Fine Arts League of Cary Accepts Abstract Painting By Don Mertz For Spring Show

PRLog (Press Release) - Mar. 4, 2013 - (Cary, NC) -- A new abstract painting from North Carolina artist Don Mertz’s White Series has been accepted into the Fine Arts League of Cary’s (FALC) Annual Juried Show for members and non-members. The show’s Opening Reception will be held on Sunday, April 7, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Page-Walker Arts & History Center, 119 Ambassador Loop, Cary, NC.

The accepted painting, entitled “Snow On The Pond,” is a 36-inch by 36-inch mixed media on canvas piece. Like the other works in Mertz’s White Series, “Snow On The Pond” is square, predominately white, with glimpses of color and heavily textured.

“Using only white paint and creating textures sees, to me, the perfect combination: The simplicity of white meets the complexity of texture,” Mertz explained. “I begin by making curved gestural marks with oil pastels and graphite. I then apply a gel. Next I slather white paint on and apply additives, such as pumice or beads, to create areas of lathered peeks, smoothness and coarseness – like a birthday cake that fell into a sandbox.”

Mertz says he approaches all of his paintings “in a childlike manner, eager to capture the spontaneity, exuberance, and joy of discovered that go into a child’s artwork, yet guided by an adult sense of composition and color. I like to think of it as controlled chaos.”

Entries in this FALC show had to be original works of art, entirely the work of a single artist, executed within the last two years, and not previously exhibited in an FALC show. Open to strictly two-dimensional work, the maximum height and width dimensions had to be no more than 40 inches including the frame.

This year’s juror is Elaine D. Gustafson, Curator of Collections at the Weatherspoon Art Gallery at UNC-Greensboro. She made the selection of accepted work by reviewing digital images the artists’ submitted. She will also select first, second, and third prize winners at the opening reception.

The 2013 Fine Arts League of Cary’s Juried Show show will on display from March 28 to April 21. For more information on this and other FALC events, visit www.fineartsleagueofcary.org or email Show Coordinator Jillian Goldberg: jillian@goldbergnc.com.

Don Mertz is represented by ArtSource Fine Art Gallery in North Hills, Raleigh, NC, and by Joe Rowand Art Fine Art Services in Chapel Hill, NC. For more information: www.mertzart.com.

About Don Mertz:

Don Mertz is a North Carolina-based abstract artist who moved to Cary from New York City 12 years ago. Since then, his abstract paintings have been included in many solo- and group exhibitions throughout the Triangle region and sold to numerous art collectors. A former Marine and IBM branch manager, he attended the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and The Art Students League in New York City where he lived for 25 years. He is a member of the Visual Arts Exchange of Raleigh, the Fine Arts League of Cary and the Durham Art Guild.

Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/12091560/1