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The University of Maine at Fort Kent Blake Library Gallery is featuring Compositions and Constructs in Drawing and Painting, the works of students in Thérèse L. Provenzano's Art 430: Drawing and Painting class from the 2016 spring semester. The exhibition will be on display through May 16.

The main objective of Art 430: Drawing and Painting is to introduce students to drawing and painting techniques through an understanding of line, form, and proportion. The class drew and painted utilizing material application, basic color theory, observing reality and exploring their imagination. Materials were selected based on preference and the capabilities of combining wet and dry media.

Provenzano said, “The exhibition represents the first and second assignments of the three that were given to complete the objectives of the course. The first assignment focused on observation by composing color harmonies from a still life set up of objects and cloth. The second assignment focused on imagination and observation of the planes of a head when interpreting the theme of this year's UMFK's 7th annual Scholars' Symposium, Coloring Outside of the Lines. Drawing served to explore value and composition that would later lead into constructing a painting. The alternative approach is for drawing to serve as an intended, highly visible construct within a painting. 

The students represented in the exhibition are: Samantha Beaulieu, Joshua Birden, Kristen Champagne, Kristina DeVincentis, Michelle Delgadillo, Elizabeth Farr, Elijah Lienhardt, Kristopher Michaud, and Desi Peddle.

Kristen Champagne shared, “Last semester marked the completion of my Art Minor. However, I was not willing to give up this experience. Despite the fact that my schedule would be more open to address my Nursing courses, I chose to give up the extra time to continue on my journey as an artist. As the semester comes near to completion, I have no regrets having chosen this path.”

Kristina DeVincentis said, “Once I successfully made a gray, for the statue, with the complementary colors of blue and orange, I began to feel more comfortable with the watercolor medium. Another challenge I faced in making project one this semester was representing the proper proportions. Because the composition was a busy one, it was important to look at not just the height and width of the individual objects but the negative shape between them. The more I drew, the more I noticed the negative shapes and was able to adjust as needed. In the end, I think I ended up with a piece that reads as a unified whole.”

Desirae Peddle expressed, “Art is the world where all your wildest thoughts and dreams are brought to life. It is all about proving to yourself that your fears are the best thing you have going for you, because you are forced to overcome them and expand yourself as an artist.”

Elijah Lienhardt said, “Seeing my colleagues' individual artistic perspectives all combined within the same four walls pushes the artist within me to unintentionally learn more about the subjects of drawing and painting. “

Joshua Birden commented, “Project Two, my symposium drawing, is still ongoing and I am funnily enough, enjoying it. It's been nice to create different pieces and trying to improve on the one before.”

Interconnectivity, a watercolor painting by Kristina DeVincentis is one of the artworks on display in the exhibition. It was awarded Most Artistic at the symposium. 

Visitors may view the exhibition during regular library hours. For more information, please contact Gallery Curator Sofia Birden at (207) 834-7527.

For information about taking Art 454: Painting the Maine Landscape, offered for the 2016 fall semester, please contact Thérèse L. Provenzano at (207) 231-4593.