Blog – The Christina Gallery

Lillia Frantin’s Windows of Summer

Sailboats and Seashells by Lillia Frantin — “Sailboats and Seashells”

When I look at a painting by Lillia Frantin, I immediately smile and think of summer. A table set with a brightly patterned cloth, fresh cut flowers, and a bowl of juicy fruit in front of an open window says summer to me. It’s as if you can feel the warm ocean breeze softly come through the window as you watch the boats sail on the horizon. I want to spend a carefree afternoon in front of that window.

I first met Lillia in the late 1990s and was instantly attracted to her imaginative paintings. We reconnected, and in 2012, she formally joined the gallery. The last ten years have been year-round bursts of happiness. Lillia has kept herself youthful through her painting. How could she not be with her color palette?

Lillia’s playful use of vivid jewel-toned paints, along with her expressive brushwork, are characteristics that appeal to her followers as well. Her approach is naturally effervescent and in keeping with the Modernists, whom she studied while earning her master’s degree from Pratt Institute. These artists included Cezanne, Van Gogh, Bonnard, and Matisse. Of course, the latter, Matisse, famously embraced the open window theme and painted them extensively during his career, particularly while visiting the Mediterranean later in his life.

This open window with a breezy view of the ocean filled with sailboats has been a favorite theme in Lillia’s work. In the painting, “Summer Still Life with Sailboats,” her spontaneous brushwork dances across the canvas as her paint pulls together the bouquets of hydrangea, geraniums, and primrose. You can see the ocean and sailboats through a window flanked by lemon chiffon shutters.

Lillia says: “in many of my paintings, there is a double theme of still-life with bountiful fruits and flowers, placed at an open window filled with sky, sea, and billowing sailing boats. This theme presents two kinds of beauty; the intimate interiors we create, live in, and love, and looking out to the endless natural, everchanging world beyond. Inside and outside, Matisse often used this open window theme to show man and nature as one, expressing duality and unity. In my art, I’ve come to love a theme that allows color, emotion, freedom, and movement to become a harmonious experience of joy and pleasure, for me and hopefully for the viewer.”

I believe Lillia has done just that!

Please click to view more paintings by Lillia Frantin.

Lillia painting en plein air in her backyard

The Christina Gallery Welcomes Kelly Carmody to the gallery

We are excited to welcome classically trained artist Kelly Carmody to the gallery. Kelly grew up in Topsfield, MA, and attended the Massachusetts College of Art in the mid-1990s. She furthered her studies at the Art Students League in New York City and the studio of Numael Pulido (1939-2022), where he taught her how to convey light on form. This understanding of how to portray light in a painting is fundamental to Kelly’s work. Pulido’s wife, Shirley Pulido (1932-2020), was also a tremendous influence. She taught Kelly how to use value and temperature relationships to create balance and interest in her paintings.

"Light on the Cove" by Kelly Carmody — “Light on the Cove” by Kelly Carmody

“I am inspired by the formal techniques of the Old Masters, and my work transports the traditional genres of portraiture and the still life into the contemporary realm. My dedication to the understanding of principles of classical painting—composition, simplification of masses, manipulation of value and color—informs my process. Whether working on large-scale portraiture or more intimate still lifes, I strive to create compelling depictions of everyday subjects.”

During the Winter of 2022, Kelly began a new series of dancers and people socializing. Kelly says, “there was a yearning to be together with people again in a way that did not feel self-conscious. Dancing was the best way I could show to express that.”

"Dancing" by Kelly Carmody — “Dancing” by Kelly Carmody

We look forward to introducing Kelly’s paintings to you on your next visit to the gallery. Click here to view her paintings and to read more about Kelly Carmody.

Edgartown through the eyes of American Impressionist John C. Traynor

“South Water Street, Edgartown” – in progress

Edgartown’s charming Hob Knob recently invited John C. Traynor to stay with them as part of their Artists in Residences. During his stay, John painted their lovely courtyard, which now hangs in the boutique hotel. He spent the rest of his trip painting en plein air street views in and around Edgartown.

About his stay, John says, “I enjoyed staying at the Hob Knob. The staff was friendly and helpful. It was nice being a short walk from the center of town to paint. I didn’t have to worry about parking and in walking distance of the many wonderful restaurants.” [Read more…] about Edgartown through the eyes of American Impressionist John C. Traynor

E. J. Paprocki Inspired by Martha’s Vineyard

E. J. painting on a cloudy day in Edgartown

Impressionist E. J. Paprocki, who joined the gallery in 2020, recently visited Martha’s Vineyard to paint “en plein air” or in the open air. It was his first visit to Martha’s Vineyard, and he promises it will not be his last! “Martha’s Vineyard was, in a word, inspiring. Never have all the visual elements I like to incorporate into my paintings come together in a single location. No editing was needed – I painted what I experienced.”

