The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
Ann Pangburn displaying paintings
Watercolor exhibit on display at the Kallet
ONEIDA » Ann Pangburn says there is something special going on when she creates her artwork, well beyond simply placing a brush to paper or canvas.
“For me, there is something that happens in my mind and heart,” Pangburn explained. “I like looking at a scene, and then backtracking in my brain to try to figure out how to recreate it.”
She recalled therewas anold barn in Richfield Springs that she saw on a ride through the country. Pangburn looked at it through an artist’s eye to see past the trees shrouding the building, leaving a beautiful structure she wanted to bring alive in her watercolors. Her work reflects the country setting of her own Verona home, where she says she loves to be surrounded by beauty. And if she can then capture that beauty and transfer it to her artwork, she can share it with others to enjoy, she said.
Pangburn has been interested in watercolors since she took classes in high school, but it was some oil painting classes where she accompanied a friend some five years ago that really sparked her current art passions. Those oil painting sessions reintroduced her to her own art, and shortly after- wards she was taking watercolors lessons, reading books, and watching videos on painting as well.
“My old love of watercolors just suddenly came back,” she said. “I was soaking it all up like a sponge.”
To Pangburn, watercolors are more of an abstract expression than a true recreation of what she sees in the subjects she paints.
“I like to capture the essence of the scene without really caring too much about it being realistic and detailed,” she explained. “I love to just swoosh the paint on and be free. That‘s the nature of watercolors. The paint moves with the water and you don‘t know exactly what to expect.”
She said the moment that truly defines her new commitment to her artwork was when she was asked to craft an exhibit of her water colors for public display. That meant taking those pieces, framing them, and making them exhibit-worthy. Pangburn admitted she then looked at her newly-framed works with a whole new appreciation for her own artwork.
There are 14 watercolor paintings -- including themed displays of favorite subjects of barns and chickens -- currently on display at the Griffing Gallery in the Kallet Civic Center, and Pangburn her----
self will meet with art fans there this Thursday, Aug. 17 as the venue hosts an artist’s reception. Note cards of her art will be available at the reception, and her watercolor paintings will be for sale.
Pangburn enjoys when viewers take the time to seriously study her work, as she says they will continue to find more and more almost-hidden layers within, like the “ghost tree” that she intimated is found in one of her creations. She also likes hearing the responses fromher guests as they look at her work.
“That gives me an idea of what people are looking for,” she said. “I’ve always liked putting on events and inviting people to them. This is a new experience for me, having my work seen by others. I feel different … it’s like I’ve gone from being a painter to being an artist, and it’s very inspiring to me.”
Pangburn is a native of North Syracuse, a graduate of North Syracuse High School and SUNYPotsdam.
She earned her master’s degree from Syracuse University and a certificate of advanced study degree in administration at the doctorate level from SUNYCortland.
She retired fromthe ad- ministration at MadisonOneida BOCES in Verona, and she and her husband Bob Pangburn have three grown children, Betsey, Ben, and Katie.
She quipped that she scheduled her reception for a time when all of their children would be in the area, to make sure she had a sure audience.
The Kallet is not the onlyplace to findherwork, however. Inaddition to her exhibit at the Griffing Gallery, Pangburn also currently has pieces at the Sherrill and Canastota libraries as well. Ultimately, that is what her painting means to her -- the chance to make artwork that will be seen by others and enjoyed.
“Art is meant to be shared,” Pangburn said. “To me, it’s about creating something and wanting to share it with other people.”
Pangburn’s art reception is this Thursday, Aug. 17 at 6 p.m. at the Kallet Civic Center, located at 159 Main St. in Oneida. The public is invited to attend, and there will be refreshments and live music. The exhibit will be up through the beginning of September. Viewing hours at the Griffing Gallery in the Kallet are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.