Hope Gerlay

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Artists Avenuecanvas, contemporary, femininity, Oil, wood

Yin and I

June 16, 2017

Did you know that in Webster’s dictionary there are 8 different meanings for ‘art’? For example: “High quality of conception or execution as found in works of beauty” or “esthetic value”. Art has allowed the human race to communicate through imagery, without words and often without obvious meanings. Art has manifested itself in every culture so much so that human evolution is often defined by the objects produced during every defined era of our walk on this planet. Humans turn to art to understand themselves, to discuss history and to define moments or feelings. From the expressions of cave drawings to computer designed pixelation, art has been a way to communicate ideas and trends.

I have been and continue to study art forms and work on my art skills. After beginning my foray into the art world 15 years ago, the last 12 I have felt art touch my soul to become the passion that guides my steps in life.

This presentation is an ode to divine femininity manifest in everyday activities and conversely the lack thereof. An unmade bed, a native woman walking in the middle of a street on a rainy day, an African grandmother and a young African female, a Jewess; manifestations of the simplicity and profundity of the ‘everyday’ female. As I prepared for this show my appreciation of the ‘divine feminine’ and that of my own femininity grew exponentially.

I very much hope that when people see the show, some of my perception of the feminine experience is projected and captured; that the vibrancy of color touches one’s, heart. Painting, drawing, sculpting, and most other visual art are subjective. Therefore, each person will assimilate from the collection an experience that is there for them based on their unique life experiences and culture. In a sincere and forthright way, I am just exposing my heart.

It is the work of the artist to present a piece of art that manifests simply that which it is. Conclusions are left to the spectator (to speculate).

The body of work that is presented is of a singular vision of subject that strongly resonates within me. At the same time, it is my profound mission that the observer’s mind and heart draw a ‘gestalt’ that is free and distinct from the artist. Science and common sense have proven women to be more emotionally receptive, though we each have a masculine and feminine aspect with a spectrum of feelings ranging from compassion to jealousy. My desire is to show those human traits within the context of the ‘Yin’. Yin representing the capacity to be receptive. Yin tends to be ‘giving’ oriented rather than self-oriented. Yin is balanced by the male energy, yang. To take care of others one needs to be taken care of too!

I focused my efforts on the femininity because in many parts of today’s world yin is a secondary thought when not totally ignored. The dominant yin of women allows for the adaptation to the stages of life, preparing them for the procreation. Yin also gives them the ability to overcome obstacles and is more powerful. Yin is not passive, manipulative, or even slightly dishonorable. Yin is magnetic, healing, enlivening, calming our yang while enjoying its protection.

These are my thoughts.

What’s your truth?

Gallery, Past Exhibitions

Exploring Femininity

The Art Avenue

June 14, 2017

Local emerging artist Hope Gerlay premiers HER, an exhibition containing paintings and charcoal drawings depicting modern femininity. The series explores the transition and growth of womanhood through time and different cultures. Gerlay states she drew from her own experiences for inspiration.

“The feminine rising is what I wanted to portray; with all the pseudo-feminism and philosophies from around the world on being a woman I felt like I needed to send a message,” said Gerlay. “And that message is determined by the viewer.”

While Gerlay is originally from Santa Fe, NM, she has traveled throughout the Pacific Northwest, Paris and Jerusalem finally settling in Las Cruces, NM. She primarily focuses on painting and drawing mentored by husband and renown artist Carlos Estrada-Vega.

She uses Estrada-Vega’s secret patented medium for her artwork. “I blend the medium with pigments to create whatever hue I want, apply with a spatula or brush depending on the thickness,” said Gerlay. “It is mainly an oil mixture with some limestone dust and it is quite a time-consuming process.”

“When I first met Hope I thought this young lady has an innocence about her—yet the more I have come to know her, she’s this pillar of incredible strength and learning her journey in art and life have opened my eyes,” said The Art Avenue Gallery owner, Kimberly Rene’ Vanecek. “Her artwork is definitely part of her voice and her voice speaks novels through her paintings.”

Gerlay and Estrada-Vega’s work will be on display in its current form through June, 2017 at The Art Avenue.

The Art Avenue Gallery hours are Tues., Thurs. & Fri. 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Wed. 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Sat. 11 a.m. — 2 p.m. and Mon. by appointment only, at 1618 Texas Ave. Suite E. For additional information or questions, please email info@theartave.com or call 915.213.4318.

