Aleta Pippin, Santa Fe abstract artist at Pippin ContemporaryAleta Pippin’s solo exhibition, “Landscapes of the Mind” opens on Friday, July 5th with a new body of work that represents subconscious emotion in response to nature and physical environments. For Pippin, it’s the clear light, deep blue skies, long views and majestic mountains of the desert – from her childhood memories in Southern California to her adult life in Santa Fe – that stir her passion, influence her emotions and fuel her paintings.

In her latest work, Aleta Pippin describes the landscapes of her life with warm color, rugged texture and abstract mark making – an artist’s emotional impression of breath-taking sunsets, impressive mountains and desert flora. In addition to outward environments, Aleta Pippin’s exhibition paintings also symbolize internal landscapes as bursts of movement and variations of color relate to personal growth, influential relationships or followed dreams. In this way, Aleta Pippin aims to connect with the viewer on an emotional level while reflecting on her own journey.

“The title of my exhibition is a metaphor for each of our life journeys, decisions made, dreams won and lost, love, health, joy – life. As such, the paintings will no doubt be interpreted by each viewer’s perception, choices, decisions, and overview of their own life.”

Below, Aleta Pippin provides insights behind her new paintings for “Landscapes of the Mind” in how they relate to the energy, color and emotional impact of nature.

The Portal by Aleta Pippin at Pippin ContemporaryThrough The Portal, oil on panel, 60″ x 24″

“The colors in this painting can be found in the rich blue of desert skies, rose and pinks of sunsets and blooming cacti, yellow represents the vibrant warm sun that heats the environment. One can imagine diving through the portal (light pink moving into the yellow almost in the middle of the painting) and swimming around in the rich color, enjoying the texture, searching behind the forms, so much to observe in this painting.”

 

Intertwined by Aleta Pippin at Pippin ContemporaryIntertwined, oil on panel, 48″ x 48″

“This painting moves away from my very abstracted work by giving you well-defined forms resembling flowers. I kept the major portion of the pallet in purples and grays purposely to draw your attention to the light magenta emanating from behind the flowers, with an alizarin yellow, and teal and red pops of color.”

Movement in Color by Aleta Pippin at Pippin ContemporaryMovement in Color, oil on canvas, 36″ x 60″

“To me, this painting is purely abstract – it’s all about color and energy. I blossom in a more arid climate and this painting represents that energy. The colors are the rich hues of the desert and the movement of strong wind whipping bushes and palm fronds about.”

Click here to view more paintings by Aleta Pippin

The combination of painted line, ethereal color movement, vivid patterning and sculptural luminosity will blend together for a bold and dynamic visual display in “Emotional Expressions in Color,” opening July 7th from 5-7pm at the gallery. This group exhibition will highlight the work of sculptor Suzanne Wallace Mears alongside painters Stephanie Paige, Liz Barber and Elizabeth Hahn. The painters in the show compliment each other’s aesthetic; Stephanie Paige’s horizontal hues ground us in a meditative color experience while Liz Barber’s bursts of floating forms excite our psyche. Elizabeth Hahn brings us back to reality with her figurative work, which also continues to immerse us in vibrant displays of color but with whimsical patterning.

Paige’s symmetrical compositions typically lend themselves to square and rectangular picture planes, however for this exhibition the artist has produced circular shaped paintings with a similar aesthetic. In “Be True” and “Luna’s Ocean,” variations of a single color tone blend together and are balanced around a contrasting line of pigment. Pleasing for our eye and mind, Paige’s pigment and plaster paintings are representative of awe-inspiring moments found within the natural world.

Barber is similarly inspired by nature and its seasonal rhythms. The Georgia artist favors the springtime when waves of color and intriguing shapes begin to emerge from the environment. Barber’s excitement for the season shows in her work; many of her paintings are named for the spring season’s cool rain, soft light and sweet song. “I typically focus on botanical elements,” says Barber of her work. “Buds popping out on tree limbs, flower petals emerging, grass pushing through the ground…this is the inspiration for this body of work.”

