The Delaware and all its glory comes to life at The Artful Deposit
By Anthony Stoeckert
IN the middle of an unbearable heat wave that made New Jersey miserable, the paintings on view in The Artful Deposit gallery reminded us of what we love about this time of year.
The gallery’s exhibit walls feature joyful celebrations of the outdoors, mostly in warm weather. Michael Malzone’s “Childs State Park” (pictured on the cover of this issue of TimeOFF) shows waterfalls outlined by green leaf-covered trees, river water rushing down three levels of falls that look like steps. Rapids crash and make their way down the “steps,” reducing in intensity until the white of the rapids fades.
It’s one of the images on view in Along the Delaware River and Crosswicks Creek, 2013, on view at The Artful Deposit in Bordentown through Aug. 23. The show features works by the gallery’s member artists, and some pieces from guest artists Mr. Malzone from North Jersey and Alan Fetterman from Bucks County, Pa. Both paint en plein air, and Mr. Malzone offers scenes of the Delaware from the northern perspective, as opposed to most of the other artists who paint the Central Jersey-Bucks County area.
Cynthia Dawley’s “Spring Awakening” shows a quiet waterside scene. A duck can be seen in the water — ripples formed around it. Houses are visible in the background, another duck rests on the bank, as if waiting for his friend to finish a swim. Leafless trees can be seen, and to the left of the frame are long, hanging willow-type branches from an unseen tree.
Ms. Dawley lives in Union County, far from the Delaware. Since she paints from pictures, she looked through her archives and found some photos she thought could be the subject for a painting.
She found some from a trip she took to the Lambertville-New Hope, Pa., area, which is where “Spring Awakening” is set. But she says she’s not sure which of those two towns the scene is from.
”That one, I tried to keep fairly true because it is supposed to be the Delaware River,” Ms. Dawley says. “Sometimes (I paint scenes as they are), and sometimes I don’t, sometimes I use the photo more as an inspiration.” She adds that she did add a stone wall in one of the houses and also changed the landscaping a little.
”And the ducks were there!” Ms. Dawley says. “I love the ducks, that’s why I was taking the pictures, because of the ducks.”
The Artful Deposit’s summer exhibits showcase paintings built around a theme, and while all artists stick to the theme, variety comes out in styles and viewpoints. The collection is a mix of works that are abstract, realistic and playful. There are day scenes, night images, and even winter images.
Gallery owner C.J. Mugavero says she doesn’t direct the artists as to what kind of work to submit, just that it has to fit the theme. The variety of the art is the result of the variety of artists she has assembled.
Eleinne Basa’s paintings in the show include “River Light,” which is featured on the exhibit’s promotional postcard. It focuses on the river’s banks more than the water, as we see a brownish image of trees with autumn colors, and some branches resting on the banks of the river.
Ms. Basa’s “Scarlet Reflections” is another autumn scene, but one dominated by reds and brown, tall grass. Her painting “Fireflies” shows a dark evening, gently lit up by those illuminating summer insects.
Sculptor Dahlia Guzik contributes ceramics: beautiful turtles, playful lizards. Glass artisan Karen Deets created elegant but funny dragonflies. When I first looked at them, I thought they were mosquitoes.
What can I say? I don’t love summer, so I tend to see its negative side.
In addition to the summer exhibit, Ms. Mugavero is introducing a line of products through her “Artful Living with C.J.” line. First up is a series of mugs featuring the artwork of David Kelly. Mr. Kelly’s paintings are far from realistic, they are playful, almost cartoonish, but they capture real emotions.
The mugs (15 ounces, microwavable and dishwasher safe) feature Mr. Kelly’s works, such as “Pushing the Elephant” and the “Kissing Rock” (suggestion: buy that one for your sweetie right now).
Also available are mugs from Mr. Kelly’s Zodiac Series, which showcased paintings representing the signs of the Zodiac. Those mugs come with a parchment scroll, explaining the legend of the Zodiac. They make for a cute birthday gift.
Along the Delaware River and Crosswicks Creek, 2013 is on view at The Artful Deposit, 201 Farnsworth Ave., Bordentown through Aug. 23. Hours: Wed.-Thurs. 1-6 p.m. Fri. 4- 9 p.m. (through Aug. 23), Sat. 1-6 p.m., Sun. 1-5 p.m. Appointments available. For more information, go to www.artfuldeposit.blogspot.com or call 609-298-6970.