Now Showing

Summit the Soul

Art by David Lionheart and Robert Giolito – Photographs and Paintings

Exhibit runs May 6, 2023 – July 23, 2023

Opening Reception May 6, 2023 – 5 pm to 8 pm (live music)

The works of art will ask you to keep climbing higher within yourself as well as the world around you. There is so much to see, we just have to be willing to go.

About Bob Giolito

Bob Giolito has been photographing his friends climbing and skiing since 1992. At age 19, his first camera was a Kodak 35 mm point and shoot which accompanied him on a 95-day NOLS wilderness expedition in the Fall of 1994.

Following NOLS, Bob purchased his first  SLR film 35mm-80mm which accompanied him on many climbs and ski descents.  In the late 1990’s Bob’s first photos were published in The Complete Climber’s Handbook written by Jerry Cinnamon and published by Raged Mountain Press Mc-Graw Hill.

Today, Bob has all but replaced his film SLR with a digital 18mm- 55mm SLR when traveling in the backcountry.  Truth be told, Bob prefers the simplicity of his old film camera to capture friends in adventure landscapes. Bob explains, “Taking photos of friends climbing and skiing has helped me shape my vision of what is possible in life. I love developing a relationship between people and terrain, tying the relationship between experience, friendship, and adventure in my photos.”

Chamonix, France, by Robert Giolito

Geo/Physical Abstraction
“My new sculptures reflect my varied life experiences. No longer predominantly abstract in design, they show my fascination with words and color, as well as the human figure. Moreover, my experience as a builder informs each piece with an intimate awareness of how material and form interact in mysterious and sometimes astounding ways.” – Morris Shuman
Beasts of Burden
David Lionheart has continued his pursuit of creating larger than life subjects through mixed media and rugged textures. Carefully sculpting impressions made by the wild nature appreciated in his life. To see them and to touch them is to understand them.

About David Lionheart

Mixed media artist David Lionheart uses his keen sense of depth and spatial awareness to create abstract works, enhanced by color and texture. He employs a variety of unexpected materials to create layers of dimension, including oil paints, spray paints, and industrial materials, which results in a sculptural quality in his canvas and wood pieces. In his large-scale compositions, he demonstrates a unique understanding of the power of movement over a canvas, versus representing a specific subject. This creates a powerful suggestive journey that walks the viewer over every square inch of the piece.

Born in the City of Newburgh, NY, and raised by a single mother, David faced immeasurable challenges and traumas at an early age. He credits his mother’s indomitable strength and influence for guiding him through extreme adversity. Now he’s on a mission to teach others the potential any one person has to be a positive force for themselves and others.

David has overcome the horrific effects of sexual abuse, the catastrophic pain of a loved one’s suicide, the early struggles of life in a broken home, and the limitations of severe financial distress. With intense commitment to his own healing, David learned to view his struggles as blessings that taught him the value of adversity, and allow him to help others navigate their own challenging paths.

Today, David is the founder of the 501(c)(3) Play For Your Freedom. He utilizes wellness workshops to get veterans out of hospital rooms or secluded lifestyles and back into their lives in whatever capacity they can. He is also a powerful speaker on trauma, adversity, and triumph.

“David is a firm believer that everyone has the ability to be a force in this world, and he is using his own life to exemplify that belief. His message of resilience, gratitude, and hope is profoundly moving. He is not above allowing himself to be raw and real, and his audiences are often found in stunned silence moments before erupting into applause.” – Barbara Allen, Co Founder of American Snippets

Court of Owls by David Lionheart

For more information: [email protected]

The artwork on display is available for purchase at our online store

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Call for Artists

GRIT WORKS GALLERY is seeking submissions for our Summer 2022 show “PORTRAY”
running from July 9 to September 11.
 
All Portraits | All Mediums | All Subjects
 
Now accepting entries through June 30, 2022

Next Show: Here We Are

Past Shows

Olivia Sellinger

Nestled between the Emerald Cascade Foothills and the crisp Salish Seas on the beautiful Pacific Northwest Coast is where Olivia spent her early years. “Growing up we would always be either at the beach or planning our next trip to the beach.” These memories didn’t turn into painting inspiration until later, though. 

Olivia pursued her interests in the culinary world for many years, traveling frequently for new exposures, cultures and tastes. Then, after a trip to India in 2019, she found herself at home, isolated in a pandemic and seeking inspiration. This is when she decided to pick up a paint brush. With no formal training, she brushed and poured her way to find her signature style. 

Her art is fluid, abstract and evokes a sense of soothing calm. “The ocean and flow of water continues to be the biggest source of inspiration for me.” Using acrylic and multimedia, mostly on raw canvas, she gravitates toward shapes and colors found in nature with her organic style. Having recently relocated to the east coast, she is finding new inspiration from the beautiful surroundings of the Hudson Valley.

What’s most amazing and challenging is when elements in nature approach a state of true chaos—when the geometry that governs natural elements gets so complex that it actually breaks down, which, theoretically, can’t happen. Think of clouds and violent water events, for example. Then, beauty becomes a momentary, transitory thing, totally different from what we normally perceive. 

