MOTHERS & DAUGHTERS: One Family. 4 generations of women. 100 years of art.

Weekend RBG hours

The Red Brick Gallery is open Fridays, 1-6 PM; Saturdays, 11 AM to 7 PM; and Sundays, 12 noon to 5 PM at 17 Main Street, Foxburg, PA 16036. While at the Red Brick Gallery for the Mothers & Daughters exhibit, be sure to save time to shop for that special gift from the first floor offerings of talented Cooperative Artists from the region.

 

Meet the Artists

 

Ruth Coy

Biography

Calvin Coolidge once praised Smith College student Ruth Cushman Coy for doing “remarkably pucky work”…“leaving mere men in the shade.”

It was the roaring twenties, and 19-year-old Ruth grabbed her dual loves of science and art with both hands.  She taught science at the local high school for 18 years.   Free time was spent with camera in hand, hiking the hills of upstate New York.  Eventually her love of photographing the wildlife blossomed into portraits, a home developing studio, and a second business.  She passed in 1971, leaving a strong legacy of science art and nature appreciation to her family.

Artist Statement

The family, unfortunately, does not have any quotes, as she passed many years ago.  Both Annette and Karen were blessed to have her in their lives through our teens.  She spent many hours showing them how to take photographs and develop pictures in her private photo lab.

She was an intelligent and fascinating woman that loved her photography work.  It wasn’t until many years later that her granddaughters found a few paintings and sketches that she had done, highlighting the artistic talent that she passed onto the rest of them.

Carolyn Coy Kingman

Biography

Ruth Cushman Coy’s daughter, Carolyn Coy Kingman (1933 to 1996) had her mother’s independent nature and intellectual drive as well as her fascination with the arts.  She initially channeled her scientific side into studying and then teaching the new field of data processing in upstate New York.  Time away from the computer was spent outdoors exploring, skiing, and camping. She began oil painting during this time.

Upon her move to Captiva Island, Florida she embraced the bright flow of watercolors.  Much of her time was spent wandering the beautiful island to paint en plein air.

Artist Statement

(Quotes from a 1994 article on her third exhibit on Captiva Island, FL)

I started painting when I was four, and I shouldn’t have stopped.  Art has always been my first love.

When we moved from the Adirondacks to Captiva Island I discovered a lot more reds and purples in shadows.  I started out by splashing some color on paper.  Then I just let the paintings become.  Should I call it my ‘Zen’ of painting?  I feel like I’ve really let my paintings become what they want to be.

In essence, in any painting you want to share your feel for the environment or subject.  If you can get that across, then you know you’ve captured the feeling.

 

Annette Kingman

Biography

Carolyn Coy Kingman’s love of art was passed down to her two daughters Annette and Karen.

The legacy of combining intellectual pursuits with creativity and a love of nature marks Annette Kingman’sartistic career path.  She delves into the history of art — its construction, inspiration, societal power, and the astonishing tales of the artists.  She is a lecturer at the Univ of New Mexico, as well as other locations. Specializing in oils and pen & ink, Annette has been teaching art to adults for two decades.

Annette is the founder and leader of The Perspective Art Group.  Her art hangs in a variety of places in her home state of New Mexico.  She revels in bringing emotion to her paintings.  It can be the mystery or beauty of nature but most often it is the expressions captured in her animal portraits.

Artist Statement

I first started painting as a hobby while getting my degree.  My studies lead me first to English and history, but the lure of creating had me experimenting in  batik, stained glass, encaustics, traditional pottery and raku.

As life took me to numerous states I continued to study art, and to appreciate the great variety of colors in each landscape.  Currently I live in New Mexico where I vacillate between oil painting and pen and ink — depending on what I hope to achieve in an individual piece.

The art of provoking an emotion —- a smile, peacefulness, wondering, or a yearning to see more — that is my goal in art.    If you stop for a moment and feel the piece, then it has achieved its purpose.

Karen Mortland

Biography

The synergy of science, creativity and structure is well illustrated in the work of Red Brick member artist Karen Kingman Mortland.  Her architectural company, Mortland Planning and Design, specializes in pathology laboratory design.  As she winds down the business end of her life, she has more time for her loves of travel, gardening, and acrylic painting.

Favoring scenes with intense lighting, she captures moments from her travels, her garden, and her love of nature bringing the viewer into that moment.  Her architectural training is reflected in the intensely beautiful detail of her ultra-realistic art.

Artist Statement

“I have always loved art and am generally self taught.  I took a few classes in painting and sketching during high school and college.  My first real painting was my husband’s Morgan automobile.  We were at a car show and looking at work by car artists.  I told him I could do that, but he was doubtful.  I rose to the challenge.

I look for interesting lighting and try to capture the feel.  I love the bright colors and dark shadows.  It doesn’t matter to me whether it is an animal, a flower, a glass of wine, a person, or an architectural feature.

There is a lot of detail in my paintings, which, no doubt, comes from my architectural background.  My favorite parts of any painting are adding in those little details and the final highlighting of the dark and light features.”

 

Nissa Rappoport

Biography

The magic of Karen Mortland’s daughter and Red Brick member artist, Nissa Rappoport’s creations transcend any individual field of art.  She holds a degree from Ursuline College, and one from the Fashion Institute of New York.  Her company, The Gilded Troll, carries clothing, custom material, home goods and jewelry.

Her vast collection of two-and-three-dimensional art blends the practical to the wildly fantastical. It is art that reflects both her heritage of scientific precision and love of nature in a unique dance of the imagination.

Artist Statement

“When I was a young girl, I had another relative tell me that I had no talent and couldn’t be an artist. My early artistic career was a strong rebellion against that, experimenting with various forms of art – from fashion, painting, digital, mixed media and jewelry. These days I use art as a way to keep sane and occasionally torture my husband and children.”

ARRIVE EARLY & EXPLORE FOXBURG!

While in Foxburg, enjoy a walk along the Allegheny River trail or rent bicycles or enjoy a pontoon ride with Foxburg Tours in the morning or early afternoon!  Have lunch at the Allegheny Grille with seating overlooking the Allegheny River, or for more casual fare, at Foxburg Pizza with salads, sandwiches and pizza.

Before the concert and exhibit open, have a wine tasting or enjoy wine flights on the newly remodeled patio at Foxburg Wine Cellars.

Make a weekend of it and spend the night in Foxburg in the lovely Foxburg Inn

Or if the Foxburg Inn is sold out, stay up the river at the Emlenton bed and breakfast, The Barnard House.

The 2024 season Red Brick Gallery and Gift Shop hours are Fridays 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM, Saturdays 11:00 PM –7:00 PM, and Sundays 12:00 noon – 5:00 PM.