Past Exhibitions, Visual Artscollaboration, el paso, Friendship, mixed media, Texas

When Friendship Meets Artistry

The Art Avenue

June 14, 2017

Longtime friends and artists Miguel Bonilla and Jason Lucero premiere a collaborative collection of contemporary works in May. This series, Gum on our Shoes: A Long Sticky Trail to Here and Now remixes previous works with a mature and seasoned twist.

The title of this exhibit highlights Bonilla and Lucero’s path towards maturity in both self-development and art. “Accidentally stepping in gum and then the weaving trail created when trying to get away from it just seemed like the best way to convey our experience together… sort of like two shoes that stepped in the same gum, they start from the same place but go elsewhere, but also parallel-ish after that,” said Bonilla.

The two artists first met as opponents on the soccer field in the 90s. Now, more than 20 years later, they have become an artistic dynamic duo. Their personal trails have carried them from painting murals and backdrops in their 20s, to working with acrylic, oil, charcoal, pen, and printmaking.

“There are some works of art that you see in life, but you don’t quite connect—Bonilla and Lucero’s works create a sense of curiosity that has the viewer almost entranced in the works trying to define a story, whether it be their own or of the artists,” said The Art Avenue Gallery owner, Kimberly Rene’ Vanecek.

Dismantling previous works for Gum on our Shoes: A Long Sticky Trail to Here and Now, they have created new pieces with a mature twist. “It is like I am collaborating with my younger self and correcting mistakes I might have made and/or filling in some gaps I could not see in the past. The work is becoming the medium, that’s kind of cliche, but rather than making brush strokes, I am choosing to rip up printed paper and adhere it to existing paintings,” said Lucero.

Gum on our Shoes: A Long Sticky Trail to Here and Now will be on display throughout May.

Past Exhibitions, Photographyel paso, iconic, photography, Texas

LUX: A Photographic Collection of Iconic El Paso

The Art Avenue

June 14, 2017

Photographer and web designer Brian Wancho premiers his photographic collection LUX at The Art Avenue Gallery on Thursday, March 9. Wancho’s exhibition features iconic buildings and cityscapes throughout the Borderplex.

“His iconic images and use of light make a statement and beautifully represent our region,” said Kimberly Rene’ Vanecek, owner of The Art Avenue Gallery.

Wancho derives the inspiration for his collection from the French word “Lux”. It means the “amount of light that falls on a surface”. Capitalizing on illumination through natural light, Wancho uses software to accentuate his digital images. “Programs like Photoshop allow the photographer to develop and enhance the photo so that it represents their creative intent,” said Wancho. “In that respect, it is an invaluable tool.”

His love for photography began at a young age. “I remember getting a Kodak 110 film camera as a kid and taking it with me everywhere,” Wancho said.

Now, as CEO of an El Paso web design company, Stanton Street, Wancho admits it is through this business he fine-tuned his love of photography. “My interest in photography stayed dormant until I took a job that included creating content for websites,” Wancho said. Since then, he has graduated to a Nikon D800E DSLR and a PhaseOne medium format camera.

LUX will be on display throughout April.

Past Exhibitions

Sweetscapes–El Paso through the eyes of Terrance Flores

The Art Avenue

June 8, 2017

El Paso Native Terrance Flores debuts first collection, Sweetscapes–El Paso Through the Eyes of Terrace Flores at The Art Avenue Gallery. Recreating Southwest landscapes, Flores uses soft colors and velvety brush strokes. His artwork primarily depicts Southwestern vegetation and animals.

Flores grew up sketching and observing his father paint Southwestern landscapes but he did not realize he had his father’s talent. “This past summer, I thought I would practice my brush strokes, but instead of letters I drew clouds, cacti, and animals,” said Flores.

A carpenter by trade, he now utilizes his graphic design background to conjure Post-Impressionist-inspired pieces with a Borderplex twist. He uses oils and paints on vintage panels such as boards or various appliances. His multi-dimensional approach involving the layering of colors exemplify movement, perspective and texture throughout his self-proclaimed graphic-contemporary artwork.

“When I first noticed Flores’s work, I was drawn into the use of colors and how each stroke created movement,” said Kimberly Rene’ Vanecek, owner of the Art Avenue Gallery. “I was surprised to learn he’s only been painting for less than a year. He’s a rare find.”

Flores’ work will be on display throughout the month of February.

