New Art Exhibit Opens at the Kentlands Mansion

[Howard Hartman]

City of Gaithersburg Press Release
For Immediate Release          May 27, 2011

New Art Exhibit Opens at the Kentlands Mansion

Gaithersburg, MD – (May 25, 2011) - The City of Gaithersburg presents "Nature & Wildlife: Alaska to South Africa" oils, pastels, and prints, by Linda Harrison Parsons and Marilu Tousignaut and the “Colorful Works” oil paintings by Marie Riccio. This multi-exhibit will be held at the Kentlands Mansion, 320 Kent Square Road, Gaithersburg, MD from June 3 to July 31, 2011. The Mansion Gallery strives to foster a dialogue between the artists and the community. To view this exhibit, please call the Mansion at 301-258-6425 to schedule a visit. The public is invited to an artists’ reception at the Mansion on Tuesday, June 7, 2011 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. to introduce the collection.

Marie Riccio is a dedicated Plein Air landscape painter who begins her compositions by observing from life and seeking a color relationship that catches her eye. Sometimes, this means only painting the roof of a house and the surrounding tree tops, or peeking through trees to water. Marie truly enjoys the unending supply of relationships and challenges found in nature. This awareness plays an important role in her work, in particular towards the connection between figures and the ground. Marie has spent time in Italy painting and studying its rich art history. Her work has been shown in Philadelphia and New York

Linda Harrison Parsons works with dry mediums and soft pastel on handmade papers. Her technique allows the image to be pulled out using a kneaded eraser to start the drawing. Pastel sticks and pencils are then added in to create the details of bark, mountain ranges and wildlife. Linda believes in artwork inspired by nature and is a strong believer in protecting the environment striving to preserve images that are here today, but may be gone tomorrow. Her work has been seen in England, Hawaii and Brazil. To learn more about this artist you can visit www.lindaharrisonparsons.com.

Marilu Tousignaut directs her focus on nature and wildlife created on scratchboard, a clay cover board with a black ink baked on the surface. She uses an exacto knife to scratch away the black surface exposing the white lines. The effect is dramatic black and white, but Marilu sometimes adds a touch of color. She searches for bounty of wildlife and nature as she experiences various travels around North America including Alaska and as far away as South Africa. Once home she relives her joys of the trips by creating art work from the wonderful images and memories.
For more information please contact Andi Rosati at 301-258-6394 or arosati@gaithersburgmd.gov or visit the Kentlands Mansion online at www.gaithersburgmd.gov/kentlandsmansion.

"Majestic" by Linda Harrison-Parsons

"Peregrine Falcon" by Marilu Tousignaut

"Through" by Marie Riccio