The Sunriver Library is host to an exhibit of three local artists with an emphasis on bright, bold color. MaryLea Harris, painter and Bob and Sandy Lercari, fused glass artists, will show their work
September 9-October 27.
Abstract acrylic painter Harris is known for her whimsical, brightly-colored Happy Little Leaves and Happy Little Trees paintings around Bend as well as for her latest abstract Map series. Themes from nature appear in her work in the form of abstracted leaves, roots, bark and natural rock formations with drips, brush strokes, and layers of scraped paint, plaster and paper. A native of Virginia, Harris’ formal education includes receiving degrees in studio art and art history with an emphasis in painting and printmaking from Sweet Briar College. She later earned her master of fine arts degree in painting from Virginia
Commonwealth University.
Harris relocated to Bend in 2013 with her family and resumed her full time art career. When she was teaching kids, they asked her what her favorite color was…she always said “rainbow.” Harris’ love of rainbows and bright colors are evident in her whimsical work. Using a bold palette, she creates a wide range of work in acrylic and mixed media art. Her personal motto, Authenticity > Perfection, is evident in her abstract work as she explores new ideas, materials and techniques.
The layers in her work allude to the interplay between positives and negatives in space and life. She focuses on the interplay of space as she reflects on her own positive and negative growth experiences in the past few years.
Sandy and Bob Lercari are a husband and wife fused glass artist team. They recently moved to Bend from Maui. Their glass art uses a variety of techniques to create a wide range of pieces that combine art with functionality. Their pieces are unique and original, capturing the vibrant colors of their surroundings in nature that have inspired them.
Bold color is characteristic of all their art. Sandy has been an artist for nearly forty years creating art in multiple mediums. She began as a functional potter in Los Angeles, California, where she was born. She then ventured into painting, which included oils, acrylics as well as pastels. Sandy expanded her artistic talent to include kiln-formed glass in 2007. She loves glass for its boldness of color, reflection and transparency. It has opened up boundless joy for her as have the endless possibilities of
fused glass.
She feels she has now come full circle… back to using a kiln to create functional pieces as her expression of art.
Bob was an engineer and program manager for over forty years. He has always admired Sandy’s artwork, assisting her on weekends and thereby learning by observing the techniques and processes used to create fused glass. When he retired in 2012, he immediately jumped into creating his own style of glass art.
Bob’s work integrates his engineering experience with art…as a left brain/right brain “meeting of the minds.”
Bob and Sandy show their work at the Tumalo Art Company in Bend’s Old Mill District.
The Sunriver Library is open Tuesday through Friday, 10am-6pm, Saturday 10am-5pm. All are welcome to reception for the artists September 30, 3:30-5pm. Address is 56855 Venture Lane, Sunriver.