affordable original artwork on display in Northwood

Affordability is not usually part of an artist’s lexicon when describing his or her own work. Most artists would probably prefer that their work be described as “priceless,” rather than “price-conscious.” However, almost all artists agree that everyone has a right to enjoy art, regardless of financial status. Gallery 4 in Northwood has taken this sentiment to heart with its new show, “The Good, The Bad and the Ugly: A Celebration of Interesting and Affordable Art.” Beginning on Wednesday, Jan. 2, the show will feature modestly priced work in a variety of mediums.

“Sometimes people are really intimidated by fine art. They think if they walk into a gallery, they’ll make a mistake. We’ve tried to break that barrier down,” said Klia Ververidis Xanthopoulos, owner of Gallery 4. “The place where I’m at is not an affluent community. It’s not a high-end market. But there are a lot of people here who are really interested in art and there are a lot of artists in the area offering work that everyone can afford.”

When Xanthopoulos decided to organize the show, she sent out an email inviting local artists to submit affordable work. “The response was overwhelming. Some of the pieces are amazing,” she said.

The gallery received hundreds of submissions, including mixed media work by Allan Tuttle, who routinely sells his art for hundreds or thousands of dollars. Local artist Doug DeJardin also submitted work, as did potter Jeff Brown. While a number of pieces are highly valued, nothing in the show costs more than $200.

The idea for the exhibit was a result of Xanthopoulos’s frustration with the homogenization of art shopping. According to her, most people pick out the same tired prints that you see in every corporate lobby or doctor’s office. She admits that the reason so many people are not creative in their purchases is that popular prints are so inexpensive, thanks to corporate printmakers. But another reason people go for popular prints is because images like Van Gogh’s “Starry Night” or Wyeth’s “Master Bedroom” have proven themselves through generations of favorable public opinion. They are a safe bet for people who don’t trust their own judgment when it comes to original artwork.

To help stem this tide of homogenization, Gallery 4, located at 188 First N.H. Turnpike, held a similar affordable show last year, but it was less formal and had a different title. “We’ll be doing this every year now, judging from the response we’ve gotten,” Xanthopoulos said.
The show will run through Feb. 2, with a closing reception on Feb. 1. All of the work is also available for purchase online at www.gallery4design.com.

the art of illustration

The illustrations in a children’s book are just as important as the words. Without engaging images to go along with the story, a child’s attention would dissipate faster than you can say “see spot run.” A new exhibition at the Picker Building in Dover will feature illustrations by Nathan Walker, whose work was recently published in a children’s book called “Floaty Feet.” The show will be on the third floor of the Picker Building at One Washington Center from Saturday, Jan. 5, through Feb. 2. An opening reception will be held on January 5, from 5 to 7 p.m.

Daisy Adams is the volunteer curator for the exhibit. She and Walker both attended Montserrat College of Art in Beverly, Mass., at the same time. When she heard that Walker had a children’s book coming out, she organized an exhibit of his work at the Picker Building, where she is a resident artist. “It’s really skilled. The quality of the work is great. It’s very whimsical and happy and fun,” Adams said.

Walker grew up in Stratham and studied animation and illustration in California before returning to the East Coast to earn a degree in illustration at Montserrat in Beverley, where he currently lives. His work has been featured on the cover of “Highlights for Children,” in a guided reader book entitled “Sophie to the Rescue,” and in publications for the Union of Concerned Scientists. “Floaty Feet,” written by JoAnn Drew Dworman, is his latest project. 

The exhibit in Dover will feature 22 illustrations, each measuring 17 by 22 inches, all done in acrylic paint. All of the pieces have been framed and matted and will be available for sale, as will copies of “Floaty Feet.”

“It’s really interesting to see the process and the difference between the scanned images and the raw artwork. It’s always kind of neat to see stuff like that,” Adams said. She believes the exhibit will appeal to people of all ages, but that it will be especially fun for families with children.