Dramatic narratives unfold in Paul Sattler's charged and enigmatic oil paintings which reference historic and literary sources. Sattler comments, “A diverse population of animals are enmeshed in my works’ human-inhabited environments, theatrical locales, and domestic dramas.” Drawing upon color theory, surrealism, and folklore for inspiration, his works encourage questioning of one’s own reality. Paul received his MFA from Indiana University, Bloomington and BFA from the Art Institute of Chicago. Previously a professor of art at Boston University, Sattler is now Director of the Schick Art Gallery and Associate Professor Art at Skidmore College, where he has taught since 1998.
Brooklyn-based artist Samantha Keely Smith's timelessly beautiful paintings have emotional imagery and energy representing our tormented relationship with ourselves. The clashing waves of brush strokes form an abstraction of collision and the vibrant colors brilliantly speak to the turmoil of decisions and emotions in everyday life. Smith comments, “I always wanted to express things that were not dependent on any boundaries of place, language, time, etc. and I hope that my work speaks to the essence of our desires and fears as human beings." Smith studied art and art history at the School of Visual Arts in New York and received a BFA at Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University.
