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Gail
Ferris - Abstract expressionism derived from sea kayaking and Alexander
Calder |
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15” x 11” Original
Watercolors on paper |
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May be purchased at $50.00
each unframed |
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gaileferris@hotmail.com |
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Balance |
Contrasts Within |
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Expectations |
Into the Stars |
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Long Hills |
Overhead |
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Parallel Convections |
Quasi Local |
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Shadows |
Sun and Movement |
About the Artist - Gail Ferris |
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Gail E. Ferris, 1 Bowhay Hill, Stony Creek, CT 06405 phone 1 203 481 4539, E-mail Gaileferris@hotmail.com |
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Abstract Watercolorist, videographer and photographer |
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My abstract expressionism derives from exposure to Alexander Calder's mobiles, which my elementary school art teacher showed to us and discussed extensively. Alexander Calder lived in Woodbury Connecticut, as did I during my childhood. I was especially inspired by the mobile, which I saw at the Yale Art Gallery hanging in the entrance in the 1950's and '60's. I was intrigued by the mobile's relation to space, it's purity and endless spatial changeability |
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My inspiration derives from my endless fascination with how objects move through air and water. How birds fly, flying, sea kayaking, human powered boat, multi-hull sailing and design stimulates my imagination. I moved to Stony Creek 1975 where I could explore being on the water in a kayak enjoying the interaction of my kayak with waves and currents finding kayaking to be a form of ballet I explore brush and ink, as an extension of watercolor and a direct vector of my subconscious on paper happening as instantaneously as a wave on the water passes by. |
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I began painting 1965 abstract expressionism and studied privately with Feodor Rimsky of Washington CT. |
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First gallery exhibition was in 1965 Washington Art Association, Washington Depot, CT medium egg tempera Second solo exhibition 1985 Stony Creek Library watercolor and raku pottery Third exhibition was held October 6th – 30th 2002 Stony Creek Library Gail Ferris exhibits in galleries located in New Haven, Newport and Warwick RI, Hudson and Woodstock NY, Lakeville CT, and West Stockbridge, MA. |
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Awards: 2002 Friends of the Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library Annual Stony Creek Summer Art Show - First prize in photography for photograph titled “June in Stony Creek” 2002 Essex Art Association 56th Annual Open Art Show – The Chester Gallery Cash Award for excellence in any medium for brush and ink abstract painting titled “Into the Waves” 2003 Essex Art Association 57th Annual Open Art Show 1st prize best in any medium over 50 artists |
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For ten years I have spent some time being in the Arctic for the purpose of comparing indigenous kayak designs to the waters these kayaks are paddled in. I have made solo Arctic expeditions as a solo kayak paddler in Greenland, Baffin Island Nunavut, Kodiak and Barrow Alaska taking photographs and videos from my kayak. I studied the microclimatology in the fjords of Upernavik and noted geological formations as factors relative to kayak paddling and biogeography. I identified and photographed flowers and lichens. I studied local kayak design relative to the waters they were used in. |
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At the Upernavik Museum, Upernavik Greenland I provided for permanent exhibition color photographs of area flora. I made a detailed study measuring kayaks in Greenland. As a museum assistant I set up and assisted in setting up exhibitions, giving tours, archiving materials. I lived in Greenland for three years for the purpose of seeing the light transition via the seasons. I collect and sell art from Upernavik Commune artists. |
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I have made videos and I give both video and slide lectures about my travels and about sea kayaking and human powered boating. Over the years I have written articles about my kayaking adventures and ideas for Messing About in Boats and Atlantic Coastal Kayaker Magazine. http://www.guillemot-kayaks.com/Trips/Gail/GailFerris.html |
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I routinely give lectures about my travels in the Arctic and the kayak for clubs such as ConnYak and RICA and as a featured speaker at Mystic Seaport. I am a member of The Arctic Institute of North America, the Amateur Yacht Research Society and was a member of The Explorers Club in New York. |
Kayak websites 03/01/05
www.nkhorizons.com/NikolajJensenkayak.html Gail Ferris interview with Nikolaj Jensen kayak builder and paddle designer of Kullorsuaq Greenland
http://www.nkhorizons.com/Kullorsuaq.html weather, colors and kayak design at Kullorsuaq Greenland Gail Ferris 1995-6
www.nkhorizons.com/Greenland2003.html Gail Ferris 2003 Solo Kayak Expedition Upernavik, Kangersuatsiaq, Laksefjord, Orpit, Icecap, Isfjord, Aappilattoq Umiaq
www.nkhorizons.com/95upv.html Gail Ferris 1995 solo kayak expedition wind cloud patterns Upernavik Greenland
www.nkhorizons.com/Explore.html Gail Ferris How to Explore in the Arctic by Kayak detailed paddling information
www.nkhorizons.com/commute05.html Gail Ferris How to Commute by Kayak information such as how to paddle year round at night and in the ice
www.nkhorizons.com/Disabledlaunch.html How to launch a kayak for paddler with an artificial hip, I have one! – Gail Ferris.
www.nkhorizons.com/Kodiak.html Kayak, botany and fishing adventure in Kodiak Alaska - the Aleut Baidarka – Gail Ferris
Artist websites
www.nkhorizons.com/Brush&Inks.html black and white ink expressions by Gail Ferris
www.nkhorizons.com/15x11paintings.html small watercolors for sale by Gail Ferris
www.nkhorizons.com/22x15paintings.html medium sized watercolors for sale by Gail Ferris
www.nkhorizons.com/SamuelKnudsenkvitoq.html Greenland artist Samuel Knudsen spirit images
www.whitespacegallery.com/livingartists/ferris.php
paintings
at White Space Gallery in New Haven
http://www.southworth.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=266 Gail Ferris note card works in watercolor at Southworth