"The World in Color," an exhibit of mixed media paintings by Minneapolis artist Jill VanSickle, opens June 22 at Ripple River Gallery near Bay Lake. A celebration of color and texture, VanSickle's paintings reflect her love of nature and botanicals, the news release stated.
There will be an opening reception from 5-7 p.m. June 24 at the gallery and the exhibit will be on display through July 17.
"The subject of my work is sometimes recognizable, and sometimes worked into abstract imagery," the artist said in the release, adding that the abstracted botanicals are "looser, bolder, and maybe a bit more challenging to the eye." And while the subjects of her paintings may be recognizable, it is her use of color, line and abstraction that create a dreamlike, energizing quality that sets her work apart, she stated.
VanSickle credits her upbringing to her focus on plants and flowers. Her grandparents immigrated to Minnesota from the Netherlands after World War II.
"They brought with them both great knowledge and love for growing things. Some of my very earliest memories are of their vast tulip beds." VanSickle stated, who also credits the influence of her florist, master-gardening mother, a stepfather with an affection for prairies, and an animal-loving, outdoorsman dad.
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VanSickle's paintings are made in layers using several mediums. She begins her paintings with acrylics and then moves on to water-soluble oil paints. She adds oil pastels for texture and line before each piece is varnished.
A Minnesota native, VanSickle earned her degree in fine arts with an emphasis in textiles at the University of Wisconsin, River Falls. Currently she works as a full time painter and exhibits her work at shows and in galleries around the Midwest.
Ripple River Gallery is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday; and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays.
For more information e-mail ripplerivergallery@gmail.com or call 218-678-2575.