Gallery

: SONY DSC

Past Exhibitions, Visual Artsabstract, Abstract Painting, dore, spiritual

Rhonda Doré Debuts New Series

The Art Avenue

June 7, 2017

Local artist Rhonda Dore´has garnered international attention for her abstract acrylic artwork. Dore´’s latest collection, Sighs Too Deep, currently on display at The Art Avenue,takes a turn from her usual style–recognized for her ability to collage scraps of paper into colorful acrylic designs–taking on a softer, lighter, dreamier tone. Sighs Too Deep premiered at The Art Avenue on Thursday, May 25.

“This series [Sighs Too Deep] is a double challenge for myself,” Dore´said. “Usually I work in saturated color. But I thought, what if I make it quieter?”

Acrylic paint dries rapidly, especially in the southwest desert, becoming a hard, plastic-like substance. The artist has to work quickly.

“But I wanted [Sighs Too Deep] to look soft,” Dore´said. “How I can make these paintings look contemplative and quiet?”

Throughout the entirety of the Sighs Too Deep collection, the brush strokes appear wispy, with a lighter color range compared to previous work.

“I wanted to see if I could make it whisper,” Dore´said. “I think I am getting there. [The paintings] have a very different feel [than past series], like veils of smoke, or waves of incense in church.”

“The paintings speak to me,” said Lynne DuMond, a viewer at the preview of the Sighs Too Deep collection. “To me, the paintings are full of faces, animals, and people. [Dore´’s] artwork speaks and appeals to everyone. That’s why I love Dore´.”

Dore´explains her inspiration for Sighs Too Deep centers around an indescribable feeling.

Psalm, acrylic with gold and silver leaf on canvas, 48″ x 24″

“We have all been enveloped by [the feeling] at one point or another,” Dore´ said. “The usual words are ‘lost in your work’ or ‘unaware of time.’ These paintings are evidence I have been in that state.”

Through soul-searching and prayer, Dore´named the collection on Romans 8:26. The biblical passage by Saint Paul says, “…for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words.”

“Making art is like prayer,” Dore´says. “I try and I have help to take it the rest of the way.”

Art may be a natural avenue of self-expression for Dore´now, but for many years she strove in a different direction.

“Art training was not the plan,” Dore´said. “Becoming a doctor or lawyer was. Still, I admired visual artists so much though. I became convinced I wasn’t capable of drawing or painting and settled for admiring those who did.”

Dore´graduated from The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) with a degree in mass communications with an advertising specialty. She became the Vice President and Group Creative Director at Sanders/Wingo Advertising in El Paso, TX. It wasn’t until 2001 that Dore´’s draw towards the arts began to surface.

Naxos, acrylic and collage on wood panel, 48″ x 24″

After taking a painting class at UTEP with a friend, her world took an unexpected turn. For a painting exercise, students were commissioned to paint a flip-flop. “It looked like the particular flip-flop!” said Dore´with a laugh. “I was astonished beyond description. A world fell open. I leaped in.”

Since then, Dore´has not looked back. Her work has received critical acclaim. Most noteably, Naxos, a Greek-inspired painting, was chosen for Acrylic Works 4, a survey of noteworthycontemporary acrylic paintings chosen from artists worldwide.

“We are only human,” Dore´says. “We can only get so far. I believe if we ask, God helps us with work like making art. The Spirit himself intercedes for us [through artwork] with sighs too deep for words.”

Dore´’s latest collection is on sale and viewable in store and online. Follow our Facebook and Instagram to stay updated!

Featuredart, kids, summer art camp

Art Camp on the Edge of Enrichment and Excitement

Savannah White

June 7, 2017

School is out.Summer is here.

What will your kids do with their free time?

Experience a summer filled with color! Art camp
is the answer to summer boredom. The Art Avenue Gallery Summer Camp 2017 will teach the basics of art, from watercolor to contemporary styles including abstract and street art and much more.

Art education isn’t just fun. It is educational. Art has the potential to expand a child’s horizons and enable them to see in a different light.

“You would be surprised how many people don’t know what primary colors are,” said Kimberly Vanecek who runs the art camp and is the owner of The Art Avenue. “I can’t tell you how excited I am to share art with the youth in the community and help build upon a foundation in the arts. The kids leave here with the basic knowledge of color theory and a broader artistic vocabulary and palette to share.”

