Paint, photography and print meet at Fusion

By Amy Diaz
HippoPress.com

There's a hip exhibit at Fusion this month displaying the work of painter Liz Greene, printmaker Joe De Vitto and photographer Aime Groulx.

Greene paints skyscapes, and this is obviously her favorite thing to do. She feels that skies are bodies of their own, creating their own expression of spirit. Greene works on five or six paintings at a time, deftly creating mood from gesture and pure ultramarine blue pigment. Her largest work in the show "Mackalester's Opening" is a robust expression of pure joy. Hidden near a window is a painting of a figure holding a guitar. This painting contains sketchy washes of muted color, drips and runs. While her skyscapes are lovely, there is a deeper meaning in the figure painting. This may be an avenue for Greene to explore.

Joe De Vitto, printmaker and digital artist, creates intelligent and ambitious work. His fluid motions of pen and ink paintings are digitally altered to create a sense of harmony, balance and intrigue.

De Vitto's "Victoria," a work resembling Japanese anime, vibrates with vitality-her flaming hair a crown for her heroic profile. Anime on a grand scale, such as Roy Lichtenstein's "comic strip" series from the 1960s, might be an exciting style for De Vitto to consider. "Illupus," a digital photo of a breathtakingly eerie cemetery sculpture, could be the beginning of a series of explorations into this type of artwork.

Aime Groulx's photos are moody, somewhat ethereal and well-executed. Groulx sometimes repeats the image in a series, adding different layers to the image and give it complex meaning. The photograph of the reclining figure and the portrait of the young woman are lovely. But Groulx's mixed media painting in the show is a mature, well-composed abstraction. It is a delight of watercolor and found material and is the best painting in the show.

Jazz music by Sound, Inc. provided a welcome addition to the Oct. 11 opening reception. The combo of keyboard, bass guitar and drums manned by three 14-year-olds was terrific. Not only did they hit the right notes, they held onto them and coolly squeezed them for every drop.

Artist Fusion Exhibit runs through Nov. 11. Fusion is located at 967 Elm St. Call 647-4344 for more information.

Amy Diaz can be reached at hippo@hippopress.com