Artists Aleta Pippin, Jami Tobey, Jeffrey Beauchamp and Gina Rossi will present contemporary visions of the landscape in their upcoming group exhibition, Inspired Views, opening Friday, September 8th, 5-7pm. The artists offer modern interpretations of typically traditional subject matter through their own distinct styles, which are guided by an emotional, visceral response to nature. This week, we’re highlighting the work of Aleta Pippin and Jami Tobey, two painters whose work is fueled by the versatility of their materials, the emotional resonance of color, and their dramatic desert surroundings.
Aleta Pippin fully abandons the classical techniques of landscape painting in favor of abstraction. Pippin’s current environment in Santa Fe as well as memories of her childhood in southern California has instilled in her an awe-inspiring view of the desert. The artist recalls the desert’s ever-changing light as she explored the San Jacinto foothills as a young girl, with rose-colored skies descending over craggy mountain ranges. Light and color are Pippin’s driving sources of inspiration; these elements along with a fluid and intuitive painting process allow Pippin to reveal her personal relationship with the landscape, which is one of freedom and adventure.
The Journey is a 54×18” atmospheric oil painting that Pippin has created for Inspired Views. Pippin says of this painting: “I like the color and light in this piece. When I was a child the idea of climbing the first hill to see what’s there was an inspiration for hiking. This painting feels like if you climb the foothills and continue on, you’ll eventually reach the furthest pinnacle. It’s also a metaphor for life’s adventures and challenges as we (hopefully) become wiser as a result of those opportunities.”
The same environments that permeate Pippin’s canvases also come through in Tobey’s work. The stylized landscape painter grew up in Santa Fe and currently lives in southern California, where broad skies and billowing clouds dominate the artist’s views and compositions. Color also plays an important role as “it sets the tone and decides the atmosphere” of each piece. Mountains and mesas adorned with metallic ink are blanketed with a celestial glow as clouds swirl through vivid hues above, guiding our attention skyward.
“Sonic Desert” is a new mixed media piece in the show that pays homage to New Mexico and its spectacular skies. Tobey says of this painting: “Sonic Desert has an element of collage, which I’m really interested in right now. I love paper and its versatility, especially how it can add to the story of the painting. I love the crispness of the story of this painting, with the big New Mexico skies and rolling landscapes. I come from the perspective that the real landscape is in skies, and I like bringing that feature into my work.”
View the Inspired Views group exhibition catalog here and be sure to browse more new paintings by Aleta Pippin and Jami Tobey on our website.