Hahn has a more representational and POP art approach when it comes to portraying her experience with nature. The Santa Fe artist inserts curtailed figures into her snapshot compositions of juxtaposed patterns and bright colors. Most of her work is focused around feet and their intimate interaction with the environment; blue high heels dance across wood floors while patterned cowboy boots traverse a desert environment. “Walking has always been my exercise, my therapy and where all my ideas for art come to me,” explains the artist of her preferred subject matter. Hahn’s body of work is a joyful reminder of life’s simple pleasures and wondrous views, while acting as a welcomed contrast to the otherwise abstract aesthetic of the exhibition.

Are You Late for a 10:30 Class by Elizabeth Hahn at Pippin Contemporary

Are You Late for a 10:30 Class?, Elizabeth Hahn, 30×30″ acrylic

Join us for the opening reception of this exuberant exhibition on Friday, July 7th from 5-7pm at the gallery.

Desert Dreamer by Suzanne Wallace Mears at Pippin Contemporary

Desert Dreamer, Suzanne Wallace Mears, SOLD

Emotional Expressions in Color opens this July as a powerful display of emotive energy, from meditative abstraction to whimsical realism. Suzanne Wallace Mears is the only sculptor in the exhibition of four artists; her work plays an important role in breaking the show’s two dimensional boundary with a striking display of sculptural luminosity. Stephanie Page‘s soothing yet vivid color palette, Liz Barber‘s joyous abstraction and Elizabeth Hahn‘s vibrant patterns are each physically embodied in Mears’ tabletop vessels and totems, which are infused with the spirited personality of the Oklahoma City artist.

“My totems are flamboyant, whimsically named and conjure up pure fun,” says Mears, who approaches her work in an abstract manner but with a specific theme and color palette in mind. Each piece takes on its own eccentric persona from the artist’s imbued energy, from the whimsical “Alligator Swag” and “Awesome Frank” to the mystical “Desert Dreamer” and “Spirit Memories.” Below are some of the artist’s personal contemplations on her latest work.

“Rain Dance represents how it feels to play out in the pouring rain, while Little Reef Knight is that little elusive reef fish peering out from a hiding place in the coral. The Vegetarian with rust, green and a topknot of handout plasma cut steel seems like it could be a culinary delight. Alligator Swag is a cocky alligator dressed up for a night in the glades, and Amber Waves is about the wheat fields and blue skies, lazy days and easy thoughts.”


Mears cuts flat sheets of glass and layers them to fire flat in her kiln, incorporating embellishments such as copper, wire and dichroic glass into their shapes. Multiple firings at anywhere from 1200 to 1500 degrees are often required for the artist’s desired effect, with pieces remaining in the kiln for days at a time. “It’s a delightful, challenging dance,” says Mears of her process.

Vibrant, luminous color is the driving force of inspiration for Mears and is the common thread that connects the four artists represented in Emotional Expressions in Color. Learn more about the exhibition here, which opens Friday, July 7th from 5-7pm. Browse Mears’ full inventory on her artist page of our website.

Suzanne Wallace Mears Pippin Contemporary Artist

See Exhibition Catalogue.

0f5b0867f267eff8bbe7fa55cf58177dHappy Holidays! It’s a special time of year in Santa Fe as the city is illuminated with farolitos and holiday lights, adobe buildings are adorned with wreaths and ristras, and the smell of pinon fires waft through the streets. Turquoise doors pop from adobe facades as snow falls from sunny skies – there’s truly no better place to be. We love strolling Canyon Road this time of year to see the local galleries all dressed up in their holiday finest, and always look forward to the annual Farolito Walk on Canyon Road for Christmas Eve (that’s this Saturday night!)

With this festive atmosphere also comes the joy of giving. Holiday shopping is never stressful in Santa Fe when you’re perusing cozy galleries and unique boutiques. Even so, we’ve decided to bring the holiday shopping to you by adding a special Holiday Page to our website. Here, we’ve assembled a selection of original work by our artists that ranges from $150 to $2000, so you can easily shop for the ideal gift.


