Oasis Gallery Presents...

Expressive Subtleties of Texture

Featured Artist: Mia LaBerge

Mia LaBerge, featured artist at OASIS Gallery for June and July, fell in love with oil painting in her first studio class at Virginia Commonwealth University. She uses oil paint because of its expressive qualities. She particularly admires what it enables her to convey using its color saturation, transparency and subtleties of texture.

LaBerge's style leans toward romantic realism. Some pieces are overglazed with thin layers of paint; in others she makes an impact with a single brush stroke. Her subject matter reflects her surroundings.

Her early work demonstrated her skill in portraiture and her sensitivity to her subjects. Now she paints traditional scenes of Shenandoah Valley life, such as views of Massanutten Peak, a horse pasture or a chicken yard, infusing them with her own values. Her many views of Massanutten Peak are inspired by seeing the peak from her own back yard-- in all seasons, at all times of day, and in all weather. These paintings are breathtaking.

LaBerge says: "I want to convey harmony of nature and animals and to give the viewer the feeling of serenity that these surroundings bring."

LaBerge is her own best, or worst, critic. All of her paintings are done from photographs which she takes. Although she likes composing with the camera and catching the light when it is "just right", her current goal is to purchase equipment that will allow her to paint outside directly from nature.

Born in Minnesota, LaBerge won her first award for art at age four. Her most recent was one of the Art Council of the Valley's premiere mini-grants. An alumnus of VCU and JMU she has taught elementary art students in Loudoun County and at Hunter McGuire School.

Visit Mia at her web site: www.artandjunk.com/

LaBerge's work can be viewed at OASIS Gallery, 103 S. Main St. through August 2. OASIS will host an opening reception on June 4th from 5-7pm. Leta Hilton of Classique Designs will speak on collecting original art to use in your home or office interior design. This is part of the Art of Collecting series which is supported by a grant from the Arts Council of the Valley. The reception is free and open to the public.

OASIS Gallery

103 S. Main Street (at the corner of Water and Main St)
Harrisonburg VA 22801
540-442-8188
www.shencouncilarts.org Rockingham County

Thanks for reading,
      Betty Kline

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