"Peaceful Places" by Dawn Gano

Gateway Gallery presents “Peaceful Places,” featuring the work of Dawn Gano, Nov. 23 through Dec. 30, at Gateway Gallery, 21 N. Bemiston Ave. An opening reception for the artist will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 2. Painter Martha Adrian, illustrator and designer Michael Anderson and painter Terry Whittle will also be exhibiting their work in the feature gallery space.

Gano’s exhibit is titled “Peaceful Places,” a fitting name for a collection that the artist calls a visual retreat. She says she feels that everyone deserves a touch of vacation in their home or office. “I feel fortunate to be able to drink in the details of a moment and recreate it on canvas” she says. Gano finds new inspiration from traveling: Spain, Gibraltar and Mexico are a few of the destinations represented in her work. For “Peaceful Places,” Gano looked closer to home for inspiration, primarily Missouri and Illinois.

Gano’s oil paintings are inspired by nature. Her paintings are read by the eye as a clear tranquil scene from a distance. Gano believes “a painting should look like a painting.” When viewed up close, the work breaks apart into color and brushstrokes. Gano compares this effect to that of computer pixels. Gano’s works are hanging in galleries and in private collections across the United States and abroad. Gano has a Bachelor of Fine Art in painting and has taught high school art for eight years.

Michael Anderson has been an artist, illustrator and designer for 35 years.  He is also the author of the blog “Sketching St. Louis.” Anderson sketches and paints St. Louis scenery, people, architecture and gardens. He has collaborated with designers, architects and planners on a series of projects including the St. Louis Science Center, The St. Louis Zoo and Anheuser- Busch. Anderson has had work exhibited around the St. Louis area; his works are in numerous personal collections as well as the permanent collections of the St. Louis Zoo, the City of Belleville, Ill., the Southern Illinois College Foundation and the St. Louis Artists Guild.

Terry Whittle showcases his talent in his gallery in the Central West End.  He seeks to explore all the variations of nature and its colors in his oil paintings.  Whittle’s career began as an illustrator in the U.S. Army; which began a 40-year career as an illustrator and graphic designer. Throughout his career, he has had paintings exhibited at the Pentagon, galleries throughout the St. Louis area and has had one-man shows at Washington University and Valparaiso University.

Martha Adrian’s medium of choice is oil. Her works have been sold to individuals in the United States and abroad as well as in two museums. Adrian’s work has also been featured as illustrations in a local author’s children’s book.