Santa Fe Ristra

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Aleta Pippin, Santa Fe abstract painterThis October, an explosion of color will enliven the gallery with Aleta Pippin’s exhibition For the Love of Color. The show will run from October 12th through October 26th, with an opening reception on Friday, October 14th, kicking off the weekend of the Canyon Road Paint & Sculpt Out.

For this exhibition, Pippin is exploring new imagery within abstraction using both acrylics and oils. Vivid color continues to be central to her artistic expression with painting palettes that vary from soft mingling hues to strong contrasting colors. Swirling movement and flames of soft color rise up the canvas in Radiance, a 60×36” oil painting, while energizing motion and layers of striking hues vibrate against each other in Color Burst, a 36×36” oil on canvas.

Pippin’s intuitive painting style allows her to freely express her personal visions through abstract art. “My goal with every painting is to impart an internal expression that flows freely through me,” says Pippin. “It’s basically a narrative inspired by the paint.”

Color Burst by Santa Fe artist Aleta PippinColor Burst by Aleta Pippin

Pippin is also revisiting pouring the paint, a technique she explored many years ago in her career. Feeling drawn to the free flowing movement of the paint and the ambiguity of the outcome, Pippin is now approaching the process with a broader skill set and renewed vision. New poured pieces will be on display for the exhibition including Magenta Pour,  48 x 48”, oil. Pippin says of this piece:

“In 2003 through 2005 I used the process of pouring the color. I liked the large splashes and serendipitous events occurring through the use of this process. All of those paintings were done using acrylics; I’d never tried it with oils. So in revisiting the technique, I decided to do some of the paintings using oils. I loved what happened. The color melded together differently than acrylics. I plan on continuing to fine-tune this process.”

Magenta Pour by Aleta Pippin, Santa Fe artistMagenta Pour by Aleta Pippin

Read Aleta Pippin: For the Love of Color full press release and browse the exhibition catalog. You can also view new inventory on Pippin’s artist page. We look forward to seeing you at the opening reception on October 14th, 5-7pm.

This weekend is the highly anticipated Grand Opening of our new location and Fifth Anniversary Celebration at Pippin Contemporary. We moved into our new gallery space at 409 Canyon Road back in March after weeks of preparations (see the work in progress here), and now we’re gearing up for the season in the heart of Santa Fe’s historic art district. This permanent space is the culmination of a dream that started when Aleta Pippin opened her namesake gallery on Lincoln Avenue back in 2011. Since the original opening of Pippin Contemporary, the business has moved twice and now rests permanently at 409 Canyon Road in a space that is more than double the size of any previous location.

From selling her own work in a parking lot in downtown Santa Fe to owning a gallery space on Canyon Road that exhibits the work of 19 painters and sculptors, Aleta Pippin shares her journey as an artist and gallery owner in a city known as one of the top art markets in the country.

Q&A: Aleta Pippin

Aleta Pippin in her studioWhat was your first impression of the Santa Fe gallery scene and how did you break into it?

I started painting in 1992, landscapes and portraiture. It seemed that most art in SF was Native American or Western. As I progressed in my ability I moved toward abstraction. It wasn’t until 2004 that I committed to painting as a career (third) and proceeded to sell my work. I juried into the Santa Fe Society of Artists and began showing my work every weekend from the end of April through mid-October. The shows, though challenging to be out at 5:30 a.m. Saturday mornings to set up the tent, display panels, etc. were fun and a real learning experience. The first painting I sold was $4000. That couple bought two more paintings over the next few months and I still stay in touch with them. That painting signified a life-changing time for this couple and they remember it fondly as a celebration.

I met many artists, including Barbara Meikle and Guilloume, whose sculpture we show. Barbara eventually became my business partner and in 2006 we opened Pippin Meikle Fine Art. I’m thrilled to say that this is the 10th year celebration for Barbara’s gallery, Barbara Meikle Fine Art, which she continued after we decided to move forward on our own.

