Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Masters of the Southern Landscape Exhibit – Ponte Vedra, Florida

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Stellers Gallery at Ponte Vedra to feature renowned Florida oil painters
Henry Von Genk, III and Peter Pettegrew
-Masters of the Southern Landscape exhibit to open on May 21, 2010

Moving toward completion by Peter Pettegrew

The opening of the exhibit Masters of the Southern Landscape will be held on Friday, May 21 from 5 pm. until 8 pm at Stellers Gallery at Ponte Vedra, 240 A1A North, Ste. 13 in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL.  According to gallery owner Hillary R. Tuttle, as part of the exhibit Von Genk and Pettegrew will act on an idea that they have discussed for years. They will be collaborating on two paintings. Each will start a painting and then leave it to the other to complete. The two artists are friends and contemporaries who have a deep respect for each other’s talent and they are very inspired to be combining their distinctive styles to create a truly unique piece of art.

Von Genk’s magnificent landscape work has been displayed at galleries, museums and commercial mural installations worldwide, yet he resides and works in northeast Florida. Von Genk’s work is widely collected and respected in the oil painting field and offers the viewer a unique and visionary interpretation of our natural world.

Pettegrew’s captivating and impressionistic paintings are also highly collected and feature landscapes painted by the artist who is a naturalist and outdoorsman. Pettegrew works and resides in central Florida.

Stellers Gallery at Ponte Vedra has displayed the works of Von Genk and Pettegrew since 2002. “We are very excited to feature Henry and Peter together and appreciate their relationship as long-time friends and professionals in the fine art world. We are honored to host them on May 21,” said Tuttle.

Von Genk is a self-taught artist who has mastered a realistic style true to his Dutch heritage. Capturing the ocean and the salt marshes of Florida, his work can be “felt” due to his “real as life” paintings. His extraordinary detail and use of shadowing and glazing techniques brings richness and depth that captures life’s subtle nuances and brings his paintings to life. Von Genk’s artistic abilities became apparent at the two years of age. His mother recognized his abilities and inspired her son to developing himself as an artist. At the age of 30, Von Genk mastered his signature, realistic style and his unique techniques in shadowing and realism. After a long and successful career executing murals for museums and clients around the world, he focuses on his life long destiny of fine art.

Von Genk’s love for the tropics and the ocean shines through his work, which centers on the beauty and nature of our earth from the jungles of Costa Rica, to the salt marshes of Florida, and the Caribbean Sea. Von Genk has had many one-man exhibits and has donated paintings for select charity fundraisers. His works are owned by private collectors across the country as well as internationally and include many well known celebrities and major corporations.

Peter Pettegrew is an artist who has devoted his life to capturing the timeless beauty of the natural world on canvas. His spent his early years living in Monterey Bay, California and it was here that his compelling encounters with the natural beauty of the region inspired his first sketches. Recognizing his talent, Peter’s aunt, who is an artist, insisted that he only be given blank paper, no coloring books. As a result, his childhood sketches symbolized the sights and sensations of the ocean landscapes near his home. It wasn’t long before more serious efforts resulted as he turned his focus toward painting.

Peter’s formal art education began when he qualified for admission into Harbor High School, a prestigious and progressive school in Santa Cruz, California dedicated to advancing the development of artistic skills and creative freedom. This was his first introduction into printmaking, as well as an opportunity to study drawing and painting with the school’s gifted and highly dedicated faculty.

In 1980, Peter moved to Florida where he went on to attend The Art Institute. Here he continued to develop his drawing skills by working from the live model and furthered his study of the graphic art techniques which he now employs in his work with hand-pulled serigraphs and stone lithography. In each year that followed, he has furthered his study in individual mediums through private art workshops including oil painting, watercolor and charcoal drawing with respected artists including Florida Highwayman, Sam Newton.

Peter Pettegrew has developed a captivation impressionistic style using delicate tones, subtle luminous lighting and savory blends of color, which have resulted in distinctive paintings for his collectors, and he continues to search out his timeless compositions. The need to completely lose himself in his subject matter is the primary focus that nurtures his inspiration, which he pours into each canvas that he paints. Peter is also inspired by his diverse travels, but he spends a great deal of time exploring Florida’s waterways and marshlands. It is here that he finds the conditions he most loves to express on canvas.

Peter Pettegrew is represented by prestigious galleries throughout the Southeast as well as in California. His paintings have been included in numerous museum exhibitions and can be found in permanent museum collections such as the Polasek Museum in Winter Park. He continues to act on his commitment to promote, protect and preserve the environment through his paintings which are a direct expression of the natural world.

Stellers Gallery at Ponte Vedra is open from Monday through Friday from 11 am until 6 pm and Saturday from 11 am until 4 pm. Phone number is 904.273.6065.

For more information, contact the gallery at 904.273.6065. Visit the website at www.stellersgallery.com.

