Show Preview | Giacobbe-Fritz Fine Art: Small Works

Santa Fe, NM, December 14-31

Britt Freda, Drink This It Will Make You Feel Better, acrylic/graphite, 12 x 24.

This story was featured in the December 2012 issue of Southwest Art magazine. Order the Southwest Art magazine December 2012 print edition here, or purchase the Southwest Art magazine December 2012 digital download here. Or simply subscribe to Southwest Art magazine and never miss a story!

This December, Giacobbe-Fritz Fine  Art presents its annual Small Works show, featuring up to 25 new works sized about 20 by 20 inches or smaller. “It’s a great way to get small works to our clients at the holiday time,” says director Palin Wiltshire. Small works are often purchased for gifts this time of year, and many collectors find them to be an easy addition to their collection. “We have many repeat clients that are running out of space, but they can usually find room for a smaller piece,” Wiltshire says.

Craig Kosak, The Quest, oil, 12 x 12.

The Show opens with a reception on Friday, December 14, from 3 to 5 p.m. Many of the gallery’s 20 artists are participating, including Britt Freda, who creates acrylic and mixed-media works on panel. Freda has six new pieces in the show, all of which she describes as “ponderings on the alchemy of happiness, wellness, and love.” The artist’s current works often feature a combination of wild and natural elements, such as bees, butterflies, and flowers. “These are my musings on what it means to be human,” Freda explains. “Inspiration always comes from my life—my struggles, heartaches, fears, and the awareness of the simple things that make all of those things wondrously dissolve.”

Participating artist Craig Kosak is primarily known for his recent series of animal paintings inspired by myth and legend. These works feature four different creatures: ravens, horses, wolves, and bison. He is often inspired by the wildlife and landscapes in places like Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks. While his work is grounded in realism, his use of strong graphic composition, bold colors, and abstract elements evokes a sense of deeper meaning and emotional significance. “Some of my subjects are very traditional, so I feel the need to include expressive elements as well,” Kosak says. The artist typically paints on a much larger scale but has created six new small works just for this show.

Wendy Chidester, Underwood No. 3, oil, 16 x 16.

Another participating artist who rarely creates small works is Wendy Chidester. “I usually work on a larger scale—seven to eight times the size of the pieces I have for this show,” she says. Chidester paints nostalgic works of “lost and forgotten” objects, such as stereoscopic cameras, vintage luggage, adding machines, mimeograph machines, movie projectors, and—her favorite—typewriters. “For this show I’m painting typewriters from my personal collection,” Chidester says. “Each one has a different look and personality, and I’ve painted them front and center, making them icons on the canvas.”

Chidester is especially excited about this show. “There’s something charming about viewing a small-works show. Each painting invites the viewer to come close to get a better look, which makes for a pretty intimate experience,” she says, adding emphatically, “This promises to be worth coming out in the cold winter air for!” —Lindsay Mitchell

contact information
505.986.1156
www.giacobbefritz.com

Featured in the December 2012 issue of Southwest Art magazine–click below to purchase:
Southwest Art magazine December 2012 digital download
Southwest Art magazine December 2012 print edition
Or subscribe to Southwest Art magazine and never miss a story!