Connected by Water - Marsha Connell

Lagoon Shallows by Marsha Connell

EXHIBIT DATES:  September 28 – October 25, 2020

Sonoma County artist, Marsha Connell, presents Connected by Water, plein air paintings in oil and watercolor, both large scale and intimate, depicting water encountered and observed in some of its many forms and settings. On a deeper level, this exhibit is charged by the artist’s passion for saving the environment, calling on the viewer to experience how water’s surface beauty and reflections, and shapeshifting inner rhythms, transfixes us; and then to follow it, to see how water, and water cycles, connect us all: human to human, whether across town, continent, or seas. What happens on our shores affects those near and far.  “I believe art can open hearts to care about water, the source of life, and increase our focus on protecting and watersheds, wetlands, oceans, and open space preserves and parks” stated Connell. These paintings through their expressive bold brushstrokes and masterful cool toned palettes, invite the viewer to enter their world and find healing for water and for the self.
A longtime resident of Sonoma County, Connell’s art journey began as a child, drawing with her grandfather, Samuel Riss, farmer and watercolor artist, in upstate New York. Connell taught art at Santa Rosa Junior College for many years. She earned fine art degrees from Skidmore College and San Francisco State University. Her works have been exhibited regionally and internationally and are in private, corporate and healthcare collections.

Coastal Beat, Sea Ranch by Marsha Connell

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The Small Works Showcase on the stairway features Sense of Sonoma, a collection of small acrylic paintings by Beverly Bird that capture scenes depicting the beauty and character of our amazing corner of the planet.    Through their colorful textural passages, these works take the viewer on an exciting tour from the coast to the forest to the vineyards.

Goat Rock by Beverly Bird