Nov. 11, 2004 – Alexander's Bella Blu Art Show Monthly "La Dolce Vita" (The Sweet Life) an exhibit of scenes from Italy and the Caribbean, scheduled to run through Nov. 12 has been extended through Wednesday, Nov. 24.
The show features original works from 3 local artists, Kat Sowa, Gregory Samuel, and Pam Larsen. Artists over the ages have traveled to and studied in Italy because of its rich art history and its seemingly unlimited painting opportunities due in part to its natural beauty. Not surprisingly, natural beauty and the Virgin Islands are also synonymous in these artists' eyes, hence creating an opportunity to experience "The Sweet Life" by living in one beautiful place and traveling and painting in another, Italy, a region renowned for its artistic inspiration and expression.
Kat Sowa, resident of St. John since 1985, has been highly recognized in the U.S. and Caribbean for her achievements in the arts and an active member of the artistic community. She is the resident artist at Caneel Bay in St. John and teaches painting on canvas at her new studio, SeaRock.
Aside from teaching and mentoring aspiring artists, Kat has been showing for 25 years and her work has been collected worldwide. Her plein-air oil sketches in the show represent both her recent trip to the Tuscan village of Montalcino, Italy, and at home in the Caribbean painted since her return.
Gregory Samuel, originally from Dominica, has lived in St. Thomas since 1970. Primarily a self-taught painter, Samuel came into oil painting relatively recently and enjoys depicting the "beauty and intense colors of the landscapes and lifestyles of the Caribbean islands." Of equal interest to Samuel is painting from memory of his numerous travels to Italy. He describes his work as "relaxed and free spirited."
Pam Larsen started as a student in Lucinda Schutt's watercolor class and has created a name for herself with her watercolor landscapes. While she paints Caribbean scenes that inspire her, she frequently draws from her travels for new works. Pam was recently commissioned to create a painting for the new future Queen of Denmark and is currently a featured artist in an international art show in Fredricia, Denmark.
The show will close along with the restaurant on Thanksgiving Day and will reopen the next day, Friday, Nov. 26 with a new Art Show Monthly exhibit and reception featuring past Bella Blu favorites, including Gary Felton’s black and white panoramic photograph “Early Morning Squalls.“
For more information contact Gallery St. Thomas at 777-6363 or on the Web at www.GalleryStThomas.com.