Intention: Art of Randi Holt at Elmhurst Artists’ Guild Gallery

The Elmhurst Artists’ Guild (“EAG”) is pleased to announce Intention, a solo exhibit by EAG member artist, Randi Holt, in the EAG Gallery at the Elmhurst Art Museum (EAM), 150 S. Cottage Hill Ave., Elmhurst, IL. Holt’s paintings will be on exhibit from January 27, 2018 through March 10, 2018.  The artist’s opening reception on Friday, February 2, 2018 from 7:00 to 9:00pm is open to the public.

The exhibit will include more than two dozen of Holt’s watercolor and ink paintings and drawings, and will be curated by Randi’s former art teacher, Suellen Rocca, Curator and Director of Exhibitions at Elmhurst College. Ms. Rocca was a founding member of the “Hairy Who” and the Chicago Imagists art movement established during the 1960’s.

The centerpiece of Intention is “L’Origine du Monde,” a large watercolor, ink and acrylic painting that is reminiscent of the big bang theory of creation as if shown organically, as the life of a flower through a time lapse lens. The soft apricot colors of the poppy-like blossoms exploding from the center of the flower help to tell this story without words gently, in a way that draws the viewer’s introspection.

“My intention is to capture the first moment of observation. The play of light reveals the scene, and my visceral reaction compels me to record what I see. Within this present moment, there is the relationship with the past and future; my mind recognizes the continuity of time through visual pattern,” Randi explained.

Other works included in the show share this same theme. “Shadows No. 1” is an ink and watercolor painting depicting branches with some leaves and flowers in delicate hues of grey and black against a white background. The image is so subtle that the viewer must wonder how much is real, and how much is shadow work.

It is easy to see the foundation of nature in Randi Holt’s body of artwork. “Nature inspires my daily studies; through its ephemeral quality the illusive magic of life reveals itself in patterns and details,” she commented. “Skins and Bark,” an ink and pastel work, embodies this “magic of life” in the soft rendering of two luscious poppies, one ochre and one coral colored, with pistols and stamens prominent, connected by a strip of bark above.

The artist is a 2012 graduate of Elmhurst College, with a BA in Art. She lives in Palatine, IL.

Most of the artworks are available for purchase. The EAG Gallery is open during regular Museum hours, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm and Friday from 11 am to 7 pm. EAM admission is $9 adults / $8 seniors (free first Friday of each month). EAM and EAG members, students and children under 18 are admitted free.

The EAG gallery is not-for-profit, operated by the Elmhurst Artists’ Guild. It features contemporary artworks through group, individual and invitational exhibitions. Exhibits are partially supported by grants from the Illinois Arts Council.