Want home decor you can adore? - Go Local
By Robin Tierney
Special to The Examiner
Published: Friday, July
1, 2005 9:26 PM EDT
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| Washington based painter/ sculptor Peter Romero, from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, works in an abstract expressionistic style that is known for its bold color and use of texture, in Washington. Arianne Starnes/ For The Examiner |
It's not unusual to find people peering into the windows of Peter
Romero's Washington rowhouse. And if they like what they see, they're
welcome to come in for a personal tour.
Inside, the walls of all
three floors are covered with brilliantly colored paintings. Every
horizontal surface displays enchanting sculptures. The painting styles
span acrylic, mixed media, watercolor, pastels. The subjects range from
D.C. cityscapes to Hawaiian lava fields to a visually addictive abstract
of the Nile. The clay pieces display an array of finishes from cold patina
to raku to oxide washes. But they share one thing in common: Romero
created them all.
"I enjoy having my art displayed in such a way
that [passersby] can see it," Romero says. Consequently, quite a few of
his Logan Circle neighbors buy his art to adorn their own homes.
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Robin Bland discovered Romero's artwork through a mutual acquaintance.
"I was delighted by the personal tour. ... It was exciting to hear what
inspired each piece."
Having recently moved to a home in D.C.'s
Truxton Circle neighborhood, Bland purchased two paintings: a large,
exuberant urban windows scene that, in her kitchen-dining area, "creates a
really nice atmosphere for socializing," and the intimate, storied "Dreams
of a Woman Making Bread."
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| Washington-based oil painter Michael Spears explains "The Stretch," one of his more popular works, on Tuesday in the James Gallery. Spears describes his style as modern impressionism with an emphasis on mood and motion. Arianne Starnes/For The Examiner |
"Peter's paintings add so much to my home environment. It's so nice
waking up to something so full of energy, full of optimism," Bland says.
Buying directly from a local artist can save money since galleries
typically must mark up the work. However, other benefits matter more to
Bland: "It's wonderful to be able to know the artist, to be able to follow
his work, and to meet other people who enjoy the artist's work," relates
Bland. "It adds to your sense of community."
Romero's paintings run
$150 to $2,800, and sculptures are $60 to $2,500. Driven to share his
passion, he tries to work things out so that admirers can afford his work.
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| Washington based painter/ sculptor Peter Romero, from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, with his works done in an abstract expressionistic style that he is known for with bold color and strong use of texture. Arianne Starnes/ For The Examiner |
Radical, homespun
Local aficionados can find well-priced
original art in galleries as well. The works at Gallery Neptune in
Bethesda include whimsical, surreal paintings and sculptures by owner
Elyse Harrison. Priced at $125 to $250, her inventive figures, which
combine 3-D sculpture with 2-D illustration, have become popular choices
for homes and beach houses.
Harrison finds that her paintings,
which sport intriguing names such as "Tango for Elephant and Duck" and run
$200 to $4,000, appeal to people who "like to celebrate life."
Those positive people include Susan Leonardi, who has decorated her
Bethesda home with several Harrison originals, including a custom-ordered
fantasy landscape in which a bumblebee-lady plays a string instrument.
Those seeking more traditional subject matter have plenty of homegrown
choices. Take Bernice Shaller of Rockville, whose works include still
lifes of shimmering flowers blossoming forth from bold-hued backgrounds.
While her top prize-winning showpiece in the Arts Club of Washington's
recent competition is priced at $9,000, her prints start at $150 and
original paintings at $1,200.
"I taught myself to paint by copying
from the Old Masters at the National Gallery of Art," says the D.C.
native, who works in the centuries-old medium of egg tempera to achieve an
incredible luminosity in her paintings.
Broad appeal
Over at the James Gallery in the Gateway area of Georgia Avenue Northwest,
Michael Spears recently unveiled his newest painting, "Sophisticated
Ladies at Club Harlem." Its life-loving, wild-hatted women join the cast
of gracefully rendered characters in Spears' collection, such as a wedding
party, church service and "Family Gathering," inspired by his late
mother's love for reunions. A unique fusion of modern impressionism and
folk art warmth gives his works broad appeal.
