Between Sky and Earth  

Nature in Harmony 

Suzanne E. Dougherty, Ewa Perz,

Trish Lounsbury, Gretchen Treitz

Public opening reception rescheduled for Friday, January 17th from 5-7 PM

On view January 10th- February 9th, 2025

Capacity Contemporary Exchange
 

 

This exhibition features the work of four artists working in the landscape or inspired by the natural world and it’s forms. During a season when it is the darkest and the flowers and plants are resting- in this exhibition we can have a look at landscapes that are in full bloom, warm, or full of color. Trees and flowers are a metaphor for the soul in Gretchen’s work, she helps us see an individual tree and the shapes of a flower, to appreciate each limb and petal. In Ewa’s floating flowers, we can revel in her use of color and how her application of paint shape the organic form. Suzanne’s use of light and Trish’s expressive brushstrokes capture the inherent emotional quality of working in the landscape.

 

 

About the Artists

 

Suzanne E. Dougherty

 

Suzanne studied in Florence, Italy as part of her Bachelor of Fine Art from Stanford University, speaks Italian and travels there often, sharing her enthusiasm for the culture with others. In addition to coursework at the University of New Mexico and the Art Students League of New York City, she has studied and painted with: Harvey Dinnerstein, Tony Ryder, Carol Mother, Gaela Erwin,

John Michael Carter, Bill Fletcher, Albert Handell, Phil Starke, Greg Grenzt, and Milt Kobayshi.

 

Suzanne has taught art within various school systems, in workshops and private lessons in her studio. One of her main objectives as an artist is to interpret the emotion of her subject and feels it is imperative to have a story, a reason behind every piece.

 

 

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Ewa Perz

 

Ewa Perz was born in Gdansk, Poland. There she received a Masters in Biology but nurtured a hidden passion for being an artist. After living in Europe, she moved to Mexico City where the bold colors of the indigenous palette deeply inspired her to start painting. From there, she traveled to Costa Rica to take classes with Felo Garcia and to Santa Fe to study with David Laffel. Global cultures, styles, and trends strongly influence her choices in themes. Leaving her career in the sciences behind, she relocated to Louisville, Kentucky. It is here that her practice matured and the local galleries and curators took notice of her unique and compelling imagery. Ewa has exhibited her work in Kentucky, and featured at Art Basel Miami and Dan Jose Del Cabo, Mexico. In 2011, she attended a residency in Antibes, France resulting in an exhibition of work at Galerie Municipale.

 

 

 

Trish Lounsbury

 

Trish was born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky. She earned a degree in art education from Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and taught art at elementary school in Louisville for several years. From there, opened Celebrations, a gift, stationary and frame shop that her and her husband operated for almost thirty years.

 

Since retiring in 2019, she has been able to devote her time and energy to not only her painting practice but her needle felting and rug hooking endeavors.

 

 

 

Gretchen Treitz

 

There is nothing more magical to Gretchen than a saturated brush flowing over watercolor paper. It is a balancing act between control and surprise, but that’s the fun of watercolor painting. There is a real joy in the seemingly spiritual process of its spontaneity. Gretchen’s nature paintings personify a similar resiliency and fragility. Trees and flowers are a metaphor for the soul. They seem to act like a perfect being in adversity. Their endurance, growth and mystery inspire me. Whether it be a delicate rose, a steadfast oak, or a tiny sparrow, Gretchen can relate to their perseverance in weathering the elements.