You’ve moved the gallery three times in the past five years. How did Pippin Contemporary evolve into what it is today?

In 2011, I asked Barbara whether she’d be interested in opening a gallery downtown. When she wanted to focus on her work and the Delgado location, I decided to go ahead and form Pippin Contemporary and sublet space on Lincoln Avenue. It was fun and we did fairly well, however the space was small and the location didn’t have near the foot traffic as what I’d experienced on Delgado, just off Canyon Road. Gallery space came available on the corner of Canyon Road and Paseo de Peralta in 2013. I decided to lease it and move back to Canyon Road. It actually ended up being a fortuitous move as there was room for outdoor sculpture and I ended up showing the work of a few amazing sculptors.

Aleta in front of signI have a habit of following my intuition in business. I believe I have an advantage that most people don’t have in that I’ve always been entrepreneurial, starting my business in 1984 in Houston during a terrible recession. I sold that business in 2008, not because I was looking to sell, but because I was given the opportunity by a large company who was buying. Since I no longer lived in Houston and wasn’t as directly involved in the business, it seemed that the timing was right.

Since I’d been focused on art and making a career in it, owning my gallery was a no-brainer. Shortly after Barbara and I opened our gallery on Delgado, we purchased the building, which Barbara bought out in 2013.

Did you ever dream you would own your own building on Canyon Road? How does it feel?

No, I didn’t anticipate owning a building on Canyon Road. However, as a result of some events that occurred during my lease, owning my building seemed like a practical option. It had to be the right building though as most buildings on Canyon Road don’t have large space for sculpture. Then the building at 409 Canyon Road came on the market and it seemed like the perfect fit.

I think the building is wonderful. It’s beautiful, the location is outstanding, and it’s one of the largest gallery spaces on Canyon Road.

A Bright Future by Aleta Pippin at Pippin Contemporary

A Bright Future, Aleta Pippin, 30×30″ acrylic on acrylic panel/resin

What do you envision for the future of Pippin Contemporary?

My vision is that we grow the current business via those collectors who come to Santa Fe. My broader view is that we move beyond to focus on the corporate and public art markets. Most of the artists represented by Pippin Contemporary could easily provide artwork for corporate clients, as well as site-specific work. Developing that client base will take time and effort. I realize it won’t happen overnight. There is so much happening right now with technology and the changes it has caused in how retail business is accomplished. We embrace the opportunities that technology provides and as it becomes more refined, we will continue to adapt our business style to it.

I believe just as one step led to another with my art career, that one step will lead to another growing the gallery.

Last weekend, more than sixty artists took to the streets for the Canyon Road Spring Arts Festival. Painters, sculptors, glass makers and more created original works of art outside the galleries on Saturday; their pieces were sold either by silent auction during the day or at the live auction event that evening.

We celebrated the start of the season with a Local Artist’s Reception on Friday and enjoyed a fun evening with artists, collectors, and friends. On Saturday, Gina Rossi, Rebecca Haines, and Cody Hooper painted in front of the gallery and discussed their work with visitors. All three artists sold the piece they were working on. Enjoy our photos from the event and mark your calendars for next year’s festival, May 11th and 12th, 2017.

Artists and friends enjoying our Friday evening reception:

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Photo May 08, 2 29 22 PM

Photo May 10, 7 59 39 AM

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Photo May 08, 2 29 07 PM

Saturday Slow Draw with Gina Rossi, Cody Hooper, and Rebecca Haines:

Photo May 07, 10 35 16 AM

Photo May 07, 12 29 44 PM

Photo May 07, 12 32 22 PM

Photo May 07, 10 55 49 AM

 

A lucky collector!

