Shadows and Reflections: Paintings by Judeth Pekala Hawkins

Layered patterns, repeated shapes, and shadowed and mirrored reflections invite viewers on a serene journey through the visual puzzles created in oil on canvas by Judeth Pekala Hawkins.  “These brain teasers are concerned with the creation of, and reaction to, reflection and reiteration of the positive shapes and negative spaces of the final images and those in the under painting.”  In Judeth’s newest body of work, she builds on the figurative narratives of her earlier paintings and enhances them with imagery pulled from nature. Shadows and Reflections: Paintings by Judeth Pekala Hawkins is currently featured at Barnstone Gallery.  A reception with the artist is scheduled First Friday October 7th from 5 – 8pm. The show remains at Barnstone through November 25, 2011. Admission is free and open to the public. All art is available for sale.

Judeth Pekala Hawkins first began coloring and cutting things up as a child living near Detroit. After earning a BFA from the University of Michigan in 1973, she settled in Baltimore, Maryland and participated in several group and solo exhibitions.  Embracing motherhood in the 1980’s, she moved to Pennsylvania.  Images of these years were stored in her mind and heart until she returned to painting and exhibiting in 1991 when she could again devote her full attention to her studio work. 

In 2004, Judeth was selected by the PA Council for the Arts to participate in their Arts in Education program. Reluctant at first to leave her easel, she has grown to love and appreciate the experience of being an artist in residence. She finds contact with students and the adventure of creating together an enriching balance for the studio solitude. Growing ever more comfortable with uncertainty and observation, her paintings have become more responsive.  Rather than designing and then executing a piece, she starts with a bigger, less confined idea and watches as the images suggest a decision and simply follows that path.  The resulting work is multi-faceted with layers and depths of intimate interaction between subject, repetitive shapes and related ideas.

Barnstone Gallery represents contemporary American artists and their original works of art.  Offerings include oil and watercolor paintings, sculpture, glass, clay, wood and jewelry.  

Barnstone Gallery is currently developing and funding Barnstone Art for Kids, a not-for-profit art mentoring program.  Barnstone Art for Kids seek to help children cope with long-term challenges by cultivating productive and healthy interpersonal relationships using art as the primary medium of expression.  Please contact the gallery for information and participation.

Barnstone Gallery events are free and open to the public.

Gallery hours are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 12 – 6, Friday from 10 – 4 and for events.  All other hours are by appointment.

                                                                                        ###

(BACK)