Through the use of natural materials such as leaves and twigs, I create stencil effects by sponging or rolling paint, sprinkling powdered charcoal or spraying paint over the leaf or object. Alternatively, paint is applied directly to the leaf , twig or lino-cut and then pressed to the paper. These pieces are worked in stages. I usually have no preconceived idea of the outcome, which makes it all the more exciting. Many times, they are re-worked by adding additional layers or completely erasing what existed. This leaves a ghost image underneath and creates further texture.

Drawing is an essential part of the creative process for me. It is here that spontaneity and technical skill meet and form the essence of what is my work whether painting, printmaking or indeed, simply drawing.

Preston-Cutler Gallery; Christ Church, Hamilton, MA; May 2–29, 1999.

Of Water and Wood; Café Soho, Cambridge, MA; July 29 – October 28, 1997.

Between Heaven and Earth; McQuade Library Art Gallery; Merrimack College, North A
ndover, MA; October 20 – November 22, 1996.

(un)Natural Settings; Sargent Gallery; Newburyport, MA; August 9–18, 1996.


TWO-ARTIST EXHIBITIONS:
Inner Workings, Outer Substance; Ashwell Gallery; Beverly, MA; Dec. 11–22, 1996.

The Firehouse Center for the Arts; Newburyport, MA; April 8–27, 1992.


GROUP EXHIBITIONS/JURIED SHOWS:
Hallowed Grounds, Regional Juried Show; International Society, Tremont Gallery, Boston; September 16 – October 31, 2000.

SOUTHWORKS ’00 Juried Art Exhibition, Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation, Watkinsville, GA; Juror: Stephen Wicks, Chief Curator of Collections & Exhibitions, Knoxville Museum of Art; May 6 – June 18, 2000.

Twelfth National Drawing & Print Competitive Exhibition, Gormley Gallery College of Notre Dame, Baltimore, MD; Juror: Gary Sangster, Executive Director of The Contemporary Museum, Baltimore, MD; March 22 – May 10, 2000.

ArtsAround Boston Annual Exhibit 2000; Charlestown, MA; April 3 – 15, 2000; (Please see listing in ArtsAround Boston Annual Guide to Artists 2000).

It’s My Nature, National Juried Show, Fredericksburg Center for the Arts, Fredericksburg, VA; Juror: Trudi Van Dyke, Director Ellipse Art Gallery, Arlington, VA; September 27 – November 14, 1999, Winner First Place Award.

Annual National Small Works Competition & Exhibition, Leftbank Gallery, Salt Lake City, Utah; August 4 – 28, 1999.

Realism ’99, National Juried Show, Period Gallery, Omaha, NE; July 5 – 26, 1999.

5 Points of View, Citron-Stevens Gallery, Essex, MA; December, 1998; Five North Shore artists reinterpret the "Legacy"

Landscape and Still Life: A New Look, National Juried Exhibit, Downey Museum of Art; Downey, CA; November 22, 1997 – January 4, 1998.

61st Annual Midyear Exhibition, The Butler Institute of American Art; Youngstown, OH; June 29 – August 24, 1997.

Transformation: Death as Metaphor; National Juried Show, Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, IL; November, 1994;

35th Chautauqua National Exhibition of American Art, Chautauqua, NY; June 28 – July, 15, 1992. Winner Bush Industries, Inc. Award; Juror: Dr. Louis Zona, Executive Director of the Butler Institute of American Art. Exhibition Catalog.

National Juried Show, The Graphic Eye Gallery, Long Island, NY; May 1992.

University of North Dakota Witmer Art Center National Competition; April, 1992; Exhibition Catalog.


MEMBERSHIPS:
Cambridge Art Association; 1999, 2000
Women’s Caucus for Art, Boston Chapter; Co-President (2000/2001); Year 2000 Co-Chair International Women’s Day Exhibition, The Bunting Institute, Radcliffe College; Co-Chair Programs Committee (1999/2000), member Exhibitions Committee (1997).


GALLERY REPRESENTATION:
Ashwell Gallery, Beverly, MA; 1996–1998
Panache Gallery, Newburyport, MA and Ogunquit, ME; 1998–1999

Web site: www.rsrileyfineart.com