130_SO20

Falling for Creative Cape Cod

Cape Cod Life  /  September/October 2020 / ,

Writer: Sue Dahling Sullivan

Falling for Creative Cape Cod

130_SO20

Cape Cod Life  /  September/October 2020 / ,

Writer: Sue Dahling Sullivan

Anchored
by Janell Bauer, Eastwind Studio and Gallery, acrylic

Heading to Harwich? At Odile Fine Art you’ll meet artist/owner/fashion designer Ruth Odile, a colorist who is often accompanied by her English Labrador “Castle,” creating large oil paintings depicting stunning skies over marshes, rivers, and oceans. While in Harwich Port, stop by the Cross Rip Gallery that was named by artist/owner Georgene Riedl for the legendary local water rips and artful currents. Family-owned for 50 years, the 1830s gallery often hosts Art in the Garden events set in her family’s perennial gardens. 

If traveling Route 6A, you’ll find the stunning marsh and twisting tidal river views from Ed Chesnovich’s Scorton Creek Studio in East Sandwich are beautifully captured in the bold colors and brushstrokes of his paintings. Once the studio of an accomplished decoy carver, the ‘bird barn’ is now Ed’s studio and will house his upcoming solo museum exhibit.

Odile Fine Art in Harwich

Over in Cotuit, across the street from the Cahoon Museum of American Art, Chapman Art Gallery owner Tim Bates believes that art links people, places and things together in a beautiful way, and his exhibits spotlight artists who make those connections come to life. Chapman’s roster of artists keeps Bates busy with a robust schedule of openings exhibits and receptions, and in the era of COVID, an expansive outdoor space allows for social distancing. A jaunt to Cataumet should always include a visit to musician/music industry veteran Bobby Baker’s 1800s beautiful art barn and the dramatic display of his signature monochromatic coastal photographs and prints.

Cross Rip Gallery in Harwich Port

Falmouth has a long history of fostering creative souls, including “America the Beautiful” author Katherine Lee Bates. Today, people like Julia O’Malley-Keyes, the resident artist and owner of O’Malley-Keyes Fine Art/Cape Cod Art Gallery, who is known for her “zero-pressure” mantra and award-winning gallery filled with oil paintings of Cape Cod vistas, sailing regattas, and coastal gardens, keep the tradition alive. For a different vibe, West Falmouth is the home to several artists and small galleries like The Village Gallery in West Falmouth where husband-wife artist team of Mindy and Ronnie Reasonover make art fun and accessible with bold and vibrant paintings including Mindy’s custom buoy paintings, Ronnie’s maritime woodcarvings, mural commissions and inspiring classes taught by both. Another artist in his own right, Paul Miskovsky of Miskovsky Landscaping has been making Cape Cod landscapes lush and innovative for decades. Miskovsky and the Reasonovers are good friends so it is not uncommon to find their art contributing to Miskovsky’s palette. At Mimi’s Art Gallery and Studio, everyone can enjoy locally Cape-inspired oil paintings ranging from wall-sized work to Mimi’s Minis (original small work priced under $50).

Romantics
by Julia O’Malley-Keyes, O’Malley-Keyes Fine Art/Cape Cod Art Gallery, 26″ x 45″

The accessibility of individual virtual galleries offer opportunities for individual artists to shine, and since it is an online experience, the hours are up to the viewer. Aleta Rossi Steward, specializing in flowers and bird paintings, has delighted ornithologists and amateur art lovers alike while creating in a cozy studio that includes a nod to her father, a world-renowned violin maker. Faith Lund, a talented artist and faculty curator of Westfield State University’s Arno Maris Gallery, finds colorful inspiration for her striking Cape Cod Estuary series from the sights and sounds of Mashpee’s South Cape Beach. Jo Ann Ritter, a more traditional plein-air painter, is driven by a love of color and mixing representational art with impressionistic styles. And Joseph Cibula, renowned for his photo realistic oil renderings of decoys, will have you wondering if it really is a painting at all!

Beyond the Frame

Throughout the Cape, the art of framing is more than just mats and mounts. Ron Lindhom and his family of museum-quality conservators run Cape Cod Picture Framing and Restoration in Dennis, where paintings, papers and even murals are saved from the ravishes of age, natural disasters, fire or flood. When visiting, be sure to ask about the 400+ damaged paintings that arrived in a semi-trailer from New York City! Another 50 year-old family-owned business lies in the heart of Hyannis at the Marjon Print and Frame Shop where custom framing, restoration services and a gallery brimming with local art make it a one-stop-shop destination. 

Mashpee makes it easy to love matting, mounting, and more. At the newly opened Great Water Gallery in Mashpee Commons, David Riina and Abe Pieciak combine their love of fishing with marine and nature-inspired art and gifts as well as providing full onsite print production services and handcrafting reclaimed wood frames. Across the street, Amy Rice and her knowledgeable team provide more than just an artful eye at Woodruff’s Art Center, with monthly gallery exhibits, creative gifts by local artists and art supplies for both professionals and amateurs. If you are looking for choice, creativity, and collaborative consultation, don’t miss J. Miller Pictureframer & Gallery in Deer Crossing and John’s 4,000 framing samples. 

Sue Dahling Sullivan