Opening Reception for a debut solo exhibition featuring the paintings of Janel.

Janel
Configurations
October 9th – 30th
Opening Reception October 9th
6:30pm – 8:30pm

Solas Studio joyfully presents Configurations, the first solo exhibition by New York (and neighborhood) native Janel, following her participation in several group shows with us.

This exhibit of ten oil paintings of varying sizes features figurative arrangements in (mostly) groups of five and under. Janel’s universe is, as she puts it, “Not for the beige of heart.”

Her recognizable hand, with its bold lines, bright colors, and strong compositions is distinctly “Janel”. Each piece draws the eye with its wall power, inviting the viewer’s gaze to travel along its undulating lines and enter into the story they might read between them.

All the works in this exhibition are oil on canvas. Some depict stylized representations of people the artist has encountered in her life. Others may be recognizable as characters or celebrities in pop culture. But rather that present them in the more expected or typical “pop art” style, Janel, whose inspirations include Matisse, Kirchner, and Picasso, chooses to go in a more expressive/impressionist/cubist route.

Her aim, she says, is to make works that despite representing life and situations in this present century, would nevertheless look at home on the wall of the legendary art champion Gertrude Stein.