D’art Gallery, located at 900 Santa Fe Drive, hosts " Optical Opulence ", Solo Exhibitions by Lisa Calzavara and Suzanne Frazier. The exhibition runs from Thursday, May 11 through Sunday, June 4, 2023. An Opening Reception is scheduled for Friday, May 12, from 6 -9pm. Artist Talks are scheduled for Saturday, May 20 at 1 pm.
“Optical Opulence” celebrates the joy and wonder in creating work with opulent colors using lines, texture and composition to create an enjoyable optical experience. This exhibition emerges out of 30 years of creating artwork by Lisa Calzavara and Suzanne Frazier. The artists share their deep appreciation with the art creation process.
Solo Exhibition by Lisa Calzavara
In developing the latest series of work, Calzavara focused on capturing the feeling of comforting indulgences such as when one is wrapped up in a warm blanket, or the satisfied feeling after eating a delicious meal including a decadent dessert, or the happiness that warms one’s heart after spending time laughing with friends. In order to capture these sensations of contentment and decadence, each painting was imbibed with rich radiant colors designed to bring luxury and intensity to the work. She further developed the dynamic flow with diagonal components to enhance the energy and movement which created a lavish sense of playfulness. These pieces were designed to reveal their opulence through luminous color and optically stimulate the senses.
Her process begins after conceptualizing the experience to explore: small black and white sketches are created to determine overall compositions. Several acrylic color studies are then developed and analyzed, selecting only the pieces that best represent the chosen concept. Larger oil paintings can then be designed by organizing the information in the smaller studies and utilizing the most successful components.
Lisa Calzavara continues to use her finance degree from Northern Illinois University and at the same time finds time for her creative passions. She specializes in a variety of mediums, including encaustic, acrylic, resin, oil, and looks forward to new challenges as she pursues her innovative visions. Her work can be viewed at: http://www.aprettypainting.com
Solo Exhibition by Suzanne Frazier
As a Contemplative Artist, Suzanne Frazier’s oil paintings arise out of her meditative approach reflecting her exploration into a space deep inside her spirit. “Optical Opulence” inspired Suzanne to create new work around opulent colors. Since this exhibition is her last one at D’art Gallery, Suzanne will include a few paintings from her “Spirit Light” exhibition during COVID that not many people were able to see. She shares her contemplation.
Suzanne Frazier combines a BFA degree in Studio Arts from the University of Colorado with a BA degree in Philosophy from Lake Erie College to create a philosophical/meditative approach to art making. In 2015, Suzanne published the book, Contemplative Art describing her meditative painting process and definition for contemplative art. She has exhibited her work throughout the Metro Denver Area. Her work is in private collections in the United States, Canada, Japan and Europe. Her work can be viewed at https://suzannefrazierartist.com and on Instagram @ContemplativeArt
D’art Gallery will be participating in the Art District on Santa Fe events:
Third Friday Collectors Night on Friday, May 19 from 6 – 9 pm
“Sundays on Santa Fe” on Sunday, May 28 from 11 am to 4 pm
First Friday on Friday, June 2 from 6 - 9 pm.
Gallery Hours: Thursday Noon to 5pm, Friday Noon to 9 pm, Saturday Noon to 5 pm, Sunday 1 pm to 4 pm.