The Closest Places is a solo exhibition featuring the watercolors of Matt Connors. The show opens February 1 at YoloArts’ Gallery 625 in Woodland.
Connors is a New England native and retired endocrinologist. He traveled extensively during his years practicing endocrinology, and his career as a professor in medicine and research. Following retirement, Connors has pursued his passion for watercolor painting, completely immersing himself in art. He has studied watercolor at the Brooklyn Museum of Art, Oxford University, and spent five years studying with the master artist, Jerry Stitt.
Connors’ blogspot, A Brush with Color, contains his written observations about his local and international painting adventures. Many of these thoughts will be featured in the exhibit alongside his paintings.
“Matt has a deep connection to whatever he paints and through his engaging narratives he brings the viewer that much closer to his work,” said Janice Purnell, Gallery 625 curator’
Connors’ paintings have been juried into the All Cape Cod Art Show, as well as California en plein air painting shows in Winters, Woodland, Sacramento, and Crockett. Among many awards, he most recently won the Purchase Award at the 43rd Watercolor West Juried Exhibition in Brea, California.
In his artist statement Connors says:
“I call this exhibit ‘The Closest Places’ because I paint all over the country as well as in foreign lands. These paintings are closer to home including some from the Bay Area. Since retiring, I have completed hundreds of sketches and paintings of my favorite places in and around Northern California.”
Connors likens watercolor painting to sport.
“It’s like golf – the fewest strokes win as the details are in the viewers’ imaginations.”
The artist will be giving a talk and gallery tour beginning at 6 p.m. during the opening reception, 5:30-8 p.m. Friday, February 1, coinciding with the downtown Woodland First Friday Art Walk, and hosted by YoloArts board member, Sara Pereida. In addition to the acoustic jazz music of Jon Spivack, the reception will offer a watercolor art activity for all ages.
Beginning in 2019, Gallery 625 will be hosting exhibitions and receptions every other month. New exhibitions will open on the First Fridays of February, April, June, August, October, and December.
The Closest Places continues at Gallery 625 through April 2.
Gallery 625 is located at 625 Court Street in Woodland, in Yolo County’s Erwin Meier Administration building and is open Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., and by appointment. For more information contact YoloArts at 530-309-6464.