In Season – Felicia Aroney, Eileen Gordon, Grant Donadson

IN SEASON
Opening celebration: 11–3pm 20th April.
Meet & Mingle with Eileen Gordon and enjoy sparkling wine and live music.

"In Season" is an exhibition that celebrates the colour, texture and sculptural forms that can be found in the Australian landscape. Established artists Felicia Aroney, Eileen Gordon and Grant Donaldson come together in this showing of paintings and glass art, in an explosion of sensational colour and light.

Felicia Aroney is well recognised for her highly sculptural floral and abstract paintings. She uses a palette knife technique to layer and shape the paint until it stands in relief of the canvas, giving it a textural depth similar to that in nature.

"I thoroughly enjoyed painting my latest body of work. It is a collaboration of my favourite botanical themes and techniques. I have explored delicate soft palettes and fine application, versus dramatic palettes and overtly abstracted blossoms."

Felicia draws inspiration from the fusion of her rich Australian upbringing and her European background and travels. Her contemporary blossoms are luxurious, and the play of light gives movement and life to the subject.

"Texture excites me as it has the ability to change in different light, hence the art work leaves room for contemplation," says Felicia.

Eileen Gordon was raised in a close knit family of glass artists, and as a second generation glassblower she has a deep understanding of the profession. After formal training in England and Adelaide SA, Eileen has been exhibiting professionally since 1985 and over this time has earned a reputation as one of Australia’s most prominent glass blowers.

"My passion for colour and form as a fused glass artist is greatly inspired by the Australian landscape in particular of the Mornington Peninsular, the surrounding ocean, it’s sunrises and fabulous sunsets," says Eileen.

Eileen’s expression of these influences is transferred into elegant shaped vessels, platters, bottles and sculptural forms, using stunning choices of crisp, vibrant colours and patterns.

Grant Donaldson and Eileen Gordon have been a dynamic team since 1994 when Grant started his full time glassblowing career under the training and guidance of wife Eileen. After working the land as a farmer for 15 years, Grant fell in love with glass as a medium for expressing the deep connection and understanding he feels for the Australian landscape.

"I love the difficulties of working with glass, the dangers and thrill of exploration and experimentatio—finding new and more challenging ways through the medium of glass blowing to express my feelings about the land," says Grant.

Grant’s creative edge is well regarded as unique. He draws on technique and experience to "tell stories" with the glass forms he creates, which often have a painterly look to them as he expresses the sense of place that each piece represents.

"In Season" is showing at JahRoc Galleries, 83 Bussell Highway, Margaret River from the 20th April – 19th May.