'Just Add Water' this fall at BAYarts
Both Sharon Pomales and Robert Hartshorn have both always resided near a body of water, and it is this affinity that drew them toward a realism-based gallery exhibition called "Just Add Water."
These award-winning artists, who both currently live in Cleveland, will be bringing underwater scenes of mermaids and sea life, along with lakes, waterfalls, aquariums and more to the Sullivan Family Gallery starting Oct. 11. The mediums in use will be acrylic and oil paints as well as watercolor and pastels. They will all be in a representational style of art, with hyper-realistic details that the artists are renowned for.
Both artists are concerned with the status of the world's waters and convey that in their artwork.
Pomales was inspired by a place in California for one of her most expansive pieces. "One of my favorites is a very large piece, it’s an oil on panel 70 by 48 inches," she explains. "The title is 'Predators, and a tank full of sharks,' the setting is the Open Sea tank at the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California but the main characters, the sharks, were 'placed' there from other sketches. This painting comments on the threat humans represent to marine life; in this case, sharks. Even though 'finning' is illegal in the U.S., the slaughter of thousands of sharks for their fins is still practiced in Asia."
The exhibition has the support of the Just Add Water, a dive center and shop with a location in Fairview Park. They will be providing bartenders for the opening, as well as playful sea props.
Hartshorn was actually a scuba dive boat operator in Key Largo, Florida, at one point in his life. Activities he enjoys include windsurfing, sailing and swimming. Along with his living near Lake Erie now, his parents, four brothers and his sister all live within miles of a body of water.
A special piece he will have in the exhibition features a mermaid, aptly titled "The Mermaid." He's been painting it for 10 years but says he will finally have it ready for this particular exhibition at BAYarts.
The opening reception is Friday, Oct. 11, from 7-9 p.m. The exhibition will be on display 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Monday-Saturday (or by appointment) through Nov. 8.
Jessica Stockdale
Jessica Stockdale is the Marketing Manager at BAYarts.
BAYarts is a cultural arts campus that features education, exhibition and events.