The Saline Reporter
A Heritage Newspaper
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Art Gallery featuring two local artists
Artists' reception set 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at art gallery in Saline
By Sue G. Collins, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: May 17, 2007
It's all about the brush and canvas this month and next at Two Twelve Arts Center in Saline, where the works of two local artists are exhibited throughout the historic gallery, celebrating its first anniversary of creative collaboration and arts education in the Saline area.
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Jean Canavan and Bob Palmerton are the artists in residence at the gallery, located at 212 W. Michigan Ave., where their watercolors and pastels hang, respectively, through the five-plus rooms where they also teach classes, sharing their talent and love of painting with students of all ages.
Canavan finds her inspiration for her watercolors through her family and their travels, and has been painting since she was young. While largely self-taught, she has had the opportunity to study the fine arts at various universities throughout the country as she and husband Pat and their four children, Michael, Katie, Meghan and Patrick, moved from place to place.
Canavan, a resident of Saline, works with a warm palette and chooses her subject matter to explore her belief that there is light, hope and beauty in everyday moments.
"I have always been passionate about my art, beginning with transparent watercolor," she said. "I love the transparency and ability to express texture and light."
Canavan most recently worked as an illustrator. Shoppers in downtown Saline have enjoyed her work on the windows of shops and restaurants during the holidays. She paints the festive scenes with her friend Gaines Collins. Together, they also created an amazing doghouse honoring Saline's historic train depot for last year's Saline Katrina Relief auction
Canavan teaches classes in watercolor painting, creating painted floor coverings, and felted boxes and mosiacs at the arts center.
"I feel art is a journey and I am loving the ride," she said.
Palmerton is equally as passionate about his art, a relaxing-yet-challenging expression of his appreciation for the countryside and parks he explores with his family.
Painting mostly landscapes with soft pastels, his favorite scenes include farm and woodlands throughout Southeast Michigan, the beaches of his native New York, and the mountains, rocks and streams found while hiking in the national parks.
"I hope the beauty and drama of the landscape can inspire each of us to embrace the outdoors and to enjoy the continuous learning and small surprises that nature presents," the artist said.
He feels the medium of soft pastels allows him to express a breadth of color, value and level of intensity on textured or sanded paper, and appreciates the portability of pastels.
Palmerton's paintings are started on site or from digital photographs and are usually completed in his Saline studio. While he explored painting with oils as a teen, he only recently picked up the brush again and paints whenever he can. He is currently chief financial officer for Online Technologies in Ann Arbor and is teaching his third series of pastel classes at 212 Arts Center.
Palmerton's and Canavan's work will be exhibited through June, and an artists' reception will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the gallery.
Both artists also have donated works to the Circle of Art auction, which will be held noon to 5 p.m. May 20 at Saline Picture Frame. Visit www.salinepictureframe.com for details.
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