Janice Parker Watson
agrees. The Manor Park D.C. homeowner began collecting art two years ago.
Last month, she discovered the low-profile gallery while waiting for a
nearby shop to open. Feeling certain that Spears will become famous,
Watson decided to buy four pieces before demand drove prices up.
Potential value matters less than current value to Watson: "'River Peace'
is so tranquil that it's the spot where I go when needing peace of mind."
Treasure in plain sight
"People are amazed when they discover
the talent right here in our area," says Brenda Smoak, who owns Alchemy, a
boutique that opened earlier this year in south Silver Spring's emerging
arts district. "You can get a piece of original art or the price of a
print" at an out-of-town gallery. Alchemy displays creations from nearly
60 local artists, ranging from $20 handmade beeswax bowls to large $800
paintings.
Nearby at Kari Minnick's Art Glass Studio, you'll find
stunning centerpieces among the kiln-formed and flame-worked glass
creations, some embedded with exotic handwritten text and symbols.
Interactive, too
And you need not travel far to find
world-class ceramics for your home. Consider Elisabeth Lescault's
decorative vessels. The Cheverly clay master's swooping forms, layered
color glazes (check out the astonishing reds) and multiple firings result
in treasures that enchant for a lifetime.
"Sometimes people think
they chose an artwork because it picked up a color in the room, but more
often, it's simply because they love the piece," says Lescault, whose
prices range from $50 for small vases to $2,000. The right piece
"transforms your environment and makes your life more pleasurable." No
wonder people have sent Lescault pictures of her pieces displayed in their
homes.
Lescault is a member of Creative Partners, a co-op gallery
in Bethesda. While on shift at this splendid artspace, jewelry designer
Stefanie Taylor explains that the members take turns keeping shop - which
means lower prices for buyers. Another advantage: "People can work
directly with the artist ... and commission a piece specifically for their
space and taste." In addition, the co-op will loan a piece of art so that
the prospective buyer can see how it looks in their house.
Buyers
often become ardent patrons. "The first [Lescault] piece I received as a
retirement gift," recounts Betty Timberlake. "Then I bought eight more for
myself and several others as gifts." The keepers grace her Bethesda
condo's entryway, living room and study.
'Go with your gut'
How do you choose a piece for your home? "My advice is to go with your
gut," said Michele Hoben, an award-winning painter, architect and
independent curator heavily involved in the Capitol Hill Art League.
"You may not see the same thing the artist did in creating a piece;
however, you bring your own life's experience and it then becomes 'your'
painting."
"Many people feel they can't afford original art,"
observes Romero, "I try to make art affordable for others to enjoy."
Looking at the wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling artwork in his house, the
artist admits to another reason for sharing his creations: "I need to make
room for new paintings."
Local Artwork Sources
Peter Romero
1320 Wallach Place NW
202-483-7555
www.RomeroArt.com
Creative Partners Gallery
4600 East West
Highway, Bethesda
301-951-9441
www.creativepartnersart.com
Gallery Neptune
Elyse Harrison
4808 Auburn Ave, Bethesda
301-718-0809
www.galleryneptune.com
Arts Club of Washington
2017 I St. NW
202-331-7282
artsclubofwashington.org
Michael Spears
The James Gallery
7610 Georgia Ave. NW
202-291-5787
Alchemy
Brenda Smoak
8025 Georgia Ave.,
Silver Spring
301-565-2262
www.artandalchemy.com
Kari
Minnick's Art Glass Studio
8230 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring
240-678-8649
www.kariminnick.com
Michele Hoben
Capitol Hill Arts Workshop/
Art League
545 7th St. SE
202-547-6839
www.chaw.org/art_league.php3
Bernice Shaller
www.artbybernice.com
