Internationally respected artists featured at Gallery 54
Oneonta, NY artist, painter Dave Kiehm is a BBC Wildlife Artist of the year and Hamilton, NY ceramic artist Leslie Green Guibault is one of only a few dozen artists throughout the United States permitted to use the Roycroft Artisan logo and she has one of her creations in the permanent collection of the Chengdu Ni Bang Ceramic Art Museum in China. Together they headline the August and September offering at Gallery 54, here.
Their show will open during the August First Friday, Aug. 2, from 5 to 8 p.m. and run through the month of September.
While both are obviously at the top of their game, they could not be more different in many ways. Dave began creating art at a “very young age,” he said, when after seeing painting while visiting museum, he thought “. . . the images were magical.” It would appear likely that his interest in painting began, however, with his thought as a youngster, “I can do that.” He said his “love of nature and animals and my agility to draw and capture their likeness encouraged me to pursue wildlife art.”
Guilbault, on the other hand, didn’t begin creating art until just a few years ago, after resigning from a job she didn’t enjoy. This was when she “. . . made time” to teach herself how to carve bones. “I’m still not sure why I needed to carve that first bone,” she wrote recently, adding, “After about six months I wondered what carving clay would feel like, so I started throwing posts on the wheel and carving them, too.”
Kiehm notes, “I like to paint what and how I see. My work is fairly literal because I want to capture texture and color. Guibault was attracted to her art because of the meditative nature of freehand carving of the designs she creates. “The pieces are different every time,” she says, “so I never get bored. There’s always something new to learn.”
The work Guibault will show at Gallery 54 is wheel-thrown porcelain that is freehand carved and finished in a variety of food-safe metallic glazes. She notes that she “loves experimenting in her studio.”When I find a style or technique that makes my heart sing, I create a new collection to feature it.”
She currently has 14 distinct lines of ceramic art, bone carvings, and jewelry. Self-taught, Guibault believes different aspects of her personality shine through these collections.
Kiehm will show both oil and watercolor painting in the galley.
The collection, he said, will feature examples of work he’s been creating for many years. Asked what makes his work special, he deferred.
“I think people have to determine if my work is special or not,” he said. “I try to make every painting as good as possible and push myself relentlessly. Hopefully, that makes for solid paintings.”
In addition to recognition as the BBC Wildlife Artist of the Year, Kiehm work has been recognized with the Cooperstown National Award, and the Society of Animal Artists Award. His work is shown internationally and throughout the USA including pieces in museums in Sedona, AZ, New Paltz, NY, the Fenimore Art Museum in Cooperstown, NY and the Munson Williams Proctor Institute in Utica, NY.
Guibault is no stranger to awards.
Her work has been recognized by nearly a dozen show ribbons, two best of show and three first place in Ceramic Art.
In addition, her work is represented in the Bluu Art Gallery in Carson City, NV, the Schoolhouse Gallery in East Aurora, NY as well as retail outlets in ten states.
During Aug. 2 opening for this joint show, harpist Chris Molloy will entertain with his blue harp. Wine and light refreshments will be served.
Gallery 54, an upscale artist owned gallery featuring the work of dozens of Central and Upstate New York artists will be celebrating its 10th anniversary in September, so stay tuned for details about the celebration.
