Eye Witness to Nature

~Three Artists Painting the Appalachians~

Deborah Squier • Mark Henry • John Mac Kah

Dec 1 – Jan. 6, 20017/18

                                                  "Shimmering" by Deborah Squier

                                                 "Hike in the Light" by Mark Henry

                       "The French Broad River, View from Olivette" by John Mac Kah

                                                  "River Island" by Deborah Squier

                  "A Morn's Cold" by Mark Henry                 

                                                  "Connely Ridge" by John Mac Kah

For the month of December Ambleside Gallery presents the works of three artists: Deborah Squier, Mark Henry and John Mac Kah, all dedicated to painting the Appalachian region that is their home. These artists collectively have spent over 60 years painting the rich and diverse terrain of the Southern Appalachians, along with the rivers, flora and fauna of these ancient mountains.  Day by day invasive development threatens to overwhelm and disrupt this ecosystem which is among the oldest in the world. For these artists there is little time to waste in arousing the awareness level necessary to preserve and protect this invaluable habitat for generations to come.

Deborah Squier describes her work as contemplative landscape and seeks to build connection between the viewer of her art and the natural world. Her paintings take you to the heart of connection with intimacy and directness.

Mark Henry describes his paintings as timeless with a focus on atmosphere and the poetic. He is attentive to the nuance of light at each moment in time with heart, mind and soul. All of his works are set in frames handcrafted by him to compliment the artwork.

John Mac Kah approaches his work as a Luminist letting the detail, light and atmosphere carry the viewer through his paintings in a truthful and seamless manner. He is a student and follower of the Hudson River School and founder of the Saints of Paint, a group dedicated to art and activism.

To summarize: “The works in this show demonstrate a coherency with the unity of all sentient beings as one organism in the tapestry of life. Its purpose is to serve and illuminate, with gratitude, the artists connection to the landscape as witnessed through the human eye, heart and hand. It is toward this end that we dedicate our abilities with humility and devotion.”

Deborah Squier