Our March Exhibit...
Posted 3/05/2012 / Labels: Visual Arts
“Tribute to Impressionism”
The Paintings of Frank Ashton
On display March 2 - April 1
An opening reception will be held Friday, March 9 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Frank Ashton has been interested in art since his years at Mentor High School. With a BA in History and Art & History, Frank taught high school Art for 33 years until his retirement in 2001. A lover of Impressionism, Frank also loves to travel and has visited Monet’s home in Giverny four times. In the past few years, he has one seven first place awards in juried shows.“The paintings in this exhibit represent my interst in Impressionism and particularly Claude Monet,” says Frank. “One of the reasons I love impressionism is that it is very forgiving, which means one can add a dab or two (or more) to correct mistakes. I was once asked ‘Why do you paint?’ Thinking it over, the only answer I can give is that I have to! This, in spite of the fact that I will never paint as well as Monet. Yet I can’t help loving to stand in front of a canvas, trying to paint as well as I am able. As you look at the many paintings on display the one thing you should understand is that most paintings never end up looking like I had thought they would when I started. Most evolved, changed, and became something different. I also have to confess that there haven’t been that I was satisfied with as I started painting them. In the end though, persistence won out over frustration and, though different than expected, most of the time I would finish them and like them. “I believe every artist has an ego and he or she is never happy unless people like what they see. Unfortunately we are not pleased with criticism but we do like to win awards. Any artist who denies this is not telling you the truth. I do hope you will appreciate what you see!”
Gallery hours: Mon. - Thurs. 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. Fri. & Sat. 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. The gallery is also open before all theater performances and during intermission. Admission to the gallery is free.
