About

Nature, light and color were hindered by cataracts and retinitis pigmentosa from the beginning of my painting career, making my paintings dark and moody. After having the cataracts removed, the colors and brightness of nature and life around me became my guide and inspiration to move forward.   Even though the RP still keeps my peripheral vision limited, it does not limit my vision centrally. The thrill of seeing colors, lights, and atmospheric presence (shadows and light) inspired me to push the boundaries of acrylic painting to another level.

My brother, who was an artist and creator of stained glass windows, inspired a new journey in my current body of work. His windows were full of hope and light. Unfortunately his severe loss of vision and struggle with AIDS led to suicide. I have made it my journey to pursue and create a body of work in memory of his beautiful windows, and to celebrate my gift of renewed vision. My latest body of work is in reaction to experimenting with acrylic ink, using a tape process, expressive painting, and images inspired by memories of stained glass windows created by my brother and other artists. 

Painting, for me, is about the exploration of lines, colors, and compositions to create an image that moves the viewer and takes them on a journey.  Applying the acrylic ink in quick drawings, onto either blank canvas or over the top of expressively painted surfaces, helps me to create yet another artistic journey. This allows me to reach into the canvas and the markings to draw out the images that were created by the spontaneity of the lines and/or strokes of colors and shapes created by the ink and/or the paint under the ink. Applying paints in varying consistencies and/or wiping it away, also creates the illusion of stained glass. The movements and special effects created by these methods are what compel me to further the study of different techniques, such as the tape process. Applying painter’s tape randomly onto the painted surface and removing later, creates yet another style or spontaneous results. Some can be further changed by outlining the lines with acrylic markers.  The fragmentation and distortions from this process reminds me of the different views of nature, in trees, distance, night time and things that people take for granted.  I have found these restrictions in my vision have pushed me to explore even the smallest details up close. Using my phone or tablet to make the painted image smaller, allows me to examine and accentuate each and every part of the canvas. I like to refer to this as the keyhole effect. The phone or tablet surface enables me to further explore and maximize the overall flow of the painted surface. 

My journey of exploring different styles and techniques has given me an avenue to bring the art from under and above for the viewer to see in another altered perspective.

Connie Avery

315-335-3722
averyfinearts1@gmail.com

 

Show History & Awards

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

  • 2017 Kirkland Library, Clinton, NY

  • 2017 Abstract Expressions, Anatomy in Motion/Wellness Center, Clinton NY

  • 2017 Black River Systems Gallery Utica, NY

  • 2016 Empire State College, Syracuse, NY

  • 2016 Anatomy in Motion/Wellness Center, Clinton, NY

  • 2015 Studio PK 101 Gallery Show, Rome NY

  • 2015 As I See It Rome Art and Community Center, Rome NY

  • 2013 Springfield City Hall Gallery, Springfield, Oregon

  • 2001 Solo Graduate Show Empire State College, Utica, NY

DUO EXHIBITIONS  

  • 2003 Juried Art Show CNY Arts Council Gallery, Utica, NY

  • 2016 Women Art Show SUNY Polytechnic Institute Art Gallery, Utica, NY

GROUP SHOWS

  • 2018 Juried Art Show Passionate Focus/Illinois College of Optometry, Chicago, Illinois

  • 2017 Juried Art Show Art Ability/Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation, Malvern, Pennsylvania

  • 2017 Juried Art show Cazenovia Public Library, Cazenovia, NY

  • 2017 Watercolor Show Kirkland Art Center, Clinton, NY

  • 2017 Women Show The Tech Garden-Wise Building, Syracuse, NY

  • 2017 Printmaking (Steamroller) Munson Williams Proctor Institute, Utica NY

  • 2017 Juried Show Passionate Focus Illinois College of Optometry, Chicago Illinois

  • 2017 Juried Show Marshall B. Ketchum University, Ketchum, California

  • 2017 Juried Art Show Utica Library, Utica, NY

  • 2017 Juried Art Show Kirkland Art Center, Clinton, NY

  • 2016 Traveling Art Show Albany Blind Art Association, Albany, NY

  • 2016 Juried Art Show Marshall B. Ketchum University, Ketchum, California

  • 2016 Juried Art Show Passionate Focus/ Illinois College of Optometry, Chicago, Illinois

  • 2015 Traveling Art Show Albany Blind Art Association/Albany, NY

  • 2015 Gallery Art Show Kirkland Art Center, Clinton NY

  • 2015 Juried Art Show Passionate Focus/ Illinois College of Optometry, Chicago, Illinois

  • 2015 Juried Art Show Recycled Art Challenge Rome Art Center and Community Center, Rome, NY

  • 2014 Juried Art Show Passionate Focus/Illinois College of Optometry, Chicago, Illinois

  • 2013 Gallery Show Utica Public Library Gallery, Utica, NY

  • 2012 Gallery Show The New Zone Gallery, Eugene, Oregon

  • 2012 Gallery Show Eugene Storefront At Gallery, Eugene, Oregon

  • 2005 Juried Art Show Munson Williams Proctor Institute, Utica, NY

  • 2005 Juried Art Show Rome Art and Community Center Rome, NY

AWARDS

  • 2005 Honorable Mention Munson Williams Proctor Art Institute, Utica, NY Painting

  • 2005 Honorable Mention Rome Art and Community Center, Rome, NY Photography

  • 2005 First Place Rome Art and Community Center, Rome, NY Black and White Photography

  • 2014 Jury Award Passionate Focus, Illinois College of Optometry, Chicago, Illinois

  • 2015 Honorable Mention Studio PK101, Rome, NY Painting

  • 2016 Jury Award Passionate Focus, Illinois College of Optometry, Chicago, Illinois Painting

  • 2016 First Place Passionate Focus, Illinois College of Optometry, Chicago, Illinois Poster

  • 2017 First Place Utica Library, Utica, NY Abstract Painting

  • 2018 First Place Passionate Focus, Illinois College of Optometry, Chicago, Illinois Poster