Mild Climate – Blaine Fontana and Amy Ruppel

Checking out Hi-Fructose, I found out about a new show opening this Saturday, Mild Climate. It’s a collaborative exhibition at Art Whino Gallery in Washington DC featuring a pair of Portland OR artists,  Blaine Fontana and Amy Ruppel. I enjoy collaborative work as I find that the interaction of different styles, approaches and themes often creates a richer dialogue within the work – and this is certainly true of Fontana & Ruppel’s work together.

As an aside, I really have to hand it to Art Whino Gallery for providing so much information! So many gallery sites just give you the names and dates and maybe a couple of press release thumbnails, and that’s it – and to find out any info on the artists you have to google up a frenzy and search all over for some decent images to get a look at what’s going on with the work. Art Whino Gallery has a TON of biographical info, detailed show info (even down to what kind of beer they are providing – PBR FTW), a good description of the intent behind the exhibition – they truly do this interwebs thing right.

In this collaborative series of paintings Blaine Fontana and Amy Ruppel find common ground in nature. Juxtaposing their two artistic styles, Fontana’s graphic approach with Ruppel’s realism, the Portland, OR artists create works that are unified in their references to the world around us. The earth tones typical of Fontana’s work and the depictions of animals in Ruppel’s, join to create a balance where the singular artist is no longer visible.  Through their combined multi media approach the two present these Seven pieces that at once portray their similarities while using contrasting elements that support and elevate the other’s work.  As well as the collaboration works there will also be individual pieces from each artist on exhibit.
– Art Whino Gallery

The show opens Saturday November 17th (tomorrow) at 8pm, and is on until December 17th. If you’re in the area, you should definitely check it out.