Wednesday, July 6, 2016

On the Road - the artwork of Gail Bracegirdle and Richard Harrington

"On the Road"
featuring Gail Bracegirdle
 and Richard Harrington

 July 7 - July 31, 2016

Opening Reception: Saturday July 16,  4-8 pm
Closing Reception: Sunday July 31,  2-6 pm 


Artists Gail Bracegirdle and Richard Harrington, are pleased to announce the opening of their joint show, "On The Road", on Thursday, July 7th, at Artists' Gallery. The exhibit, which runs through Sunday, July 31st, features watercolor, acrylic, and oil paintings by the two artists, who were influenced by their road trips and travels through different places like Australia and along old Route 66 in the southwestern US. A reception with the artists will be held on Saturday, July 16, from 4 to 8 pm. Additionally, both artists will also be at the Gallery for a closing reception on Sunday, July 31st, 2 to 6 PM.

Gail Bracegirdle, who maintains her studio in Bristol, PA, often uses the sights from her travels as the starting point for her work. "My inspiration for all these paintings has been that I was there, and would like to share my visual experience with others. I always have a sketchbook, watercolors and my camera with me, so can do a sketch and take a photo whenever I'm inspired." The work exhibited by Bracegirdle includes scenes from recent trips to Australia, and the textures and surfaces in her paintings reflect her career and training as a textile designer. "All of the finished paintings are in watercolor, but I do enjoy experimenting with various types of papers" said Bracegirdle. "When I was an undergraduate at Moore College of Art, I was fortunate in that Ranulph Bye was my watercolor instructor. With my major not being in fine art at that time, my artwork has certainly taken me in many different directions and I continue to experiment, but have always appreciated his style and the quality of his paintings".

Richard Harrington, from Newtown PA, finds his inspiration for his work in urban and semi-rural areas. "I like recording what others may pass by" said Harrington. "I am often not interested in what is on the main streets of a town or a city, or the attractions highlighted by the local chamber of commerce; I enjoy driving the side streets and along the edges of towns, and finding an old car or truck parked behind buildings."

Harrington has worked as an illustrator for over 30 years, and is an Associate Professor of Illustration at Moore College of Art and Design in Philadelphia. His training and practice also is evident in the work he creates. "I always work from photographs; my scenes are often precise, and since my subject matter often involves specific vehicles in these scenes, I strive to make them very accurate" said Harrington. "Even if a vehicle is very rusty and has seen better days, I know there is a subtle difference between a 1949 and a 1950 Ford. Viewers who also know those models will notice that detail, and I try to be conscious of that as I create these paintings".

Both Richard Harrington and Gail Bracegirdle have been longtime members of the Artists' Gallery; Harrington joined in 2007, while Bracegirdle has been represented by the gallery since 1997.



Artists' Gallery, 18 Bridge Street, Lambertville, NJ - map & directions
Gallery hours: Thurs, Fri, Sat and Sunday 11 am - 6 pm
www.lambertvillearts.com