Vicky Luffman
and
Theresa Shelton
"Tranquil Moments:
Oil and Silk"
Exhibition with Opening Reception November 17 from 3-5pm.
Vicky Luffman:
Vicky Luffman is a fiber and textile artist from Lakeland, Florida, and the owner of Brick
Street Gallery and Studio. Her passion is Silk Painting, a non-traditional approach to
painting because the painting is created on stretched silk, using vibrant dyes that result
in very saturated color, full of depth. Painting on silk has roots extending back hundreds
of years, most notably in Asian cultures where silk is cultivated. The dyes manufactured
for silk painting are very concentrated and permanent, resistant to fading, but allowing
light to pass through, while the sheen and luminescence of the silk surface allows light
to be reflected. After a painting is finished, it must be steam set to maintain the vibrancy
and permanency of the dyes. The paintings are framed or sometimes mounted onto
canvas.
I was introduced to Silk Painting 35 years ago. Working in watercolor, I was
drawn to silk painting because of the similarities in technique and method. But there
was this dance between the dyes and silk that I found very irresistible, romantic. The
fact that it was a medium that was little understood caused me to want to learn
everything I could about it and go beyond the boundaries this medium offered.
Vicky has taught hundreds of students the Art of Silk Painting and continues to
offer classes from her studio in Lakeland, the Polk Museum of Art, and John C.
Campbell Folk School in North Carolina. Besides teaching silk painting, Vicky offers
classes in felting and book making. Vicky regularly shows her work in galleries and
shows throughout central Florida and has participated in juried outdoor shows.
Theresa Shelton:
Theresa's love of art began in 6th grade when she received a Jon Gnaggy Drawing Kit as a gift from her mother. Many a day, this curly haired girl came home from school crying, after being picked last for whatever 'sport of the day' was played at recess. Finding comfort in drawing, the workbook pages became tattered and worn ass he completed all the lessons. The next fall, a drawing of her cat received a 1st place award. She was hooked! That simple start has taken Theresa on a lifelong journey asan artist. Shelton was born in Charleston, SC, while her father was stationed at the Naval Base. When his tour of duty was finished the family returned to their home state of Kentucky. Theresa's youth was spent on a small farm, riding horses, playing in the fields
and grandpa's creek, along with working in tobacco, hay and the family garden. Through these activities, she developed a connection with the land, its peaceful places and wild things, a connection that shows throughout her artwork to this day. She practiced drawing continuously, experimented with different painting mediums and started taking private oil painting lessons after high school. Through the years, Theresa has honed her talent by attending workshops,studying books/videos and many hours of practice. She has found that capturing the essence of a subject is best done through direct observation. So, with camera in hand,a sketchbook and small pochade box, she often strikes out in search of subjects thatspeak to her. Back in the studio, that reference material is used to create larger works. Ithas taken years of working with color for Theresa to overcome the obstacle of beingred/green colorblind. Switching to a limited palette and mixing her own colors hasseemed to be the answer. Each blank canvas is a new challenge which keeps her coming back to the easel time and again. Theresa's work has been honored with numerous awards and included in exhibits across the Midwest and Southeast United States and abroad. Her work has been represented by fine art galleries in the Midwest and Southeast.Memberships: Past president, founding & juried member of Central Kentucky ArtGuild; Exhibiting Member of Kentucky Guild of Artists and Craftsmen; Juried Member ofKentucky Crafted: 'The Market' and a member of Oil Painters of America
