DelawareScene: "Seasons of...": Pastel Paintings from Nick Serratore @ Peninsula Gallery

"Seasons of...": Pastel Paintings from Nick Serratore

The vivid colors and dynamic landscapes of all four seasons are the centerpiece of Nick Serratore’s brand-new solo exhibition, “Seasons of…”. The bold shades radiating from the paintings — chartreuse, crimson, plum, cobalt, iron — transform our region's scenery into technicolor, lulling viewers into serene, almost otherworldly places. From November 1st to the 23rd, the Peninsula Gallery’s walls will be graced with 25 pastel paintings in a variety of shapes and sizes from this beloved local artist.

An opening reception will be held on Saturday, November 1, from 5:00 to 6:30 pm, which is free and open to everyone. Enjoy a night out on the town with complimentary food and drink, while chatting with Nick about his work.

Nick Serratore graduated from the Hussian School of Art in Philadelphia and Wilmington University. He works primarily in pastels — a medium he feels can capture the tactile experience and majesty of the grand landscapes he depicts. He takes inspiration from the places and environments here in our beautiful region of the world, saying, “It is difficult to describe in words the colors of the seasonal skies of Sussex County. The hues of greens, browns, and golds found in a planted field are equally indescribable. When these scenes are punctuated by a weathered old barn or silo, the overall impression is mystical. The textures of a plowed field, an isolated woodland, or a crashing ocean wave are again so varied that even photographs are unable to do them justice. The flat plane of the earth here gives light and shadow a multitude of opportunities to do their play.”

Over the years, Nick has featured in multiple solo exhibitions, participated in various charitable events, and won numerous awards. This is Nick's 4th solo exhibition at Peninsula Gallery, with his work being shown year-round as a resident artist. He was the recipient of the 2012 Individual Artist Fellowship from the Delaware Division of the Arts. He is a member of the Pastel Society of America in New York.

Nick says of this showcase: “With each change of season comes a change in weather: the bare cold earth of winter defrosts to welcome in the rebirth of spring, while the heat of summer is cooled by the crispness of autumn. But a change of season also represents the change of our lives, a time of reflection. I have been painting the landscape for over thirty-five years, and as I grow older, I think of all the paintings that I have created that were inspired by the seasons and my surroundings. I also think about how I, as an artist, have changed. Each season continually gives me unlimited inspiration and ideas. Rainy days are my favorite because they put me in a contemplative state, perfect for creating art in the solitude of my studio. ‘Seasons of…’ represents my experience with nature. It is with hope that the viewer will become immersed in their own experience.”

“Seasons of…” is on display from November 1st to the 23rd at the Peninsula Gallery in Lewes, DE. Works from the show can be previewed at www.peninsula-gallery.com and are available for pre-sale.

The gallery is located in the Shops at the Beacon, 520 East Savannah Rd. Lewes, DE, and is open Tue-Sat 10-5, and Sun 11-3.