May 16, 2004 – Mango Tango Art Gallery will host a meet-the-artist champagne reception on Friday to open an exhibition of oil paintings by Kathy Carlson.
In her third solo show at Mango Tango, Carlson will be exhibiting more than 20 oil on canvas works ranging in size from 11 x 14 inches to 30 x 40 inches.
According to Mango Tango Gallery owner Jane Coombes, "The signature feature of a Carlson painting is her great use of light."
A retired educator, Carlson has been working as a full-time artist for the last four years. She has participated in the annual Caribbean Colour shows and has exhibited in the Sunny Caribbee Gallery in Tortola. This year she was invited to exhibit at the renowned Devonish Art Gallery in Anguilla.
Carlson first began sketching and painting the West Indies more than 20 years ago when she and her family sailed throughout the Virgin Islands on summer vacations. She moved to St. Thomas to teach math at Antilles School; two years later she retired from teaching.
Enjoying her current career as an artist, Carlson praises St. Thomas oil painting instructor Tom St. Vincent di Coio for his guidance. She notes that a great deal of what artists learn they must discover for themselves. "It's a solitary journey, but a rewarding one," she says.
Many of Carlson's paintings tell stories about island life. Using the lush green foliage and sapphire blue sea as backdrops, she focuses on market women, fishermen and children at play. "The natural splendor of the islands is the catalyst for painting," she says.
Friday's reception is from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Along with champagne and hors d'oeuvres, there will be music by 2 Blue Shoes. The show will hang for a month. For more information, call 777-3060.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Thomas Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
