Contemporary artist IRMA CERESE presents painterly landscapes
which sometimes border on the abstract, yet are often described as
evocative, expressing a sense of time and place. Her primary focus
is on color relationships, evident in vivid canvases that are defined
by lush, mysterious darks, vibrant chromatic contrast, or subtle com-
binations of glowing hues. Inspired by the tactile qualities of paint,
she uses both brush and palette knife to apply acrylic in thick layers
and thin glazes, often scraping into the surface for emphasis.
Primarily square in format, these are unique, self-framed paintings.
After formal schooling at the Academy of Art and the School of the Art
Institute of Chicago, Cerese moved to New York City, where she main-
tained a studio until 1985. During that phase she was active in artist-run
ventures and exhibited in several commercial galleries as well. She was
also employed in the health insurance industry for some of that period.
Following a move to the Boston area, she spent time away from art-
related activities until she was able to devote her energies exclusively
to painting again. She currently lives and works in southeastern
Massachusetts.
Although landscape provides a concrete point of reference both for her
and the viewer, her interest is not in creating a window on the world.
It is to transform what was seen into a visually compelling image in
its own right. Although nature-based, the work is primarily formal. The
universal elements of landscape - trees, sky, ground - are simplified
more and more and chance paint events lend an improvisational
complexity. "Painting becomes a journey of visual discovery as the
image develops almost in its own way." says the artist.
She is currently represented by Landing Gallery, Rockland, ME,
and Woodbury, NY, Alpers Fine Arts, Andover, MA, Chameleon Arts,
Newburyport, MA, Vermont Artisan Design & Gallery 2, Brattleboro, VT,
and Jules Place, Boston, MA. She maintains juried membership in
Cambridge Art Association, South Shore Art Association and
Cape Cod Art Association in Massachusetts.
Her award - winning work has been seen in juried, invitational,
group and solo exhibitions and is included in private,
corporate and institutional collections.
Home
