From January 13 to February 7, 2023, the Masterworks Museum showcased Chasing the Light, featuring works by Eli Cedrone in the Rick Faries Gallery. The exhibit ran until February 7, 2023.
Eli Cedrone is a graduate of the School of Art & Design at Suffolk University, Boston. In the summer of 1983 she studied in Florence, Italy which provided an Academic foundation (meaning, a style of painting and sculpture produced under the influence of European academies of art). Cedrone also attended the Museum of Fine Arts School and the Academy of Figurative Art Boston. An enormous influence on her work began with an introduction to the Alla Prima method of painting with Richard Schmid, who is considered one of the greatest American realist painters.
Chasing the Light showcases the beauty and skill of Cedrone’s ‘Plein Air’ painting. Of her commitment and passion for painting ‘en plein air’, she explains -
“When I paint, all of my senses are involved but learning to “see” is a skill one must develop. Painting en plein air (a French term meaning "in open air") requires stamina and discipline. It forces us to leave the comfort of the studio and to observe the natural world first hand. For me the grand tradition of painting outdoors began with my exposure to the art colonies of Provincetown and Cape Ann, MA. The immediacy of painting from nature is inspiring but the idea must be firmly planted in my mind. I often write down what the painting is about and make small, value studies (the breaking down of subject matter into a series of different tones). More complex ideas require a lot of sketches and evolve over time. My idea is based on the vision of what’s before me or the mood I’m trying to create. The flow of light through a room, abstract shapes, texture, and paint handling all come into play. Painting is a process of discovery and decision making where disparate elements pull together until the image is clearly expressed.”
From vivid seascapes to studies of fishermen at work, and familiar feeling backyards, the works in this exhibition bring a sense of ease and comfort, while capturing the beauty found across the island. A spokesperson for the Museum explained, “Eli’s work is a vibrant start to the 2023 series of exhibitions in the Rick Faries Gallery. She has captured many familiar viewpoints, and familiar places, that I think we all share varied memories within. This show is a great reminder of the joy of living on the island, often found in the environment around us.”
Chasing the Light opens on Thursday December 1, 2022, from 5:30 to 7pm, and will be on view until February 7, 2023. The Masterworks Museum is open Monday through Saturday, 10 am – 4 pm.
Artist Statement:
"I've always been influenced by the power of images to express ideas and emotions. Painting is a process of discovery and decision making where disparate elements pull together until the image is clearly expressed. Ultimately my concerns are with the expressive qualities of light captured with paint. My goal as a painter is descriptive precision, balanced with an immediacy of expression.
Bermuda captured my heart the moment I flew over her azure waters in the early 1970’s and has held me in a magical embrace ever since. I believe that when you act from passion and follow your bliss, providence steps in. After countless adventures and living everywhere from California to Cannes, I was invited to be Artist in Residence at Masterworks Museum of Art Bermuda. The residency allowed me to paint uninterrupted for three months, and in so doing, I discovered continuity. To paint every day without distraction and to revisit the same scene, made a big difference in my process.
Bermuda offers a rich visual history… stunningly beautiful, so colorful and full of texture. To be surrounded by the sea has been a big factor in my choice of subject matter, but I think that as artists, we’re meant to be astute documentarians of the world around us. The depiction of an everyday moment in time is very appealing to me. Inspiration can be found everywhere if you know how to see.
Historically Bermuda has been a popular plein air destination. During the 19th century, the traditions of the English landscape painters. John Constable, with his lush and evocative landscapes, became the model for many. Later, internationally known artists such as Winslow Homer, Andrew Wyeth, Charles Demuth, Marsden Hartley, Charles Hawthorne and Ogden Pleissner, all painted Bermudian scenes. I’m honored to be a part of this enduring tradition."
Press:
https://bernews.com/2023/01/opening-chasing-light-january-13/
https://www.royalgazette.com/entertainment/news/article/20230210/inspired-by-bermudas-light/