Jennifer English Gallery (second floor)
Artist Statement: Jessee Hashagen
“Colors is a personal reflection of the world around us. A bright and colorful interpretation of the so
called static, mundane, boring things we pass everyday without taking time to pause. Each piece is
a tiny moment in time, a reminder of something beautiful that was, and will never be again.”
As a plein air landscape painter, I am captivated by the interplay of light and color that defines
the world around us. Each moment in time presents a new opportunity to capture this beauty,
where the shifting hues of sunlight blanket the landscape, creating a melody of colors and
textures. My artistic journey is a continuous exploration of how these influences change the
environment around us, shaping the tone and mood of each scene I paint.
In my work, I strive to capture the essence of these moments, translating the play of light and
color onto canvas with a delicate balance of observation and interpretation. Whether it’s the soft
glow of a sunrise casting long shadows across a meadow, or the vibrant hues of autumn foliage
illuminated by the afternoon sun, I aim to evoke the same sense of awe and wonder that I feel
when immersed in nature’s beauty. Through bold brushstrokes and careful attention to detail, I
seek to transport viewers to these serene and enchanting landscapes.
I am constantly inspired by natures ever-changing balance of light and color. My paintings
serve as a celebration of the beauty that surrounds us, and I want to invite viewers to pause
and appreciate the magic of the world we inhabit. With each mark, I hope to convey not only the
visual splendor of the landscape but also the profound emotional and spiritual connection that I
feel when I’m immersed in the wonder of nature.
Main Floor Gallery
Artist Statement: Valerie Ottaviano
Scratch the Surface explores themes of luck, love and chance, while examining the diversity of regional lottery tickets in America.
The pieces in the show utilize elements of discarded lottery scratch tickets and found objects.. Everything from trashed books to thrifted textiles have found purpose .The 93 year old father of the artist contributed with his paint rags , then cut into hundreds of hearts in the piece named “Big Love”.
Artist and Rhode Island resident Valerie Ottaviano lived in Los Angeles for 20 years, exposing her to the similarities and differences between the dominant Hispanic culture in LA and her own Portuguese background. The two distinct styles in this show - Lady of Guadalupe and Pinup - are both inspired by and celebrated in Southern California. In Los Angeles, each year brings a Day of the Dead ticket, and a Chinese New Year edition. By contrast, in Rhode Island (where scratch tickets were
invented), sports teams and Holiday themes are common.
Yet across the entirety of the United States, games of fast chance and bright colors dominate, and instant salvation is so often sought. The promise that a dollar can bring instant fortune -- or instant loss -- is both exciting and tragic. Whenever misfortune rules, so often the tickets are discarded, torn or even tossed on the ground.
“Although that flicker of optimism ends for the player, I treasure each ticket that I find in the world. It transforms into a moment of good fortune for me,” explains the artist. “It is Lady Luck being capricious.”
Interested in booking an art exhibit at Barrington Public Library? Find more information HERE.
