Amalia FourHawks: Native American Art ~ Cheri Cross: Scratchboard ~ Ellen Koteen: Photography
Date/Time
Location
Hosmer Gallery at Forbes Library (20 West St, Northampton MA)
Amalia FourHawks; Always Evolving, draws on her Native American background for inspiration with her work. The colors and patterns of her work come from historic beadwork, pottery and weaving designs from a multitude of Native nations.
However, as an educator and public speaker, one of her main motivations is keeping Native cultural art present, modern and evolving, just as Native people are doing. She utilizes a variety of mediums, some that would be called “traditional” for Native art such as deerskin, “seed” beads and bone, and some that are new and modern mediums that were not available historically; faceted, sparkling resins, rhinestones, dichroic glass and fire-polished beads.
Cheri Cross
“Luminous” is a collection of scratchboard illustrations created by Cheri Cross. Scratchboard is a form of direct engraving where the artist uses a sharp knife to scratch off dark ink to reveal a white or colored layer beneath. Cheri uses a Japanese surgical scalpel to cut small lines and marks into the scratchboard surface so that her subjects literally “shine through” the black background.
Cheri lives in Northampton and has been creating scratchboard illustrations since 2019, after being inspired by children’s book illustrator Claudia McGehee. This is Cheri’s first gallery show.
Ellen Koteen
However, as an educator and public speaker, one of her main motivations is keeping Native cultural art present, modern and evolving, just as Native people are doing. She utilizes a variety of mediums, some that would be called “traditional” for Native art such as deerskin, “seed” beads and bone, and some that are new and modern mediums that were not available historically; faceted, sparkling resins, rhinestones, dichroic glass and fire-polished beads.
Cheri Cross
“Luminous” is a collection of scratchboard illustrations created by Cheri Cross. Scratchboard is a form of direct engraving where the artist uses a sharp knife to scratch off dark ink to reveal a white or colored layer beneath. Cheri uses a Japanese surgical scalpel to cut small lines and marks into the scratchboard surface so that her subjects literally “shine through” the black background.
Cheri lives in Northampton and has been creating scratchboard illustrations since 2019, after being inspired by children’s book illustrator Claudia McGehee. This is Cheri’s first gallery show.
Ellen Koteen
Artist statement
During the process of photographing flowers, animals and landscapes, I experience joy and a sense of peace. Capturing their natural beauty in a photograph allows me to hold on to that joy and to share it with others. I delight in and am inspired by the detail, design and colors contained within nature. Photography has taught me to see light, shadows and nuances with a more vivid appreciation.
During the process of photographing flowers, animals and landscapes, I experience joy and a sense of peace. Capturing their natural beauty in a photograph allows me to hold on to that joy and to share it with others. I delight in and am inspired by the detail, design and colors contained within nature. Photography has taught me to see light, shadows and nuances with a more vivid appreciation.