May 1, 2004 – More often than not, when an artist has a solo show, it consists of new works. But when the show is titled "New Works," art appreciators can anticipate seeing some new directions in the exhibitor's style, subject matter and/or mission.
Such anticipation will be rewarded on Thursday, when Gallery St. Thomas unveils "New Works," an exhibition of Lucinda Schutt's latest paintings in oil and watercolor.
The public is invited to meet the artist and view her work at a wine and cheese reception from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the gallery at the Garden Street end of Government Hill.
Schutt, like many other artists in the islands, finds inspiration in the natural beauty that surrounds her, a release states, but the works she is now showing were "particularly inspired by the beauty and simplicity of everyday scenes — waves pounding the rocks, a school of fish, a vase of flowers, shadows on a building."
The show also features paintings inspired by the French Impressionist Henri Matisse. "I looked to his work to study color, shape and form for the pieces I created in oil," Schutt says.
Schutt has lived and worked as an artist on St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas, with a side trip to California's wine country. Several years ago, she opened Blue Turtle Gallery on St. Thomas — which last fall was acquired by Claire Ochoa and renamed Galley St. Thomas.
"The gallery continues to feature Lucinda's paintings and reproductions prominently," Ochoa notes.
Dividing her time now between painting and teaching, Schutt is the resident artist at the Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas Resort, where she both teaches and paints. Meantime, she soon will complete a mural in the Roy L. Schneider Hospital children's ward.
She plans to teach painting classes for handicapped children at the University of the Virgin Islands this summer.
Her painting classes at the Ritz-Carlton are featured in the May issue of Caribbean Travel & Life magazine. She previously spent eight years as artist in residence at Caneel Bay Resort, teaching watercolor and painting, and she was the first resident artist at the Robert Mondavi Winery in Napa Valley, Calif.
In January, she took part in a watercolor workshop given on St. Croix by Mel Stabin, author of "The Figure in Watercolor: Simple, Fast and Focused." "I'm always looking for ways to learn to paint differently," she explains. "The workshop was a real treat for me, as I am almost always teaching. It was nice to be able to enjoy Stabin's instruction and humor — and be the student for a change."
The "New Works" exhibition will hang through May 26. For more information about the show or the gallery, call 777-6363 or visit the Gallery St. Thomas Web site.
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