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What does the mind’s eye see? Sometimes the vision comes from the unconscious, combining mental images and thoughts. Often the vision comes in a dreamlike state. Other times it is right in front of us. The mind’s eye of a talented artist is able to create art that shares moments, punctuates thoughts, and forces us to see the world just a little bit differently.
The current show at Topanga Canyon Gallery, “In The Mind’s Eye,” explores this concept with amazing clarity. Idelle Okman Tyzbir captures the essence of flowers and contemplates scenes, moods, and moments with her beautiful watercolors. While painting with watercolor seems such a delicate pursuit, Tyzbir lets us know she is no wilting dandelion. Her magnificent metal sculptures representing the woman, the joys of music, and serene space contrast with her watercolor work, showing her inner and outer strength combined with an attentive gentleness that gives us a glimpse of the workings of her mind’s eye.
The beautiful, sometimes haunting photographs by Patrick Ramsey feel familiar and yet so stunningly remarkable, as you realize that he is able to capture the in-between moments of time. Using his mind’s eye, along with patience and a keen sense of the joys and struggles of life, he shares these photographs as portraits in time, whose subjects seem as unaware of the camera as the nature or buildings around them. His landscapes require you to stop and ponder the scene, representing so much more than a simple photograph. A quote from Ansel Adams aptly sums it up; “When I am ready to make a photograph, I think I quite obviously see in my mind’s eye something that is not literally there in the true meaning of the work. I’m interested in something which is built up from within, rather than just extracted from without.”
Color is a hallmark of Carol Carpenter’s dye-on-silk paintings. Her work on fine silk rather than canvas imbues the colors with a depth not often seen in paintings. Her ability to create incredible shading and values in her pieces speaks of her skillful execution. Carpenter’s mind’s eye sees the brilliance and the nuance of her subjects, inviting you into the space, drawing you closer as you begin to see the rich detail in each piece. Her flower paintings will draw your attention from across the room. Her subject matter beautifully covers landscapes, flowers, and animals.
The Mind’s Eye experience is unique to each person, based on and drawn from each person’s life experiences. You are invited to meet the artists, enter their world, discuss and enjoy.
“In the Mind’s Eye” at Topanga Canyon Gallery through April 28; Wine Reception, April 26, 4-7 p.m.
Topanga Canyon Gallery, founded in Topanga in 1989, is an artist-owned mutual benefit corporation. It is located at 120 N Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga CA 90290. For more information: (310) 455-7909; TopangaCanyonGallery.com. Gallery Hours: Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday 11 a.m.– 6 p.m.; Friday 12–8 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
By Idelle Okman Tysbir and Sari Scheer