Local artist exhibits original plein air oil paintings at Bank of the Arts
317 Middle St, New Bern NC
August 5th – August 31st 2016
This August the Craven Arts Council and Gallery is proud to exhibit the work of Eileen Wroe in the Director’s Gallery at Bank of the Arts. Wroe’s work focuses on the natural world, painted “plein air” in oils. The exhibit will be open August 5th to the 30th, with a reception August 12th, 5pm to 8pm during the Downtown New Bern Artwalk.
Eileen says that for her “painting is like time-travel. I’m transformed to a different place. It’s quiet and I’m surrounded by brushes, paint and canvas.” Eileen paints in the plein air tradition, going to locations and painting them on the spot from life. Her use of oil paints with this technique lends itself to strong use of atmospheric perspective and impressionistic brush strokes, highlighting the play of light in the natural setting. The work gives immediate feedback as to the subject matter, but invites detailed study of textures and layers. Wroe herself says “when I observe my final painting, I wonder how it all happened.”
Wroe began painting after her retirement from a 20 year career in corporate meeting planning. Her first formal training came in watercolors during her ten years in Martha’s Vineyard, MA. After moving to New Hampshire she working in oils, under the guidences of Lois Griffel and Susan Sarback, followers of the American Impressionist Charles Hawthorne of the Cape Cod School of Art. Wroe moved to New Bern in 2011, and is a member of many professional artist organizations, including Coastal Carolina Plein Air Painters and being Vice President of the Twin Rivers Artist Association for the past two years. She maintains her current studio at Community Artist Will on Broad St in New Bern.
Jonathan Burger, Gallery and Marketing Director, Bank of the Arts