Frances lives and works on a houseboat on the Hudson River in New York. She has been painting since 1974. After attending the Fashion Institute of Technology she worked in New York as a textile designer. Frances worked both as a free-lance artist and as a full-time print designer in a commercial studio. Frances is dedicated to representational art, forever classic and enduring. While embracing the influences of the past, Frances explores this timeless genre with a fresh commitment and passion. Each of these contemporary paintings offers new interpretations of human existence and the ever-evolving natural and man-made world around us. In this current series, objects in the foreground act as a stoplight, beyond which the viewer looks to see vast space within a tiny format. Employing watercolor medium, these intimate artworks are always visually accessible, technically proficient and of important artistic merit and accomplishment.?
The Skidder, 11 X 14 inches, graphite on paper, 2012 by Frances Gaffney
Biography
"?In the summers of 2010 and 2011, I traveled to the Adirondacks to search back-country roads for the legendary waterfalls that had drawn me here. I found the waterfalls and so much more; dreamlike blue mountains, songbirds calling at dawn, winding creeks lined with mossy boulders and vivid expanses of wildflowers - all this vibrant life under the shelter of those bright northern skies.
These drawings arose from my sketches and memories of that time in the Adirondacks. The beauty of that vast landscape is matched only by the hearts of the people who welcomed me here. I would like to thank them all along with Elise and Woody Widlund whose vision for the Tannery Pond Community Center allows artists the space to share their work. I'd also like to thank Paul LoGuercio and Diane Anda for welcoming me into their home, and to Hubert Gee who throughout the years has believed in me, allowing me to follow my heart and dreams and to draw and create."
Frances lives and works on a houseboat on the Hudson River in New York. She has been painting since 1974. After attending the Fashion Institute of Technology she worked in New York as a textile designer. Frances worked both as a free-lance artist and as a full-time print designer in a commercial studio. Frances is dedicated to representational art, forever classic and enduring. While embracing the influences of the past, Frances explores this timeless genre with a fresh commitment and passion. Each of these contemporary drawings offers new interpretations of human existence and the ever-evolving natural and man-made world around us. Employing graphite medium, these intimate artworks are always visually accessible, technically proficient and of important artistic merit and accomplishment.
"All artists...when they want to simplify and get down to basics, eliminate color for a while, then go back to color. Color is the rococo stage, the black and white is the constructed, bare bones."
- Henry Geldzahler
Born: Jersey City, New Jersey, 1957
Education: Fashion Institute of Technology, NY, A.A.S., 1983
2011 - 2012 Artist in Residence, Adirondack Museum
Group Exhibitions:
2013 - Mimosa Gallery, Saratoga Springs, NY
2013 - Lake Placid Center for the Arts, Lake Placid, NY (Juried)
2013 - Abanakee Studios, Indian Lake, NY (Instructors Show)
2012 - Abanakee Studios, Indian Lake, NY
2011 - Lake Placid Center for the Arts, Lake Placid, NY (Juried)
2011 - Saranac Lake Plein Air Festival, Saranac Lake, NY (Juried - Awarded)
2010 - Lake Placid Center for the Arts, Lake Placid, NY (Juried)
2010 - Arts Center/Old Forge, Old Forge, NY (Awarded)
2010 - Adirondack Museum, Blue Mountain Lake, NY (Juried)
2009 - Phoenix Gallery, New York, NY
2008 - Art Students League, New York, NY
2005 - Scenic Outlook Studios, Riparius, NY
2004 - Scenic Outlook Studios, Riparius, NY
2004 - Cedarburg Cultural Center, Cedarburg, WI
2003 - Seebeck Gallery, Pleasant Prairie, WI
2002 - Lake Placid Center for the Arts, Lake Placid, NY (Juried)?
