MANCHESTER— Mary Fran Lloyd lives in Rutland. She has studied the art of watercolor, acrylic, mixed media and collage with well-known and gifted artists including Robert Frick, Peter Huntoon, Cheng-Khee Chee, and Richard Weis. She is a signature member of many arts institutions including the Vermont Watercolor Society, an exhibiting member of The Brandon Artist Guild (Brandon), The Chaffee Art Center (Rutland) the Southern Vermont Arts Center and is represented by Ellenbogen Gallery (both in Manchester).
Lloyd’s exhibition, “Life in the Abstract”, presenting 13 abstract paintings with names like “Comfort,” “Headstrong,” Joy,” “Loss,” “Positivity,” “Sorry” and “Together” were created during the 2021 Vermont winter as the Covid-19 pandemic approached its first anniversary and will open to the public on Saturday, Feb. 27 at Ellenbogen Gallery. The exhibit is best viewed on the re-installed Eg. ArtWall, visible from the window at 263 Depot St. in Manchester, or online. The gallery is open on Fridays and Saturdays.
“My art is my version and vision of how I experience life,” said Lloyd. “I have realized the value of always learning new things, being open to change, and appreciating my own uniqueness.” This transformation experience is what she feels art is constantly seeking. She abstracts realism in order to convey her intimate feelings about any subject, life experience, meaningful event, or a culmination of all of it. Through experimental art, she has the liberty and the tools to create more personalized artwork: to convey those feelings and to share that excitement, with others.
The artworks featured in Life in the Abstract are built upon acrylic fields of color, ink lines of varying strength and movement as well as dots and short dashes to give the feeling of texture, dimension, energy and depth. Her use of brilliant, mostly secondary and tertiary colors adds warmth, coolness, freshness, excitement, movement and beauty to help tell her stories and convey her emotions.
“You will never be bored, depressed, or lazy when you discover the magical world of art,” Lloyd said, “especially when you share it with others.”
The safety of visitors, artists and the gallery staff is always a top priority. Until further notice, the gallery directors will wear masks and exercise social distancing and request the same from all visitors.
Ellenbogen Gallery is currently located at 263 Depot Street in Manchester. In June 2021, the gallery will move to its new location at 4620 Main St. in Manchester. The gallery is open Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. If anyone is traveling to visit the gallery, it is recommended to call in advance to confirm operating hours. Visit the website at ellenbogengallery.art for more information or to purchase art online. Michael and Carolina Ellenbogen can be reached by email at ellenbogengallery@gmail.com or by calling 802-768-8498.
