Artists find inspiration in trees at Rosewood Gallery exhibition

How to go

What: 21st annual Works on Paper

Where: Rosewood Gallery, 2655 Olson Dr., Kettering

When: Through March 11

Opening reception: 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 13

Info: (937) 296-0294 or www.ketteringoh.org

Trees — they provide shade in the hot sun, oxygen for the environment, homes for the birds, and ... inspiration for artists. Never has this been more evident than at the 21st annual Works on Paper at the Rosewood Gallery. Out of 57 works in the show, about 8 of them use trees as subjects. And what’s more, 3 of those pieces earned an award ribbon.

Most Creative Use of Paper went to Sherree Emmons of Kettering for her mixed-media work, “Dogwood.” The delicate paper blooms and intricate leaves spring from a sturdy trunk and realistic branches. The mossy grass and rich blue fabric add to the overall presentation. It’s the illusion of spring in the midst of winter.

An Award of Excellence was bestowed upon Andrea Starkey of Bellbrook for “January Treeline No. 2,” a woodblock print. It is a reminder of the harsh winter we are enduring, but also a reminder of how much an artist will endure to make the image as close to perfection as possible. Starkey hurt the ends of her fingers carving around hundreds of bare branches.

“Trees are most often the subject and inspiration of my artwork,” said Starkey, an architectural illustrator and graphic designer. “In particular, I am fascinated by the relationship between branches and the way light passes through them, and the fact that each is unique.”

An Award of Merit went to Peter Frederick of Dayton for his untitled watercolor. From a distance, the tree at the bend of the dirt road looks like a photograph. Upon closer inspection, the viewer can see it is a painting.

“The best entries were well composed, with strong contrast and interesting arrangements of shapes; images that grabbed my attention from across the room and then rewarded closer scrutiny,” said juror Kristine Schramer. “The best works demonstrated excellent technique, including an intelligent and intentional use of color, texture, and value structure, as well as strong drawing and variety in mark-making.”

Another Award of Excellence went to Erin Holscher Almazan of Kettering for her digital print, “Cognitive Reframing 3: The Bull.” Ann Bain of Carlisle mixed poetry, fantasy and an ancient scroll form for her mixed media work, “Metamorphosis Wheel.” She won an Award of Merit, as did Alyson Eshelman of Springfield for her handmade silk paper work, “In Bloom.”

The following Dayton-area artists received Honorable Mentions: Kalana Bartmess, Rebecca Carpenter, J. Austin Jennings, and Richard Malagorski.

An interesting fact about this exhibit is two couples had works juried into the show: J. Austin Jennings and Randy Jennings, and Bridgett Bogle and Francis Schanberger.

Contact contributing arts writer Pamela Dillon at pamdillon@woh.rr.com.