Elizabeth Mumford (1949 – 2020)

It is with immense sadness that we share the news of the passing of Elizabeth Mumford on September 13, 2020. For more than ten years, Liz fought a difficult battle against cancer. She remained hopeful and never gave in, but eventually, her body could not take anymore. We have sent our sympathies to Liz’s son, Sam, and her family.

With You Everyday is a Picnic by Elizabeth Mumford — “With You Everyday is a Picnic” by Elizabeth Mumford (1949-2020)

Liz joined the gallery in 2003, and her whimsical folk art paintings were admired by many. Her paintings were very distinctive with their black borders, gold scallop corners, and clever phrases in red. Liz loved the relationship between folk art and storytelling, a pastime she enjoyed, and its nostalgic connection to simpler times.

The Christina Gallery welcomes internationally admired artist E. J. Paprocki to the gallery

We are excited to welcome internationally admired artist E. J. Paprocki to the gallery. E. J. was born in Chicago and picked up his first paintbrush when he was seven years old. His style is in the Impressionists’ manner and prefers painting plein air, where he captures the true spirit of the moment. He also enjoys the interaction he has with people while they pass by him painting on location.

William R. Davis’ Nocturnal Paintings

When you hear the name William R. Davis, his historically accurate marine paintings come to mind. And rightfully so, he is one of the leading contemporary marine painters currently working in this country. His success is attributed to his love of art history, understanding his subject through extensive research, while capturing the light and the teeniest of subtle details.

However, since the late 1990s, Davis has also had an interest in painting plein air landscapes. His friendship with fellow artists, Joe McGurl and Don Demers, both well-known landscape painters brought on this interest. The pair would travel around New England to paint outdoors, and Davis, one for always wanting to challenge himself, decided to give painting outdoors a try. Not only did he enjoy being outside and away from the studio, but he also was very good at capturing in the moment the essence of the landscape.

Lifting Fog by William R. Davis — “Lifting Fog” by William R. Davis

The Christina Gallery welcomes Janet Stapinski Greco to our new home!

We are excited to welcome Impressionist Janet Stapinski Greco to our new home. She enjoys creating oil paintings of her passions – flowers, landscapes, seascapes, and most recently, interiors. Janet began drawing at an early age and has always had a strong desire to create art. Born and raised in Connecticut, she moved to Pennsylvania in her early teens, where she attended the Shadyside Center for the Arts in Pittsburgh.

Janet is now a Signature Member of the American Impressionist Society, as well as a member of the Oil Painters of America.

The Drawing Room by Janet Stapinski Greco — “The Drawing Room” by Janet Stapinski Greco

Exquisite Shells: The Art of Sailors Valentines at the Cahoon Museum of Art

Last week I spent a day away from the gallery and traveled to the Cape, specifically to the Cahoon Museum of American Art in Cotuit, to see their summer exhibition: Exquisite Shells: The Art of Sailors Valentines. I had been there a month ago to deliver a large sailors valentine by our longtime gallery artist Sandi Blanda and knew that I would want to come back once the exhibition was open to the public.

Curated by the Cahoon’s director Sarah Johnson, Ph.D., the exhibition traces the history of this unique seashell craft from its 19th-century beginnings to the current day. One of the first valentines on view is documented from the 1840s and was purchased in 1848 by Captain Thomas H. Lawrence of Falmouth, Massachusetts while he was passing through Barbados. Upon his return home from sea, he presented it to his bride to be, Mercy.

Celebrating our 42nd season in our new home at 5 Winter Street

June has arrived and so has the start of our 42nd season here in Edgartown on the island of Martha’s Vineyard. We are now open in our new home at 5 Winter Street, which coincidentally is the same location we opened the gallery in 1977. We have come full circle and are enjoying seeing familiar faces as they come to visit.

5 Winter Street by David Bareford — “5 Winter Street” by David Bareford

Though our new location is smaller, we like to say “cozy,” we are still very fortunate to represent the most talented group of artists. They have been busy painting for this season, and we are excited to share their new works with you.

Fi Katzler – Provence & Beyond

Fi Katzler was born on Malta, an island in the Mediterranean Sea and grew up in the county of Hampshire on the southern coast of England. In 2008 she moved to Aix-en-Provence with her family and has never tired of the stunning Provence backdrop nor the light that has been inspirational to many artists, including Cezanne and Van Gogh.

Summertime with Lillia Frantin

Lillia Frantin is a teacher, painter and art historian living on Cape Cod. She first minored in art history before gaining her master’s degree from Pratt Institute in 1968. She was a professor of Painting and Modern Art History for over twenty years, painting and exhibiting professionally in New York, California, New Mexico and on Cape Cod.

While she visited the island to drop off her latest paintings at the gallery, she sat down to answer a few questions.

We started by asking Lillia if her work has changed over the course of her career. Because she has been painting for over 50 years, this was a rather challenging question. Her painting style has remained consistent throughout her career. Her painting style evolves around her use of color and the freshness of her strokes, elements that have always been prevalent in her work. With time, her voice and purpose have developed.