Nichols: Shuptrine Fine Art & Framing hosts 'Whisper' artists

Oil paintings by Marie Channer and copperplate etchings by Stephen Scott Young are on display at Shuptrine Fine Art & Framing through April 15. The exhibit, titled "Whisper," showcases images of ballet dancers.

Channer, a resident of Colorado who is new to the gallery, says she loves the beauty, grace and elegance of the ballet.

"It is a delight and a challenge to try to capture a special moment in time on my canvas," she explained.

Channer studies her subject for at least a month before she begins a painting. This allows her to get a feeling for whether she will use cool or warm color tones.

Having observed her subject carefully and taken many photographs, she works in the studio to bring the image to life. She describes her style as realism and employs the Old Masters technique of glazing to achieve the complicated and deeply nuanced hues found in real life.

"I guess it is just the way my brain is wired because I see individual details, colors and feelings in depth," she said.

Young is known for his scenes of the Bahamas and stunning portraits of Bahamian children. For his portion of "Whisper," however, he is focusing on the grace and athleticism of dancers from Ballet Florida.

He always works from life -- attending rehearsals or sketching backstage before a performance. Sketches evolve into copperplate etchings or watercolors.

"Scott enjoys all figurative work, and the love of ballet led him to begin depicting dancers in 2006," said Bonny Shuptrine, vice president of Shuptrine Fine Art & Framing. "The exhibit of Scott's and Marie's work marries well and evokes a sense of timeless grace and romance."

A reception will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday. Visitors also can see the ongoing restoration of a mid-1800s pier mirror.

The gallery, 2646 Broad St., is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday; 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and by appointment. Call 266-4453.

E-mail Ann Nichols at annsnichol@aol.com

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