HOW TO GO
What: "Flavor of Italy," paintings and stoneware with hand-carved wood
Where: Bear's Mill, 6450 Arcanum-Bear's Mill Road, eastern edge of Greenville
When: Continues through April 21
Hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
More info: (937) 548-5112 or www.bearsmill.com
Get a taste of Europe in Darke County at Bear’s Mill over the next few weeks when Elaine Balsley makes you yearn for an Italian getaway, and Rick Paldino provides the perfect vessel for a nice cup of English tea.
Balsley, of New Vienna, is presenting vibrant Italian landscapes, still lifes and floral macro paintings. Paldino, of Troy, is showing off his exquisite pottery enhanced by hand-carved wooden handles.
“The two artists’ works show very well together,” said Bear’s Mill representative Julie Clark. “The colors in Rick’s work and Elaine’s work are very complementary. I think the exhibit has beautiful and intimate areas of interest.”
One area, for instance, includes Balsley’s “Vienna Gondolas.” The line of boats waiting for passengers is hung above another line — that of four Paldino clay vessels with curved wooden handles. The dreamy aqua of the water under the boats mimics the blue-green color in Paldino’s teapots.
“Composition is important. I strive to capture color, texture, shadow and light in my work,” said Balsley, who studied under Ron Lee, a professional illustrator/artist who taught at the Wind Art Gallery in Centerville. “I’m particularly inspired by the impressionists, especially Monet, Degas and Cassatt. They painted with feeling and expression, something I try to (imitate).”
The texture in her painting “Sunlight” is particularly palpable. Tiny little seeds appear here and there over red grape bundles nestled in large green leaves, covered with a clear glaze. She is especially adept with her shadow and light technique in her painting “GrapeVine.” In addition, she recently completed a series of floral macros with bright yellow sunflowers.
The artist has shown an aircraft painting at the Pentagon, and donated several more to the Air Force Art Program. She has studio space at the Cannery Art & Design Center, is a member of the Dayton Visual Arts Center. Her work was recently included in “A Painter’s Quick Reference: Cats & Dogs” by North Light Publishing. Go online to www.orchardviewstudio.com to see more of her work.
While Balsley was mostly self-taught, Paldino obtained a degree in art education at Wright State University.
“I had the privilege of studying under Dr. Chris Shatsby,” said Paldino, who taught at the Art Center in Nashville and now lives in Troy. “There has always been a pottery studio in my home to work out of, no matter what else I’m doing.”
The result of his passion for clay is beautiful, functional artworks. He imagines square pots with abstract designs and unique wooden handles, and elaborately decorated vessels with wooden, heart-shaped pulls. Some of his more whimsical handles resemble scorpion tails, like the ones on his cinnamon red teapot series.
“I work hard to unite the elements of design and execution defined as cooperation of hand, material and personality,” said Paldino, whose first experience with clay began at the Dayton Art Institute. “For the last two years I have begun to incorporate wood elements into my work. This has been a fun and interesting new challenge.”
You can see his wonderful stoneware/porcelain creations that he imagines after 40 years of experience when you visit the mill or by checking online at www.etsy.com/people/paldinopottery.
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