Elizabeth Wonnacott Paintings at The Inn at Lynden

Rodeo Dreams A Solo Exhibit featured at The Inn at Lynden Elizabeth Wonnacott July 1 - September 30, 2017 101 5th St., Lynden, WA 98264 (360) 746-8597 (The Inn at Lynden) (360) 354-3600 (Jansen Art Center) The Jansen Art Center, in partnership with The Inn at Lynden, is pleased to announce a solo exhibition by Blaine artist, Elizabeth Wonnacott. Rodeo Dreams, an exhibit of recent paintings by the artist, will be on display at The Inn at Lynden in downtown Lynden, Washington from July 1 through September 30, 2017. It is free to visit. Wonnacott explains that in this series of paintings, she is interpreting scenes that she has photographed at multiple rodeos and ranches. She describes rodeos as “fascinating places of adrenaline, Americana culture and intense athletic competition for both animals and humans.” The artist found herself drawn to the images that took place before or after a competition. “These scenes are universal,” she says, “so I have deliberately abstracted backgrounds to make the time and place vague and open to the viewers interpretation. By pairing the highly representational figurative with abstracted and simplified settings and backgrounds, the paintings have a slightly disconnected aspect, something you might see in a dream.” Technically, Wonnacott’s paintings are about the use of lots of paint, the accuracy of the figure, the use of descriptive gesture in her brush work and the clarity of a very limited palette. A common feature in many of her paintings is the dramatic depiction of light and and how colors and surfaces react to different qualities of light. “I have a very clear vision of changing something ordinary into a timeless sun drenched place that could have seen in your childhood or yesterday,” she says of her process. Elizabeth Wonnacott started drawing and painting after retiring from a 30 year career in technology marketing and advertising. She began with one drawing class, that lead to another, and another until she was hooked on creating visual art. Through practice, she began to understand how to make her medium express her artistic vision and personal style. “I strive to create an emotional connection with my audience through my selection of subject matter, descriptive brushwork and harmonious colors,” she tells us. The artist is planning a reception for this exhibit to take place in August. Artwork on display at The Inn at Lynden is available for purchase through the Gallery Shop at the Jansen Art Center, located at 321 Front Street in Lynden, Washington. The Inn at Lynden is located just one block away at 100 5th Street.