Emma Overman: The Great Outdoors
Native Guide, 16" x 62" (each panel), $4,000
Emma Overman has had a studio at the Harrison Center for well over a decade, and few artists have a style that is as unique and recognizable as hers. She combines whimsical characters with a sophisticated painting style to create captivating images that are at once charming and haunting. She was very excited to be doing an April show because of the inspiration of Springtime and all of the magic it has to offer. “The Great Outdoors” premiered in the Harrison Gallery on April 3, without crowds or fans due to the Covid-19 Quarantine. After six months of brainstorming and four months of painting, whatever expectations the artist may have had for opening night took a drastic detour. None the less, it is very telling of Emma’s passion and determination that she continued working as hard or even harder on the artwork for this show even after she knew that the April First Friday would not be taking place.
The Great Outdoors, 15 1/2" x 13 1/2", $400
The good news is that, in spite of all the ways the virus impacted her efforts, she was able to create a “happy, optimistic show”, as she says she intended to. Also, in spite of social distancing, the work is actually very visible to anyone who wants to see it via a wonderful video virtual tour of the Harrison Gallery and interview done with Jill Ditmire as host. I highly recommend viewing the video!
Imagine, 60" x 48", $2,000
What I personally love about this show is the rich and exciting palette that Emma has drawn from for these works. The teal and bright orange colors are some of my favorites, and the way that Emma has applied them creates contrast that makes her characters seem to glow and adds such a dreamy atmosphere so appropriate for the narratives. I also enjoy the pieces that were painted directly on wood grain. They look fresh and create a fun, graphic vibe for these images that honor scenes from nature.
As usual, Emma utilizes gorgeous refinished antique frames for each of these pieces. I have always admired how meticulously she repairs and repainted her frames so that they become an integral aspect of the artwork.
Here Kitty, 22" x 26", Sold
Emma has often referred to painting as her way to go on a journey. “For me, creating art has always been a means of retreat. Some people travel. I paint pictures.” I love this metaphor and I can certainly feel in her expressive and otherworldly compositions that she has left her studio and taken a trip to someplace mysterious and lovely. Even as she was feeling the stress of the circumstances of the virus, she managed to be able to pick up her brush and be able to travel to the dreamy places where she could see these characters and scenes in order to bring them to life on the canvas.