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Pippin Contemporary Santa Fe New Mexico

Our staff has been hard at work over the past week getting settled into our new gallery home at 409 Canyon Road. Now art is up on the walls, sculpture is placed in the courtyard, and visitors are pouring through. We’re still adding the finishing touches, but we love the way things are coming together and are getting excited for the upcoming season on Canyon Road. Plan to join us on Memorial Day weekend for our Grand Opening & Fifth Anniversary Celebration, and in the meantime, virtually explore the gallery through these photos:

Aleta Pippin art at Pippin Contemporary

Gina Rossi art at Pippin Contemporary

 

 

Miniature Room, Pippin Contemporary, Santa Fe

Miniature Room, Pippin Contemporary Santa Fe

Pippin Contemporary Santa Fe

Pippin Contemporary Santa Fe

 

 

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Photo Mar 23, 4 44 41 PM

Pippin Contemporary Santa Fe

 

Photo Mar 23, 4 43 23 PM

 

 

Pippin Contemporary is moving to 409 Canyon Road

Preparations at our new gallery home at 409 Canyon Road are well underway and near completion. We’re highly anticipating our big move in a few weeks, and we know you’re looking forward to seeing the fresh new look of the former Tom Ross Gallery. Landscaping and outdoor sculpture is coming soon, but for now here is a sneak peek of what’s been going on inside…

You may have seen some of these photos on our Instagram profile,
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for more behind-the-scenes updates!

Pippin Contemporary is moving to 409 Canyon Road

Pippin Contemporary 409 Canyon Road

Pippin Contemporary 409 Canyon Road

Pippin Contemporary 409 Canyon Road

409 Canyon Road Pippin Contemporary

409 Canyon Road Pippin Contemporary

409 Canyon Road Pippin Contemporary

409 Canyon Road Pippin Contemporary

409 Canyon Road Pippin Contemporary

Don’t forget to RSVP for our Grand Opening & Fifth Anniversary Celebration on Memorial Day weekend. Call the gallery at 505-795-7476 or email pippincontemporary@gmail.com and let us know you’ll be there!

Pippin Contemporary on Periscope
Explore the world through someone else’s eyes.
This is the tag line for Periscope, a popular new app launched by Twitter that allows users to connect through live stream videos. Think of it as Skype or FaceTime, except you can broadcast to viewers all over the world and tune in to just about anything you can think of; sneak into a closed sporting event, watch a political riot unfold, or go backstage with your favorite television actors. Periscope is a new and exciting way to share experiences and connect to the bigger picture. And for the art world, its possibilities are endless.

Museums and galleries have embraced Periscope as a way to bring their collections even closer to the public eye and broaden the impact of exhibitions. The British Museum was one of the first museums to take advantage of the app this past May with an after-hours guided tour of the acclaimed exhibition Defining Beauty: The Body in Ancient Greek Art. The broadcast provided an intimate view of Greek masterpieces, and viewers were able to send in questions and comments as they watched. Watch the broadcast here.

Soon the Indianapolis Museum of Art, the Rubin Museum, and the Grand Palais in Paris followed suit with live broadcasts from curators and tours of exhibitions. The trend has now grown to include MOMA, The Guggenheim, The Andy Warhol Museum, and more, who have broadcasted events, historic video footage of famed artists, and museum tours to unlimited audiences. If you follow these institutions on Twitter, keep an eye on their feed to be notified of their next broadcast. Each video is available for streaming 24 hours after it’s posted, unless the broadcaster saves the video and uploads to YouTube.

Galleries and auction houses also started reaping the benefits of Periscope by using it as another outlet to sell. Videos of new acquisitions give collectors a closer look, and live streams of opening receptions and auctions attract wider audiences. Talk with an artist about a particular painting, visit a sculptor’s studio, watch an exhibition installment, or even witness a three million dollar sale at Christie’s.

You guessed it; Pippin Contemporary is now on Periscope! Follow us and tour the gallery, meet new artists, see exhibitions going up, and more. Make sure to stay connected with us on Facebook and Twitter to be notified of live broadcasts.

Santa Fe Art Tour at Pippin Contemporary
Our first Periscope broadcast was of a tour group led by Santa Fe Art Tours. Follow us for more live gallery tours.