Carolyn Marks Blackwood: Hudson River Photography &
Nancy Bauch: White Forest Pottery
Now through August – Hammertown Rhinebeck Gallery
Carolyn Marks Blackwood: Photographer
Having spent her professional career writing and producing in the film and television industry, she had been on a quest to find a small studio to do her work. Ultimately this brought her to a “little house” in the village of Rhinecliff, sitting on a 100 foot cliff overlooking the Hudson. The extensive 180 degree view of the Hudson River, Catskill mountains, the Kingston Rondout and Lighthouse proved a worthy distraction from her work. Having been an avid photographer for the past 30 years, this distraction from her work lead to artistic inspiration. She would often find herself staring out the window at the ever changing view, the Bald Eagles and Great Blue Heron which flew over head, ships and sail boats on the river, incoming storms clouding over mountain tops, morning fog and dramatic sunsets. As an admirer of Contemporary Art, she saw elements in the water and clouds and fog that reminded her of her favorite works from the Hudson River School of painting. Poised on a cliff looking out over the river, it was easy to see where these artists drew their inspiration. Artists like Agnes Martin and Gerhard Richter must have observed similar vistas in their time. She could see the whole and yet also started to see how she could deconstruct the elements.
Much to Carolyn’s delight, thus began a professional photographic journey. What had once been an artistic passion took over her professional life. Six months ago, she showed her work for the first time, and her life has not been the same since. She has had numerous successful shows, both locally and in New York. And, recently, she has signed with the Alan Klotz Gallery in Chelsea (New York City).
Nancy Bauch: White Forest Pottery
Like Carolyn Blackwood, Nancy Bauch also draws her inspiration from her surroundings …particularly the Hudson Valley. After thirty years of design experience, Nancy Bauch’s work is still her meditation. Her work is largely inspired by the observations she makes of the earth…the opening in the ice, the lines in a leaf, the texture of a rock, the curve in a snowdrift, the light filtering through the forest at dawn. Underlying all is the hidden unity that nurtures her and breathes life into her pottery forms. Nancy goes into nature every day. It is her library of ideas. And it trains her eye to see.
Although she originally tried to imitate nature in her art, she has evolved to the point of working directly with the earth using a more sustainable process. She collects natural elements from her daily walking meditation in nature, and transforms these elements into new objects that dramatize and honor their beautiful qualities. She builds most pieces with clay or waxed linen coils layer by layer. This slow process allows her to contemplate the form while she is building it. By so doing, each piece becomes an experiment that leads to the next experiment.
There are numerous ways that Nancy’s art reflects her love and respect for the earth. In addition to using natural elements, she actively strives to simulate the imperfection and impermanence of nature itself. Each hand-made piece reflects the philosophy of “wabi sabi” an aesthetic that honors the beauty of imperfection. Her work is a reflection to the variability that is nature, and just as no two snowflakes are alike, so too are each of her pieces unique in their beauty.
We are delighted to be sharing the very impressive work of both of these talented women. We hope you’ll join us for the opening on Friday, June 20th at our Hammertown Gallery in Rhinebeck.
Barn Notes
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