A reception celebrating the recent work of artist and art critic Ron Schira will be held at Studio B, 39 E. Philadelphia Ave. in Boyertown, PA, on Friday, Aug. 15, from 5 p.m.to 8 p.m.
Schira’s exhibit, ‘Untitled Abstractions: Gouache and Colored Pencils on Paper, ‘ offers an investigation into abstract art using modest materials with an economy of means. The abstractions combine two methods, one of painting and the other of drawing on paint. The paper is recycled cardboard with bits of plant fiber for the smaller pieces and a thicker variety of newsprint for the drawn works.
Schira explains, ‘My foremost intention is to play, start at point A, then move to B, and so forth, making choices along the way and creating what I want to see.’
‘The same applies to every work. Most of it is formal and self-revelatory, but the drawings have a need for complicity between the painted and patterned surfaces that the energy of the background harmoniously joins with the pencil-drawn designs and vice verse,’ he continues. ‘The newer pieces explicitly lead toward that goal.’
Paper has become very important to Schira for its intimacy and natural feel and for the lack of caustic solvents often associated with other art forms. While he hasn’t ‘sworn off’ painting in oil for good, ‘for now, paper feels good,’ he concludes.
Schira has been the lead art critic for The Reading Eagle newspaper for 19 years with over 1000 articles published. He has written reviews for RawVision magazine and Art Matters among others as well as curated shows for Albright College’s Freedman Gallery.
Schira has been exhibiting his own art for 45 years with numerous shows to his credit and co-hosts the New Arts Alive television show on BCTV for the New Arts Program. Schira was selected in 2002 by Columbia University as one of the 500 best art correspondents in the country.
‘Studio B is pleased to showcase Ron’s work. He is a man of many talents and styles,’ offers Jane Stahl, Director of Community Relations at Studio B. ‘Fans may appreciate his critiques from an entirely different perspective by enjoying a small piece of his own artistic journey.’
Schira’s work is featured at Studio B through Sept. 13.
