Paintings by area artists Hanneke Goedkoop and Sandy Mills are on display in the “Spirit of Nature” exhibit at Darien Nature Center, now through Jan. 19.
A wine and cheese opening reception for the artists will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 28. This event is free and open to the public. A total of 30 percent of sales proceeds will be donated to the Nature Center.
— an announcement from Darien Nature Center
Both artists express their interpretations of nature’s imagery and sense of space and light. Goedkoop, a Rowayton resident, says her watercolor and acrylic work appears abstract but is rooted in reality.
“Thoughts about evolution and the environment are represented in visual narratives. They are shaped through observation, from memories, connections with and love for nature,” Goedkoop said.
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Art by Hanneke Goedkoop
- “The inner and outer world of spirituality and metamorphosis are the forces behind my work. Thoughts about evolution and environment are represented in visual narratives. They are shaped through observation, from memories, connections with and love for nature and expressed in drawing, painting, print-making and sculpture. I work to create an environment for the viewer to move into — to create a desire to be part of and connect with the unseen and seen in our natural world. The human psyche is rooted in the natural world.”
—Hanneke Goedkoop
Mills, a Norwalk resident, says she is inspired by the outdoors and looks for strong design and bold contrast in nature. Her paintings are in oil on aluminum and canvas.
“I hope the viewer feels an emotional connection to what I’m seeing,” Mills said.
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“Bedazzled” by Sandy Mills
- “I’m drawn to water, whether it’s the coast or woodland streams. I find inspiration for painting from exploring the outdoors. Like many artists, I have gravitated to a looser, more spontaneous style of impressionism and sometimes find abstraction. I try not to fix a painting. If it doesn’t work I go on to the next. Detail is not so important. It is the energy, brush stroke and emotion I strive for — looking for an evocative atmosphere and essence.”
—Sandy Mills
Darien Nature Center is located at 120 Brookside Road. More information on the “Spirit of Nature” exhibit can be found here, and more images of their artwork can be found here, on the Darien Nature Center web site.
For questions, please contact Administrative Affairs Manager Leah Salomoni at 203-655-7459.