Melanie Fetterolf – Rain Paintings & Classroom Art

October 7-28, 2016
Melanie Fetterolf – Rain Paintings & Classroom Art
Opening reception: Friday, October 7, 5:00-9:00 PM
Exhibition hours are Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM and Sunday, 3:30-6:30 PM (through October 23).

The Rain Painting series reflects a spiritual belief by the artist that a higher power has a hand in all that we do. The paintings are begun by hand, then given to nature (rain), and finally finished again by the artist. The paintings are a study of the juxtaposition of color and line, an experiment in the use of texture, and the abstract, uncontrolled nature of falling rain. They reflect a need by the artist to let go of control and allow the random and chaotic nature of the technique to create beauty. This creative process includes controlled and uncontrolled elements. The technique of a Rain Painting is to apply wet watercolor paint to 140 pound cold press watercolor paper. While the paint is wet the paper is then set outside for nature to design with rain, causing the applied colors to abstractly bleed, blend, and run. The painting is watched closely by the artist. Variations in design result from timing and intensity of the rain. Sometimes a mono print is made by pressing paper on the wet image, which is set in the rain, creating another original painting. Handmade book marks and note cards are made by cutting or tearing the larger work into smaller pieces.

Local art educator and watercolor specialist Melanie Fetterolf manages Painting Your World Studio located in Seymour, where art and painting classes are offered in six-week sessions for all ages in addition to paint parties. Fetterolf has displayed at the Davis Gallerias, Smoky Mountain Arts, and the Center for Peace. For more information, please visit www.paintingyourworldstudios.com.