‘Two Views’ at Edgewood gives viewers the chance to contrast two painters’ styles

“Two Views,” on display at the Edgewood Gallery, moves from oils depicting the Maine Coast to multiple paintings portraying landscapes in Central New York. It also presents wood vessels ranging from bowls to elaborate sculptures. And the show displays enamel jewelry including necklaces, bracelets and earrings.

First, Tad Retz is a non-figurative, plein air painter who says he’s influenced by studies of old American and European masters of impressionism. In a work like “Waves on Mohegan,” there’s a physicality, a conveying of energy as waves explore onto the coast. 

Other works, such as “Lobster Cove Storm” and “Memory Coast” also communicate nature’s force. In addition, two paintings are more placid as they portray rocks near the seashore. The artworks make it clear that Retz has an affinity for the seacoast. 

And his involvement in the Edgewood show extends beyond paintings inspired by the Maine coast. Retz has 18 pieces in the exhibit, and there’s a selection of his oils portraying landscapes in Central New York. 

For example, a large work shifts away from an artistic approach in which sky, ground and hills co-exist. In Retz’s painting, clouds spread over most of the canvas, and the horizon is pushed to the very bottom. 

“Blizzard,” meanwhile, is aptly named. The painting portrays a snow-covered landscape, with trees mostly submerged under a white tide. And “Winter Field” and “The Edge of the Park” offer distinct views of landscapes, reflecting the artist’s emphasis on texture, depth and emotion. 

A second painter, Wayne Daniels, embraces realism, paying close attention to details and the light present at a particular time of day. 

In “Cattle at Pushlar’s,” an oil, he depicts a turbulent sky, the verdant green of the countryside, and the animals which appear on a small scale. 

Then there’s Daniels’ portrayal of a plowed field, with green pastures. brown ground which was plowed, and crows temporarily on the ground. He’s captured a moment, rendered it in a visually interesting oil. 

Other paintings depict a pond in Peterboro, the waterfall at Delhi Falls, and Lakeside Park in June. They are accompanied by “Cazenovia Alley,” a work affirming the painter’s ability to portray buildings in fine detail. 

Another artwork, “November Nightfall,” was created in a context away from the light of day. It has a different feel, with a dark sky, small moon, and bare branches. The painting is spooky and seems to offer a warning– don’t linger here. 

A third artist, John Volcko, has worked in wood for decades, and the exhibit documents the range of his creative interests: small and large bowls as well as other vessels, use of woods from around the globe, the ability to implement various designs and still project the warmth of a wood vessel. 

The exhibition presents several pieces topped by a decorative element in the shape of a point. Known as finials, they enhance a few of Volcko’s vessels. It’s worth noting that finials aren’t associated only with wood works; they also appear on roofs, lamps and metal stair railings, among other possibilities. 

Beyond that, the show encompasses work like “Cherry Burl.” There Volcko is working with wood from a burl, a knotty growth on a tree. In his work, there’s four layers, each in a different size. 

And “Emergence” is both elaborate and concrete. Five projectiles, shaped like flower stems but made in wood, are embedded in a piece of Brazilian Rosewood. 

Finally, the show presents a selection of enamel jewelry by Karen Convertino. She’s integrated a range of colors into her pieces, including striking red and gold color for a necklace. She’s shown her work in previous shows at Edgewood and at other venues. 

“Two Views” gives viewers an opportunity to compare and contrast two painters whose styles are quite different. More importantly, it showcases strong individual artworks such as “Memory Coast” and “Cattle at Pushlar’s.” It’s well worth a visit to the gallery.

The exhibit is on display through February 23 at Edgewood, 216 Tecumseh Rd. The gallery is open from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturdays. Admission is free. For more information, access edgewoodartandframe.com.