Exhibition Featuring Oil Painter Hai-Ou Hou and Pastel Artist Mary Pritchard
Vibrant surfaces unite the work of oil painter Hai-Ou Hou and pastel artist Mary Pritchard in their two-person exhibition, “Celebrating the Surface,” at South Street Art Gallery, 5 South Street, Easton, MD 21601, from July 3 through August 30. The Gallery Walk reception to meet the artists is July 11, 5-8 p.m., (postponed one week because of the July 4 holiday.)
Hai-Ou Hou is known for her expressive brushwork and dynamic compositions depicting figures, portraits and landscapes. Originally from Beijing where she studied at the Central Institute of Art and Design, she received her MFA from Towson University. She is owner and director of Chesapeake Fine Art Studio where she teaches and hosts workshops conducted by some of the best-known national artists.
Mary Pritchard focuses on rural landscapes, especially the farms and rivers of the Eastern Shore, using the pastel medium’s flexibility to create surface treatments that range from transparent to opaque. In addition to her popular barn images, she is developing a new series of studio pastels based on river grasses. She received a BA in studio art from Mount Holyoke College and has masters degrees in both art and journalism.
Both artists are veterans of numerous plein air events including Plein Air Easton. Hai-Ou Hou continues to participate in regional and national competitions while teaching at her Kent Island studio. Mary Pritchard now limits most of her plein air activities to mentoring students.
For additional information contact: Gail Clark-Brodt, southstreetartg@aol.com, 410-770-8350, www.southstreetartgallery.com or Mary Pritchard, 410-708-5829, www.southstreetartgallery.com
Hai-Ou Hou, "Bearded Man," oil
Mary Pritchard, "Patchwork #2," pastel