Sandra Principe: Flowers as Messengers (original) (raw)

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Sandra Principe: Flowers as Messengers

March 5 - May 12, 2002

Sandra Principe's oil paintings capture the beauty of light, illuminating flowers closely observed. Reminiscent of Dutch floral painters, and of American painters such as Martin Johnson Heade, Principe creates sculptural floral forms, with exquisite detail and glowing light. Principe prepares her own panels, painting medium and varnishes, using formulas handed down through generations of artists, dating back to Rubens. These materials and methods allow Principe to achieve gemlike colors in her paintings and to convey detail and brush strokes which add a wondrous dimension to her paintings. Principe's paintings are included in numerous private and corporate collections. Her paintings are also included in the recently published book: Art Scene Chicago 2000. She is represented by Gallery Shoal Creek in Austin, Texas; Clarke Galleries in Stowe, Vermont, Hildt Galleries in Chicago, Illinois; and Clarke Galleries in West Palm Beach, Florida. (left: Light on White Phalaenopsis, 1999 oil on panel, 14 x 10 inches)

In a recent newsletter from the artist Principe noted concerning one of her works that: "I painted landscapes for 20 years before being captivated by florals for the past five years. This new direction combines my old and new loves into a single creation. The paintings have a somewhat mysterious tone, as the viewer contemplates the bouquet in the outdoors setting. While appearing very modern, this tradition dates back to the Dutch painters of the 1600's. The works convey a love of nature, and tell us to see the grand scale of things as well as the details." (right:Untitled)

Kenosha Museum is now the home of Sandra's original oil painting, entitled "Two Orchids." The painting, measuring 24 x 20 inches, is on display in the permanent collection of the Kenosha Wisconsin Public Museum. According the Principe, a new three story building, overlooking Lake Michigan and the Kenosha Harbor, recently opened and a solo show of Principe's paintings is scheduled be held at the Museum in the Summer of 2002.

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