Banner artwork: Glory ( From the Exposed series) by Marcia Haffmans, acrylic on canvas, 18" x 24", 2008. Haffmans is one of several local artists with work on view at Altered Esthetics' Happy Holidaze exhbition. (This image was cropped and reprinted for access+ENGAGE with the artist's permission)
About her paintings, the artist writes:
Our natural and human environments provide endless variations of color to challenge our creativity. I paint to satisfy an inner need for self-expression and, perhaps, provide a means of connecting my daily living with the outer world. In my native country, the Netherlands, the contrast of light and form is striking and a source of inspiration. The push and pull of colors and shapes in my work is a visualization of the diversity of emotions. Each painting strives for its own equilibrium, translating into the balance of life. The possible variations of colors and shapes are infinite and can be overwhelming and stimulating at the same time. I am discovering that there may be order and reason to it, and, that as the artist, I am in control of the outcome. I enjoy working in series that represent different levels of organization to the endless variations of abstractions. In the Exposed series I am focusing mostly on colors, creating imaginary abstract landscapes with ample sky. In the Netherlands, there always seems to be more sky than land, which makes one feel appreciative of empty space. Each of the series I'm working on continues to evolve. The thrill of painting is the realization that I may never be done.
—Marcia Haffmans
You can see Marcia Haffmans work on view in the following exhibition spaces. Inquiries about specific pieces may be directed to the artist.
What: Happy Holidaze
Where: Altered Esthetics Gallery, Minneapolis
When: The exhibition runs through December 20
Admission is FREE and open to the public
Haffmans' work is also on view in the following venues:
Yellow Tree Theatre Gallery, Osseo, MN
Ngon Bistro, Saint Paul, MN
Cafe Bean, Minneapolis, through December
A Leap of Faith 4: Let Peace Reign, Susan Hensel Gallery and ArtSpace at Lake Nokomis Presbyterian Church, Minneapolis, through December
Twin Cities Green, Minneapolis
Adsoka Gallery, Minneapolis
Marx Fusion Bistro, Stillwater, MN
Dwelling Designs, the new Washington Avenue location in Minneapolis
Upcoming shows include:
Solo exhibition at Tease Salon & Gallery in St. Paul (January 2009)
Solo exhibition at 414 Soundbar, Minneapolis (February 2009)
CorAzoN (group show), Minneapolis (April–July 2009)