2001 - Warren County Arts, Oxford, NJ
2000 - 2005 Friends Lake Inn, Chestertown, NY
?1999 - Evergreen Gallery, Spring Lake, NJ
1998 - Nicholas F. Rizzo Fine Arts, Chatham, NJ
1997 - Everhart Gallery, Basking Ridge, NJ
1996 - Salmagundi Club, New York, NY (Juried)
1995 - 2001 Lake Placid Lodge, Lake Placid, NY
1994 - Arts Center/Old Forge, Old Forge, NY
1994 - Millburn/Short Hills Office Center, Short Hills, NJ (Juried)
1993 - New Jersey Center for Visual Arts, Summit, NJ (Juried)
1993 - Blackwell St. Center for the Arts, Dover, NJ
1993 - 14th Annual Mountain Art Show, Bernardsville, NJ (Juried)
One Person Exhibitions:
2012 - Tannery Pond Community Center, North Creek, NY
2001 - Scenic Outlook Studios, Riparius, NY
1994 - Friends Lake Inn, Chestertown, NY
1996 - Monmouth County Park, Lincroft, NJ
1997 - Scenic Outlook Studios, Riparius, NY
1998 - Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts, Blue Mountain Lake, NY
1999 - Warren County Administration Building, Belvedere, NJ
2000 - Milking Parlor Gallery, Washington, NJ
Recent Awards:
2011 - Lake Placid Center for the Arts, Lake Placid, NY
2011 - Saranac Lake Plein Air Festival, Saranac Lake, NY
2010 - Arts Center/Old Forge, Old Forge, NY
2002 - Lake Placid Center for the Arts, Second Place
1997 - Warren County Arts, Warren County, NJ
1993 - Millburn/Short Hills, NJ Office Center Show
Acquisitions:
Plein Air Magazine
Village of Pleasant Prairie, WI
Bank of Kenosha, Kenosha, WI
Johnsburg Public Library, North Creek, NY
Alpine Lodge, North Creek, NY
Epworth League, Riparius, NY
Lake Placid Lodge, Lake Placid, NY
Department of Parks and Recreation, City of New York
Teaching Experience:
1996 - 2000 St. Mary's School, Hackettstown, NJ
1995 - Washington Borough Park Summer Arts & Crafts Supervisor
1992 - 1993 Our Lady of Peace School, New Providence, NJ
1993 - Hunterdon Art Museum, Clinton, NJ
1994 - 1999 Taught 30 students weekly in her own studio
Upcoming Events and Exhibits
Plein Air Magazine Publishers Invitational PAINT THE ADIRONDACKS 2013 Paul Smiths College 6/18/2013-6/23/2013 Reception: ()
PleinAir publisher Eric Rhoads invites you to be one of 100 people to paint for a week in June. You become a member of the ADIRONDACK MOUNTAIN SCHOOL PAINTERS. A week with friends, laughter, painting and bonding. No exhibition, no workshop, no pressure. Just painting with new friends for six days in the beautiful Adirondack Mountains of New York. One price includes lodging and meals.
www.publishersinvitational.com
Instructor's Show Abanakee Studios 7/1/2013-8/1/2013 Reception: ()
Artist-in-Residence Adirondack Museum Adirondack Museum 7/25/2013-7/29/2013 Reception: ()
Artist Frances Gaffney will be on the grounds and in the area drawing the landscape from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. . The artist will have her easel set up demonstrating the technique of drawing en plein air. Guests are welcome to ask questions and engage in conversation. Paintings will be developing as the day progresses and guests are encouraged to check on the progress.
Plein Air Invitational Exhibit at the Paul Smith's College VIC Paul Smiths College Visitor Interpretive Center 8/6/2013-9/4/2013 Reception: 8/16/2013 (5 to 7)
Plein Air Invitational
Event Dates: 8/6/2013 - 9/4/2013 Reception: 8/16/2013 Five to Seven Location: Paul Smith's College VIC Paul Smiths NY
Paul Smith's VIC is a wonderful place to paint the ponds and marshes. I look forward to many painting trips on the trails in the coming months. The Plein Air Invitational is coordinated by Sandra Hildreth, sandrahildreth.com.
Saranac Lake Plein Air Festival Town Hall and Adirondack Artists Guild 8/15/2013-8/18/2013 Reception: (12 p.m. to 4 p.m.)
Nestled among the lakes and mountains of the Adirondack Park in northern New York state, Saranac Lake has an abundance of charming village scenes, the Saranac Lake "River Walk", and is surrounded by panoramic mountain views, rivers, lakes, ponds, scenic forest locations, rustic lodges, and small farms. Everyone can find interesting subject matter or scenic views. Experience the Adirondacks like the 19th century Hudson River painters did! Spectators welcome!
The Adirondack Artists' Guild , 52 Main St., will be the event headquarters and the source of information for the event. A Show & Sale of works created during the weekend will be held on Sunday afternoon from 12 - 4 at the Town Hall.
Upcoming Workshops
Other Web Pages that Frances Gaffney Recommends you visit
(These pages are not necessarily about Frances Gaffney)
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