During November in New Hampshire, any flower is a welcome sight, and the Seacoast Artist Association gallery has just what you need —two solo shows of artwork originating in the garden. In her “Step Into My Gardens,” longtime artist and teacher of watercolor painting, Doris Rice of North Hampton shows us how gardens bring us together, and Exeter artist Roberta Garrison uses her own preserved botanicals from her gardens in her bird creations in “The Botanical Collection.”
Gardens have been a colorful thread that runs through the watercolors of Doris Rice. She began her career as an illustrator during college in Philadelphia. It wasn’t until 1986 when she traveled to a workshop in Pacific Grove, Ca with the late Judi Wagner and Tony van Hasselt that she discovered her calling in plein air. “It came to me like a brook flowing,” Doris remembers. “I was immediately comfortable being outside in nature. I was told I had a gift, and I followed it.” Plein air was also amazingly fulfilling. “It separated me from my work as an illustrator which was about someone else’s vision. This was about my own. I look around and just breathe it in.”
Doris began teaching in 1988. Her first plein air trip was to Monhegan Island in Maine 32 years ago where she still teaches every July. This expanded to her ongoing worldwide workshops. Fellow artist and longtime friend Annick Bouvron-Gromek inspired Doris to travel to her home to paint flowers in Brittany, known for their stunning hydrangeas. “There I discovered lush florals by the sea.” Doris seeks out gardens whenever she travels. “They not only connect me to the other gardens I have visited, but I believe there is a universality to them that connects us all.”
Speaking about her show “The Botanical Collection,” Roberta Garrison says, “My life, as well as my art is ever evolving. When the pandemic first hit and we were in lock-down, I dedicated my time to expanding my gardens. Life in New England and its four seasons are so special to me. The cycles in weather and the constant change in what grows around us, inspired me to preserve botanicals. I am continuously collecting and pressing everything including flowers, leaves, and grasses. Even weeds can be interesting when pressed.
“As an Artist, I have loved challenging myself using different mediums. Somehow, while experimenting with my botanicals, my work evolved into focusing on birds. There is something about how their wings and feathers mimic organic movement. I am captivated by their natural grace, and stunning poses. Inspired by photographs, I recreate the birds using only pressed botanicals. My subjects have ranged from Herons, Eagles, Swans, Egrets, Hummingbirds, Ducks, to Exotic Birds.” Roberta has worked with a range of mediums including encaustics, oils, sculpting and now Pressed Botanicals.
Roberta attributes her life and education abroad to the diversity in her styles of art. Growing up in a Diplomatic family for Panama, she lived in Vienna, Paris and traveled extensively. She received her bachelor’s degree from both the University of California and the Design Institute of California. Seven years ago Roberta and her husband, Peter moved here from California. She is also a Certified Interior Designer/Architect.
The Seacoast Artist Association is in historic downtown Exeter at 130 Water Street and parking is free. The gallery is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. Both Body of Work shows run from November 2 through November 27. Meet these and more member artists at the their “Second Friday” reception on November 11, 5-7 p.m. The public is welcome, and refreshments will be served. The SAA celebrates “Second Friday Exeter” at three venues this month, their Water Street Gallery, as well as at the Exeter Inn and at their annual Awards Show at the Town Hall, reception noon-7 p.m. with awards given 4-5 p.m. Second Friday Exeter is a monthly town-wide celebration of community through art and culture. Visit the SAA as well as galleries Art Up Front Street, Exeter Fine Crafts, and now the Exeter Historical Society which is featuring an exhibit of portraits and photographs of Exeter residents, including those who have served in the military in honor of Veterans Day.