Environmentally friendly art
By Casey Gillis on Mar. 13, 2008
From staff reports
Central Virginia Community College’s latest art exhibit features colorful and imaginative oil paintings done on a unique type of Japanese paper.
The environmentally-friendly YUPO paper used in local artist Kelly Gravely Mattox’s work is composed of hydrogen and carbon, so it does not give off toxic gases when burned. It was created in order to fill the need for a durable, multipurpose, non-wood paper.
It also offers up an exciting new surface that Mattox, owner of Avenue Arts Studio Gallery on Rivermont Avenue, says invites experimentation.
“I use this paper to explore and as a tool to loosen up my painting techniques,” she says. “It is a slick, smooth surface resistant to tearing. I can let my paints flow, and I can cut, scratch, lift, blot and use mixed mediums. It is an artist’s paradise to be able to have fun with this paper and to be surprised by its magical surface.”
The exhibit is called “Magical Surfaces - Paintings on YUPO Paper by Kelly Gravely Mattox” and will be on display at the Merritt Hall Gallery until the end of March.
An opening reception is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Friday. The gallery is open during regular college hours.
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