The challenge to a photographer—to any creative person, really—is to be able to recognize, translate and transform these elements or moments into something that conveys to someone else the sense of wonderment we originally had.

It’s to be blessed if one can have a sense of wonder when looking at the elements and objects of everyday existence. The silhouette of the leaves of a houseplant on the windowsill, the geometry of a jay’s feather, the complexities of a common flower—these all offer definitions of beauty that are endless, sometimes even overwhelming. 

What’s most amazing and challenging is when elements in nature approach a state of true chaos—when the geometry that governs natural elements gets so complex that it actually breaks down, which, theoretically, can’t happen. Think of clouds and violent water events, for example. Then, beauty becomes a momentary, transitory thing, totally different from what we normally perceive. 

The challenge to a photographer—to any creative person, really—is to be able to recognize, translate and transform these elements or moments into something that conveys to someone else the sense of wonderment we originally had.

PORTRAY: Portraits with a Purpose

Works from 18 artists who have captured unique stories worth telling through their visual art.

This new exhibit explores the visual portrayal in many mediums. The artists put on display the varied stories behind the portraits. How they characterize and interpret their subjects. And how they are uniquely connected to the artists lives.

July 14 to September 18

"Brass Tax and the Invisible Complexities Within" by David Lionheart

About David Lionheart

Mixed media artist David Lionheart uses his keen sense of depth and spatial awareness to create abstract works, enhanced by color and texture. He employs a variety of unexpected materials to create layers of dimension, including oil paints, spray paints, and industrial materials, which results in a sculptural quality in his canvas and wood pieces. In his large-scale compositions, he demonstrates a unique understanding of the power of movement over a canvas, versus representing a specific subject. This creates a powerful suggestive journey that walks the viewer over every square inch of the piece.

Born in the City of Newburgh, NY, and raised by a single mother, David faced immeasurable challenges and traumas at an early age. He credits his mother’s indomitable strength and influence for guiding him through extreme adversity. Now he’s on a mission to teach others the potential any one person has to be a positive force for themselves and others.

David has overcome the horrific effects of sexual abuse, the catastrophic pain of a loved one’s suicide, the early struggles of life in a broken home, and the limitations of severe financial distress. With intense commitment to his own healing, David learned to view his struggles as blessings that taught him the value of adversity, and allow him to help others navigate their own challenging paths.

Today, David is the founder of the 501(c)(3) Play For Your Freedom. He utilizes wellness workshops to get veterans out of hospital rooms or secluded lifestyles and back into their lives in whatever capacity they can. He is also a powerful speaker on trauma, adversity, and triumph.

“David is a firm believer that everyone has the ability to be a force in this world, and he is using his own life to exemplify that belief. His message of resilience, gratitude, and hope is profoundly moving. He is not above allowing himself to be raw and real, and his audiences are often found in stunned silence moments before erupting into applause.” – Barbara Allen, Co Founder of American Snippets

"Primordial Substance" by Evan Samuelson

The first solo art show of painter Evan Samuelson of Beacon will be on display from July 9th through September 18th. The show, titled “Primordial Substance”, is a collection of 17 oil paintings. Depictions of the human form or expressive floral displays appear on oversized canvas or wood panels, with sizes such as 38”x 50” and an impressive 66”x 102”.

Considering his own work as generally in the surreal minimalist style, Samuelson also says “working larger has always felt natural. I like that the preliminary lines and strokes utilize more of a full-body motion.  It can also be viewed from further away and seems to create an immersive experience for the viewer”.

The artist’s statement about this show: “My work expresses emotionally charged forms from an altered perspective. Implicit to that is the desire to foster a deeper awareness of what it is that truly connects us. Playing with repetition, shape, and tone I hope to blur the boundaries which have been taught and accepted. Working towards an association with, and acceptance of, the underlying oneness of being.” Samuelson explains his technique “Most paintings begin with sketched form followed by an imprimatura to tone the canvas. I then apply the grisaille method to achieve a fully monochromatic composition. More recent work is finished with layers of glaze for vibrant color. A final coat of varnish achieves a consistent sheen.”

Regarding his personal journey and development as an artist, Samuelson says: “Art has provided a means of enhanced self-awareness and self-preservation. It was manifesting through trauma and internal struggle. As I began to venture into readings that dissected these topics, a love of philosophy and psychology began to take shape. I have been developing and applying these concepts to my paintings ever since. The idea of a deeper connection and mode of being is all-encompassing and drives me to learn more every day. Accepting that all of these things are not necessarily gained but already exist within is so beautiful. The love and absolute beauty that resonates at our deepest levels. The parts of being that feel just as they should.”

Samuelson, who grew up on the South Shore of Long Island, has lived in Beacon for the last six years. In that time, he has shown paintings at Catalyst Gallery in Beacon, BAU Gallery in Beacon, and Hudson Beach Glass Art Gallery in Beacon.

"Wild Nights Are Calling" by David Lionheart
Wild Nights Are Calling at Grit Works