Low Country Splendor by Henry Von Genk III

Sheep to Shawl Demonstration at S.P.A.C.E Gallery, Savannah, GA

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Members of the Fiber Guild of the Savannahs will present works by their members, including spinning, weaving, knitting, crochet, basketry quilting, dyeing and jewelry in their annual exhibition at Gallery S.P.A.C.E., Apr. 5 – Apr. 30. An artist reception and ‘sheep to shawl’ demonstration will be held Apr. 9 from 4-7 p.m.

Nel Adams at Gallery S.P.A.C.E in Savannah, GA
Nel Adams, Feather & Fan Cowl, Hand spun wool/handknit at Gallery S.P.A.C.E

Wool recently shorn from the sheep at Oatland Island Wildlife Center will be used by Guild members during a modified ‘Sheep to Shawl’ demonstration at the opening reception. The handspun yarn will be used in weaving, knitting and crocheting demonstrations. Reception attendees will have the opportunity to test the spinning wheels, floor looms and drop spindles.

Guild members will also be conducting lunch time demonstrations on Wednesdays throughout the month of April from 11am to 1pm. On April 14th spinners will demonstrate how to create handspun yarn using spinning wheels and drop spindles. On April 21st weavers will demonstrate weaving on a floor loom and more affordable frame and cardboard looms. On April 28th guild members will be demonstrate the fiber crafts of knitting, crocheting, and beading.

The exhibition, reception and lunch demonstrations are free and open to the public. S.P.A.C.E. is located at 9 W. Henry St. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free off-street parking is available. For information, contact 912-651-6783 or visit www.savannahga.gov/arts.

Comics Expo in Savannah, Georgia

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The Savannah College of Art and Design sequential art department will host a Mini-Comics Expo upstairs at The Pirates’ House, 20 East Broad St., Savannah, Ga., Friday, Feb. 26, 11 a.m.- 4 p.m.

Close to 40 vendors—students, alumni and faculty of the acclaimed SCAD sequential art department will be on site to exhibit and sell their self-published mini-comics and zines.

This event celebrates hand-made comic books and Do-It-Yourself publishing. Other department-related publications and student anthologies will also be available.


There will also be a series of fun demonstrations led by faculty and graduate students, including drawing comics and creating and binding comic books, open to children and adults alike.

The expo and all workshops are free and open to the public.
Mini-comics expo Savannah

Southeastern Wildlife Exposition 2010

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Every year in February, the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition takes over Charleston. This year SEWE is returning for its 28th year. It is the largest wildlife art and nature event in the nation, so this is an event you don’t want to miss.

The Southeastern Wildlife Exposition is traditionally held in the weekend before President’s Day. The popular event attracts over 35,000 attendees to Charleston, South Carolina. During the event attendees get the opportunity to enjoy world-class original art, a wide variety exhibits and presentations.

For more information, tickets and detailed schedule, visit www.sewe.com or call 843-723-1748.

Art Show during 2010 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance

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The Automotive Fine Arts Society will host its 15th annual art show during the 2010 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance on March 11-14, 2010, in Amelia Island, Fla. Mazda North America will once again sponsor the popular exhibit, which will showcase automotive subjects in a variety of mediums including oil, watercolors, acrylics, wood, gouache, pen and ink, clay and metal. The AFAS was established in 1983 and consists of the most celebrated automotive artists in the world.

Painting by Charlie Maher commemorating Stirling Moss and his victory at the Cuban Grand Prix 50 years ago.

“Each spring our members look forward to displaying at the Amelia Island Concours, which has become one of the true gems of automotive events worldwide,” said Ken Eberts, president of the AFAS. “Our artists, who are finishing their new pieces for the show, always seem to exhibit paintings that connect with the cars and people of Amelia Island. The event’s ability to celebrate both man and machine inspires us to do the same.”

Held at the magnificent Ritz-Carlton Hotel and The Golf Club of Amelia Island at Summer Beach, the Amelia Island Concours is among the most popular automotive events in the country. Celebrities, industry leaders, art collectors and automotive enthusiasts regularly attend the annual event and the AFAS exhibit.

Honoree of the Concours will be famed NASCAR champion, “The King” Richard Petty, while Mercedes-Benz will serve as the featured marque. The event will also commemorate the 40th anniversary of Porsche’s inaugural victory at the 24 Hours of Daytona and Le Mans, while showcasing several influential 917s. Sir Stirling Moss will also be on hand as the Concours celebrates the 50th Anniversary of his victory in the last Cuban Grand Prix. Several artists will display paintings and sculptures honoring these special guests.

“The AFAS always exhibits the best examples of art showcasing our honoree and historic racing moments,” noted Bill Warner, Amelia Island Concours Chairman. “The Amelia is about the celebration of our heroes and great moments in racing. The artists of the AFAS feel the same passion as the staff and volunteers of the Concours.”