “I love to explore color and texture in a variety of subjects…from foods to travel experiences to light shimmering on water or light reflecting on a city scene. Bold colors and bold textures contrasting with subtle smooth paint passages appeal to me.”

Our second featured artist is Marian Chamberlain. Originally from the Springfield and Boliver, Missouri areas, Chamberlain’s work has been influenced by a strong personal drive, an art and art history based education, and her experiences as an educator. She works in printmaking, pastels, graphite, watercolor and a variety of other media. Printmaking has been a recent passion for her, as it allows her to combine drawing and an involved artistic and technical process. From Drury University, Chamberlain holds a BA in Studio Art and Art History and a ME in Art Education.

Of her art and process, Chamberlain says, “I love to draw, and working with dry point printmaking and etching allows me to incorporate that with a technical process that is challenging and produces a finished product that is classic and timeless. I love the multi-step process of working a metal plate and then printing it. Sometimes you know what you are going to end up with, and sometimes you are surprised. Some plates are victories the first time, and some take more working to reach a finished state. I like to experiment with the process. I balance myself mentally with pastels, which allow my mind to switch gears and create art in a different manner. I feel that the two media give my brain a well-rounded regimen of activities that is extremely satisfying.”

Chamberlain’s works range from intricate prints to soft pastels. It is an awe-inspiring thing to see the different works produced by only one artist.

Our final Featured Artist for July is Linda Passeri. Passeri really gives us an opportunity to switch gears from the two dimension works to the three dimensional masterpieces she creates. Her works are hand formed and carved ceramic sculptures. She is best known for her Steampunk Creatures, such as cats and birds. She adds metal, glass and found objects to her pieces to add character and personality. Passeri works with a sense of urgency. As she works, she can visualize the next piece that she wants to create, thus working quickly. She also enjoys testing the limits of what she can do with clay and working straight out of her imagination, taking the piece from her mind to her hands. Look closely at her work and a smile will be found in most.

Passeri has been a commercial artist since 1977. She began sculpting more recently, in 2009. In addition to her clay, Passeri adds sign painter, muralist, pin-striper and graphic artist to her long history of art and creativity. Her studio, Moon City Arts, is located in the New Moon City Creative District in North Springfield. She can be found there working on her own creations or teaching others to enjoy the creativity of clay.