Roush Family Gallery Presents "Drawings" by Janice M. Pittsley

The Roush Family Gallery of the Carrollton Cultural Arts Center presents “Drawings” by Janice M. Pittsley, Professor/School of Art, Arizona State University, Foundation Drawing Coordinator. Her work combines a variety of traditional drawing materials: graphite, charcoal, pastels, colored pencil, and erasers. She says her intention is to use their diverse physical qualities to create a harmonious and engaging material presence. The processes and the materials she uses reflect visual contrasts: the hard edge achieved with sharpened pencil combined with the blurred edge of pastel, the opacity of many layers with the transparency of one, the somber palette of charcoal with the pure pigment of pastel combine allowing representation and abstraction meet.

Ms. Pittsley says, “My drawings are developed from a variety of sources and interests. For the past nineteen years I have lived in the desert Southwest. The vast spaces and elegant simplicity of the desert landscape have influenced the vocabulary of form and space in my drawings. Ongoing study of traditional Eastern art and culture continue to be important influences. In particular, Eastern perspectives on nature, landscape, space, and beauty have expanded my visual vocabulary and conceptual realm.”

The Galleria will host the Carrollton Artist Guild’s spring exhibit “Monochromatic.” The intention of this display is to explore the possibilities of one color. Perfect for watercolors, the meaning of the title is to stretch the base color from pure, straight out of the tube pigment to the color of the surface. Imagine Red watercolor from the tube watered down until it becomes the paper only. From dark red to medium to light red, to pinks- the white paper beginning to show through, to tinted shades until it becomes just the white of the paper. Black and white photography is another prime example, charcoal sketches, or pencil drawings are monochromatic, simply one on one. The simplicity of “the one” leaves room for imagination to seek its own interpretation.

The Guild will host a reception in the Galleria on Friday night, April 4th from five until seven p.m. The public is invited to come meet the artists and view their work.

Galleries are open Monday – Friday 9am-5pm, Saturday 10am-3pm and Sunday 1-4 p.m. For more information call the Carrollton Cultural Arts Center at 770-838-1083.