Art education programs help foster creativity which in turn can lead to a multitude of benefits. According to Parents Magazine, investing in creativity, parents help children develop mentally, socially and emotionally. Creating art can boost a child’s ability to problem-solve in a myriad of ways says Mary Ann F. Kohl, author of Primary Art: It’s the Process, Not the Product.

The ability to manipulate a paintbrush or colored pencil can improve motor skills. Children dabble in science when they experiment with colors and techniques.

Feeling good while creating and collaborating creates pride in the work produced. This can boost self-confidence. When children experiment and feel free to make mistakes, they invent new ways of thinking. Thinking ‘outside the box’ breeds creativity. Artistic creations are born through problem-solving. According to the Washington Post, developing these skills are fundamental to success in any future career.

Recent research has shown participation in art education improves children’s abilities to concentrate and focus on other aspects of their lives says Kohl. “We are learning new words and meeting new friends,” said Ava Hernandez, 10, a student in the summer art camp. “Meeting new friends in my favorite part!”

The summer art camp provided by The Art Avenue and led by Vanecek allows children ages 6-13 to learn about art history and theory in tandem with physical projects which focus on the theme of the week.

“This program is intensive,” said Vanecek. “I teach them the history of art, instead of just how to paint. They learn about the artist. They learn the foundation of art.”

The art camp lasts for eight weeks from May 30- July 21 with morning and afternoon sessions.

Each week covers a different theme. Students can pick and choose the weeks they want to attend.
For more information, feel free to contact us at 915.231.4318 or info@theartave.com.

Featured, Visual Artsdiversity, emerging artist, her, women

Defining HER

by Savannah White

May 27, 2017

An emerging artist depicts and honors women from all walks of life at The Art Avenue Gallery. Local artist Hope Gerlay will be featured throughout the month of May. HER features work by Gerlay and her husband Carlos Estrada-Vega. This showcase focuses on femininity and the definition of a modern woman.

“HER, [is] the transitional woman from child to crone,” said Gerlay. “The feminine rising is what I wanted to portray, with all the pseudo-feminism and philosophies from around the world on being a woman.”

All of the artwork in HER ascribes to a certain aspect of womanhood. For example, one of her pieces,“Unmade,” illustrates the importance of self-care as represented by a bed in the painting.

“Her collection is filled with relatable meaning to me,” said Madeline Ordonez, a marketing and art major at Concordia University. “I immediately gravitated towards the “Unmade” piece. Hearing Hope explain how it related to her self-care prompted me to examine my own.”

When asked about the focus of her work, Gerlay replied, “When I was thinking about what subject matter to paint for the show and thinking about what my life has gone through, being a female and all it entails, to becoming a new kind of woman I was inspired to call [the collection] HER.”

Gerlay’s art education began at 11 with a private art teacher. Although she started her Bachelor’s of Fine Arts degree, she disliked the program and decided to change course. “So I left [school] and then took random classes here and there for refreshers,” Gerlay said.

Instead of following the traditional route and finishing school, she traveled internationally. “I went soul-searching in the Pacific North West, Paris then Jerusalem,” Gerlay said. “[And then] everything just fell into place.”

Now, Gerlay is an up-and-coming artist in the desert Southwest with an unusual creative process, “To begin… I like to ground myself in a meditative state by techniques to relax,” Gerlay said. “I search what’s deep inside and pull it out. Whether I am attracted to my surroundings, my memories, current agenda, or what I make up from my imagination. My second step is applying my medium with a spatula and just start with no outline as a tool. In other words, I set myself up to paint, and I paint.”

Gerlay believes that this process allows her to pull from within what is HER.

The collection presents a range of ethnically diverse women, representation that all women in the world are one. The medley of artwork depicts a Jewish-American woman, a pregnant woman and even Gerlay’s own mother.

“Each [piece] has told me their own tale, but the tale is for the viewer,” Gerlay said. “I think most of society’s viewpoint on modern art has to do with realism and how clear they can see the image displayed. What the majority of people perceive as skills are understood more as talent. In the contemporary art world the perception of a craft or skill if often interpreted as high art. It is difficult for a contemporary painter to present abstraction into the world which is given to perceive imagery from the cyber world.”

Using charcoal, brush and spatulas, Gerlay uses a medium patented by her husband Estrada-Vega, a renown artist made famous for his orchestrations of color incorporating magnetic individually painted cubes.

“I blend the medium with pigments to create whatever hue I want, apply with a spatula or brush depending on the thickness,” Gerlay said. “It is mainly an oil mixture with some limestone dust and it is quite a time-consuming process.”

