Artist Statements Reflect/Revise II September 2020

Maria Pia Marrella
Like many families during the pandemic, we decided to adopt a rescue dog in May, 2020. The last time my husband and I owned a dog was over 27 years ago, so our dog, Siggy's calm, gentle demeanor was a welcome addition amid a stressful time.
Siggy has also inspired a period of reflection and deep appreciation for nature,
and becoming my muse. The dog has made me rediscover and react to the dramatic landscape of our one acre Hudson Valley property. I have since learned to paint the color green without fear.
After years of working on politically charged work, my Pandemic Pup allows me to escape from our current crisis and just paint his grand, stylized form in his surroundings with bold color and light.

Bill Kooistra
I have an interest in visual experiences that appear arbitrary or random. It is one of the elements I like most about ‘Impressionist’ art, especially the use of unusual cropping. The Suburban paintings are an attempt to depict shadows that are a part of everyday experience especially as they change and move at almost every moment. The reference to suburbia is generally where I have seen them; sitting on a bench on a bike trail or in a seat at an outdoor restaurant or simply walking across my property. I am less interested in the accuracy of the depiction as I am of using paint and color to present the images as I remember them.

Nancy Steinson
I am submitting four drawings that were inspired by wondering what it might be like to be in outer space. The shapes resemble objects that might sail by half formed and are penetrated by light from other universes. The sculpture, Annunciation, was the first work in steel in which I curved an edge trying to give the piece a bit more feeling of softness and earthiness. After this first attempt at bringing a curvilinear form into my work, I proceeded to actually bend the steel to have it conform with a feeling and presence of a lyrical and perhaps sensual form as opposed to pure minimalism.