Paintings from the Brooks Range and Valdez will be exhibited at the UAF Art Gallery. The exhibit runs from Oct. 11-15 with an opening reception on Oct. 11 at 6 p.m. The show consists of approximately 30 paintings, sketches and watercolor studies done on location. The show is the result of two Summer Session classes in cooperation with the Art Department and The Outdoor Adventure Program.

Landscape painter David Rosenthal of Cordoba was the instructor for the Valdez trip. The northern painting session, which took place in the Brooks Range, was taught by Assistant Professor of Drawing, David Mollett.

"It was a good experience for the students to paint outside," Mollett said.  "The Brooks Range is a great place for painting the landscape. It offers a spectacular setting with no trees to block the view, allowing the students to paint the distance."

Anne Aleshire was one of the few students that attended both trips. Her painting "Glacier" captures the beautiful and mysterious blue/green glow that emanates from within the powerful glacier. The icy glacier is framed on both sides by jagged black and gray rocks and mountains.

"This painting was actually done in the studio," Aleshire said. "We spent the entire first day at the glacier working on numerous sketches and water color studies."  The remainder of the trip was spent in the studio working from the sketches. Anne said, "Working from studies gave me time to process and plan the painting from beginning to end."  This was the method of instruction offered by David Rosenthal.

Mollett's approach to landscape painting in the Brooks Range was quite different. Every day the students would spread out with easels and supplies and paint from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

"I did nothing but paint all day long," said Aleshire. 

"Red Mountain" is painted on a small canvas but there is nothing small about the subject. The rich warm red of the mountain is complemented by the soft streaky blue sky. In the foreground meanders a thin aqua river. The red/orange of the mountain and the blue/green of the river make the painting come alive.

Stephanie Simpson's three canvases are painted in a rough, choppy style, reminiscent of Paul Cezanne. One vertical painting's central image of a lavender mountain is contrasted by the varying shades of green and blue in the foreground. The mountain's strong presence confronts the viewer. The two horizontal paintings do not work quite as well. The mountains, hills, and grass blend together and have less contrast.

Ben Moore's paintings on wood panels are subtle, using gray tones and earthy browns; the colors are muted. The rocks in the foreground lead the viewer into the painting, creating a depth of field. These rocks are very inviting and it feels as if one could sit there and take in the scene. It would be nice, however, to have a touch more detail and something more eye catching. 

Many more paintings will be on display in the UAF Art Gallery.  More information on the Brooks Range and Valdez trips can be found at www.uaf.edu/news/featured/04/art295

"Glacier" by Anne Aleshire. This is one of the works to be displayed in the UAF Art Gallery Oct. 11-15. The exhibit will showcase works done by students while on trips to Valdez and the Brooks Range during the summer.
photo by Akanit Nakoneczny 

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