Summer in Winter at Marcia Burtt Gallery

Mar 3

Mar 3 Summer in Winter at Marcia Burtt Gallery

Review, Santa Barbara, Marcia Burtt Gallery

By Channing Mink, UCSB x Lum Arts Writing Intern

At Santa Barbara’s Marcia Burtt Gallery on a brisk February afternoon, visitors enjoy a mood reminiscent of the distant summer season. This is the Summer in Winter exhibition, a collection of work that creates a sense of warmth and carefree joy reflective of summer along the California coast. But these pieces are more than simple replications of summer scenes. The paintings, photographs and drawings demonstrate the ability of artistry, technique and materials to spark emotions in the viewer, creating an entirely new season: summer in winter.

Each of the twelve featured artists add a unique touch to the exhibition. Much of the collection of works are oil and acrylic paintings, but there is plenty of stylistic variety.

*Marilyn Turtz, "Sunset, Goleta Beach," acrylic, 8×12 in.*

Vibrant landscapes by Marcia Burtt, Marilyn Turtz and Robert Abbott demonstrate a clear mastery of light and color – the intricacies of summer weather are visible in ocean reflections, shadow work and the texture of the coastline. In a similar style, Anne Ward takes us closer to home, painting familiar, welcoming scenes of flowers, front yards and hand-picked fruit.

In a seemingly effortless painterly style, Ian Roberts and Michael Ferguson construct scenes filled with life and movement. The freedom in the brushwork makes these scenes just ambiguous enough that viewers can make them their own, letting the imagination run free.

*Michael Ferguson, "Open Pines," oil, 12×12 in.*

*Patricia Doyle, "Residual Current," acrylic, 36x36 inches*

Traveling further from reality, Patricia Doyle’s acrylic works and Marilee Krause’s watercolors reference summer in a more abstract way. Doyle’s chaotic yet cohesive canvases represent summer through a different lens, without the need for realism. The color palette of her acrylic painting, Residual Current, for example, reminds us of sunsets, reflections on water and mountains during the golden hour. The airy green, blue and orange tones in Krause’s abstractions symbolize the peace and beauty that defines the season.

Contrastingly, from a distance, oil paintings by Ann Lofquist and Erling Sjovold could be mistaken for photographs. An excellent understanding of color – in both shadows and highlights – and intentional brushstrokes work together to depict remote locations in these muted, serene paintings. The warm tones give a sense of summer weather and the adventure that comes with it.

*Ann Lofquist, "Otter Point II," o/p, 8.5x13 in.*

*Ian Roberts, "St. Auban," oil, 8×10 in.*

*Erling Sjovold, "Gibraltar Rock," oil, 18×14 in.*

Departing from the medium of painting, Bill Dewey and Susan Petty bring even more diversity to the collection. The first of Dewey’s photographs, Wave 8266, takes the viewer’s eye to a rolling ocean wave, the foam and mist signifying organic movement. The warm yellow tone within the wave perfectly embodies the phrase “summer in winter.” The second image, Mare and Colt, Sta Cruz Is., zooms out to a tranquil landscape, the blue and orange colors coming together in perfect contrast. Almost too exquisite to be familiar, the image transports viewers to faraway places.

Amidst the vibrancy of the group stand Petty’s two graphite drawings, one of a cactus plant and one of a hammock. Although they are simple, these two-tone drawings make a statement. The subject matter is even a little mysterious, alluding to the sense of quiet and calm often felt in the summertime. The cactus plant and hammock are nostalgic of childhood adventure and curious exploration.

As a whole, this stunning exhibition demonstrates the joy radiated by great artwork, especially when a collection is able to encompass an entirely new and exciting subject matter, or in this case, season. Summer in Winter unites a variety of artists, styles and mediums that all equally contribute to the aura of positivity present in Marcia Burtt Gallery.