Painting Is For Lovers

Aptly aligned with the romance of Valentine’s Day, Grenning Gallery in Sag Harbor is hosting “Painting, Beloved,” an exhibition opening February 13 which explores the “Mate as Muse” phenomenon by works by artist couples Ben Fenske and Amy Florence, Sarah Lamb and David Larned, Viktor Butko and Kelly Carmody, Marc Dalessio and Tina Orsolic Dalessio, Angel Ramiro Sanchez and Melissa Franklin Sanchez and Pedro Silva and Stefan J. Martin.

When often asked how she has so many amorous couplets within her artistic arsenal, Laura Grenning, the dauntless founder of Grenning Gallery, says that the gallery itself is entrenched in the art movement of this generation and has been since 1997.

Marked by a deep respect for the craft of fine painting, gallery owner Laura Grenning notes that this generation of artists has a looser, more poetic feel rather than a literal take on realism. The Poetic Realism movement, she adds, is not unlike that of the Pre-Raphaelites, or even the Renaissance, where the artists’ work improves faster with feedback and input of others.

“It turns out that painting well is a team sport,” says Grenning.

Many of these artists’ work styles, and thus their lives, evolved through adherence to a highly structured atelier program. This educational system actually becomes a way of life for many in that it values attention to detail which is vetted through direct and hourly input from a more experienced peer. Through this method, the artist develops a skillful hand at capturing the light and line of the subject, an accurate color palette and, perhaps most importantly, they develop the habit of spending significant time in front of a live model, a still life, or out in nature directly observing their subject. The dedication required for the intensity of this interaction is tremendous. There are trials and errors and constant course correction at first. The pursuit of making great art demands a totality of physical, emotional, and mental engagement, as would any worthy relationship. Therefore, it is not surprising that artists trained in this fashion might find themselves in the throes of passion with a like-minded individual. Utilizing the romantic underpinnings of “Mate as Muse,” this exhibition considers the camaraderie, and shared passion, and looks at the indirect collaboration which naturally occurs within these relationships.

Due to COVID-19 considerations, the gallery will not be hosting a traditional opening but invites clients to come down to see the new show, which will be on view through Sunday, March 7. Check out the virtual preview at grenninggallery.com.