DCA asks 'What If'

CAMBRIDGE — The Dorchester Center for the Arts will host a reception for its new exhibit, “What If,” a solo show by Chris Carter, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13. The exhibit will run through March 26.

In addition to the reception, which will feature music and light refreshments, the artist will give a free presentation, titled “Intuitive Painting with Watercolor — Allowing the Painting to be the Boss,” from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Visitors may come and go, and return throughout the day to see the progress of the paintings. One person may be chosen by DCA to “apprentice” for the entire day, working side by side with Carter to create her/his own intuitive paintings.

Carter will begin with pouring paint, then continue to add layers of splatters, pours and drips, as well as atomize paint onto the paper, blocking areas with templates until the marks and patterns on the paper begin to tell a story. From that point, she becomes the instrument for the painting and continues to apply paint, hoping her marks, shapes, lines, colors and values will make it possible for others to glimpse the story and experience it as it relates to their own lives.

This exhibit documents the evolution of style and technique that occurred over the 10-year period — and beyond — following Carter’s mother’s death. She returned to the easel and sketchbooks, needing to feel a sense of movement through space in her paintings, whether they be abstract or figurative. Figures often emerged from the paint as she layered upon the paper or canvas. She needed to understand anatomy in motion, so she sketched and painted during dance performances, at bars during music jams and at yoga classes.

As her story continued, in 2010 during a five-week period following a hip replacement, she sketched plants, exploring their growth patterns and shapes. The continuation of drawing geometric shapes brought “The Orb and Strata Series,” which has been exhibited regularly at hospitals and cancer centers.

To further enhance the art experience, Carter will conduct a workshop from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 12, at DCA. Students will learn that allowing watercolor to be playful and spontaneous can infuse paintings with life and energy. Participants will learn to flick, drip, splatter, spray, glaze, mouth atomize, lift and sponge, and when to work dry and when to work wet.

The fee for the workshop is $85 for DCA members and $125 for nonmembers. Students should bring a lunch, snacks and a beverage. For more information or to register, call 410-228-7782.

Resource: http://www.stardem.com