VISUAL ARTS + MUSEUMS

Water media artist Cookie Wells presents a new series of works A Closer Look, at Archway Gallery, September 4 through September 30, 2010.

The artist will be on hand to visit with guests firsthand during the exhibition opening reception on Saturday, September 11 from 5 – 8 pm at the gallery. While there, attendees will have the chance to win an original painting being raffled by Wells. The Women’s Institute of Houston is co-hosting Wells’ opening reception with Archway Gallery.

In this series of work, A Closer Look, Wells seeks to convey a sense of perception and point of view. These colorful water media paintings are either from a “bird’s eye view” or a really “close-up, micro view.” Both views tend to distort the actual reality. In her artist’s statement Wells shares, “all of life is a moving canvas waiting to be frozen in a moment. Hopefully, it will conjure up a feeling or emotion and discussion…what’s your point of view.”

On Friday, September 24 from 6 - 8 pm, Wells will give an Artist’s Talk about her process of creating art with water media at Archway Gallery. Guest poet, Pat Dixon, will join Wells to form a collaboration of words and art.

Wells was accepted in 2005, 2007 and 2009 to the prestigious Watercolor U.S.A. competition at the Springfield Art Museum in Springfield, Missouri. After winning a prize for one of her pieces, she was invited to become a member of the Watercolor U.S.A. Honor Society. Wells is also an active member of the Watercolor Art Society, Houston where she recently won a First Place and an Honorable Mention in two monthly shows.

She has been a member of WiVLA (Women in the Visual and Literary Arts) for 15 years and has served on the board under four presidents. Wells worked for more than 30 years in the commercial graphic world. In the 1980’s, she chose to paint in watercolor for its loose and flowing qualities. She fell in love with the medium and continues to find it challenging and exciting. The works in this medium has grown in many directions, as the artist employs collage, inks and acrylics in her works. Wells is always seeking ways of using color and texture.

ABOUT ARCHWAY GALLERY
Archway Gallery, one of Houston’s oldest artist owned and operated galleries, is located at 2305 Dunlavy and is open Monday – Saturday from 10 am – 6 pm and Sunday from 1 – 5 pm. Since 1976, Archway Gallery has been exhibiting the work of the area’s finest artists, providing a great selection of affordable, high quality art including sculpture, pottery and painting in a variety of media and styles. Artists are always on site, offering visitors a unique experience to meet the artist who created the work, offering a personal insight about the process behind their creativity.

The gallery offers a “Tea and Tour” program, providing visitors with a free artist-led tour of the current exhibition, followed by tea and refreshments. In addition to monthly exhibitions, Archway also hosts a variety of demonstrations and monthly readings for local writers and authors. With 30 artist-members, Archway Gallery is THE destination in the Houston area for art.

For more information, visit ArchwayGallery.com or call 713.522.2409. Become a fan on Facebook and follow the gallery on Twitter.