‘April – She Brings Water’ by Beverly Branch. Courtesy/Step Up Gallery
STEP UP GALLERY News:
The exhibit of 39 large oil portraits called “OFF-GRID: Women of the Mesa” by artist Beverly Branch is getting rave reviews from local and regional visitors.
“If you haven’t been to the exhibit, you must. It is the best–as in the BEST–art shown at the Step Up. She is a painter in the Taos Artist style, and her paintings make you wish you were inside them with those remarkable women. Leaving the gallery and looking around the windy streets rolling with traffic, you definitely, definitely wish you could go back and join these courageous, independent, soul-filled women.” –Jody, Los Alamos
“DON’MISS THIS, LOS ALAMOSANS!
This is one of the most powerful exhibits I’ve ever seen.” –Rheta, Los Alamos
Marcy, a visitor from Santa Fe, sent in this comment, “I was inspired by this show of large paintings of real women in their real surroundings – women going about their independent lives, not posing as anonymous models. Each painting’s accompanying text gave insight into the woman’s life and was a welcome addition to the show.”
Branch of Carson, N.M., is a skillful figurative and portrait painter. The colors used in clothing and surroundings are rich, vibrant and true to the glorious New Mexican landscape and ever-changing skies. The faces and figures of these courageous women are full of emotion, character, determination and the inner strength necessarily developed from living close to the land and without all the conveniences many of us rely on.
The 3 feet by 4 feet oil painting called “April – She Brings Water” depicts a powerful, yet kind young woman, who, with her husband, hauls life-giving water to many of the mesa’s inhabitants portrayed in this exhibit. April shares in her statement “Eagle inspires me as I travel the vast mesa bringing water to many who have no other way to get it. I am proud to carry my father’s legacy by hauling water, the source of all life, to many mesa families.”
The May 23 opening reception was attended by nearly 100 visitors. Many returned to see the exhibit again and taking time to read the women’s stories posted near the paintings. Artist Beverly Branch gave an artist talk that moved some to tears. A video of the talk is available for viewing on Step Up Gallery’s YouTube Channel at https://youtu.be/2lqi4gI8wMM
Haven’t seen this exhibit yet in Step Up Gallery at Mesa Public Library? There is still time. The exhibit runs through June 25. The gallery is open10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. Step Up Gallery (https://stepupgallery.org) is on the top level of Mesa Public Library at 2400 Central Ave. Admission is free.