As an emerging artist, she adheres to simple advice. “Follow your bliss-no matter what type of art you think you can do,” Gerlay said. “Don’t take the easy way, don’t listen to anybody but yourself, and if so, take opinions with a grain of salt.”

Gerlay’s collection, HER, will be displayed at The Art Avenue throughout May.

Extras, Featured, Performing Artsballet, El Paso City Ballet

Decade of Dance

The Art Avenue

October 14, 2016

Celebrating a Decade of Dance

Story by Kimberly Rene’ Vanecek

Photographs courtesy of Julie Benirschke

It’s been a challenging road for the El Paso City Ballet with low fundraising, finding suitable venues, and competing with other non-profits for support from local residents. But now, things are looking up for this group as they celebrate their 10-year anniversary with a sold out crowd at Get the Pointe Gala at Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino this Friday, October 14.

The event features international stars of the dance world, with an emphasis on global flavor. The evening opens with a performance from EPCB’s artistic director, Lisa Skaf, followed by a flamenco dance from New Mexico’s renowned collective ReVoZo, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, and duet from Axioma (a contemporary project out of Mexico City), danced by Jaqueline Lopez and Far Alonso, both from Compania Nacional de Danza.

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The sold-out gala is slated to begin at Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino with a dinner at 6:30 p.m. followed by performances at 7:30.

*El Paso City Ballet is not affiliated with any other dance organization.

For further information please go to www.elpasocityballet.org.

Featured, Past Exhibitions, Visual ArtsCoronado High School, The Art Avenue Gallery

The Big Takeover

The Art Avenue

July 12, 2016

Local high school seniors took over The Art Avenue Gallery in April, curating their own show and exhibiting over fifty pieces of artwork in several mediums from painting, drawing, design, sculpture and printmaking.

It was a elbow to elbow with family, friends and art lovers alike in support of the six Coronado students in the Baccalaureate Art Program making their debut into the art world. It’s All About the Journey was on display for three days at The Art Avenue Gallery, a contemporary gallery in downtown El Paso.

“This is the first time I’ve invited a group of students into my gallery and allowed them to take over. I was a bit apprehensive at first but they were open to ideas and experienced alternative options to exhibit their artwork and eventually curated their own show,” said Kimberly Rene’ Vanecek, gallery owner. “I was impressed with their ability not just as artists, but how well they worked together.” And the experience the exhibit provided the students was impressive. “I think it was an authentic experience for the students to see what it’s like to be a real artist and show in public rather than in a school setting,” said professor Terry Wright, for the International Baccalaureate Art Program.

Senior Anthony Adame, with the help of local sculptor Julio Sanchez De Alba, was able to work on some last minute adjustments in his life-sized piece created entirely of tape. “The form was falling down. It didn’t have enough support because I didn’t use durable tape,” said Adame.

“Sanchez De Alba’s studio is next to my gallery and I invited him to view the works. He was immediately drawn to the two sculpted pieces, and noticed one piece was struggling to remain in an upright position,” said Vanecek.

“I want to find out how we can make this sculpture remain verticle,” said Sanchez de Alba. Sanchez De Alba showed Adame how to support the piece with wire and additional tape.

Wright said the IB program has a set curriculum that is composed of three parts— a comparative study of three artists, a sketchbook/research book and lastly the exhibit of studio pieces. Each student was required to create 5-11 pieces of original artwork and was encouraged to explore a variety of topics in their work. “They pick most of their own assignments depending on what they are researching in their sketchbooks. Some pieces of their art are influenced by the artists that they wrote about in their comparative study of three artists,” said Wright.

Jacqueline Bradley has been in the art program for three years and says her exhibition of watercolors, printmaking and drawings took here through many emotional moments, especially after the loss of her father. “The images here on the left are my earlier pieces and depict a childlike quality of happiness. Losing my dad was hard. My favorite piece is an orange colored print of two hands together with a scripture from Psalm 18:2 ‘The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.’ The image is of my hand in my dad’s,” said Bradley.

“Having their own show gives the students ownership and helps them to feel proud about their work. Having parents and peers come to the show helps them too,” said Wright. When asked how the name for the exhibition came to fruition Wright easily replied, ”The name of the show came from my line I always say to them ‘It’s all about the journey’ in contrast to the Advanced Placement class that I also teach which is ‘It’s all about the end product.’”

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