Vibrant colors, soft horizons and pastoral beauty mark OkEq "First Thursday" exhibit

(Tulsa, OK) The Oklahomans for Equality (OkEq) “First Thursday” showcase and exhibit of local artists for November features the works of Susan Hamilton.

“Vibrant colors, soft horizons, and pastoral beauty” are the words Susan Hamilton uses to describe her paintings. Being relatively new to the art of oil painting, Hamilton is still formulating her impressionistic style. “I have long been creative in other arts,” she says, “but here I’m definitely still learning.”

While serving a church in Sacramento, CA, Rev. Dr. Hamilton wrote and received a grant for a clergy renewal sabbatical awarded by the Lilly Foundation in 2008. The three-month sabbatical included study with renowned impressionist artist Susan Sarback of Sacramento’s School of Light and Color. “It was a rare opportunity and great gift to receive both the time and the funds to pursue creative renewal. I’d never thought of myself as a visual artist, but I was interested in learning.”

Hamilton is part of a family of visual artists. Using only a pallet knife, the four stage full color painting technique creates the qualities of light and shadow, coolness and warmth underlying each painting. The local color is observed, but greater depth is achieved by employing the full color perspective.

The exhibit is entitled “Green Country Living” and portrays scenes and activities of life in northeastern Oklahoma. Being new to the area, Hamilton is impressed by the beauty of the Ozark foothills surrounding her home in Tahlequah. She works to convey some of that beauty through her impressionist style.

The show begins with a reception on Thursday, November 6 from 6-9pm at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center, 621 E. 6th St. in downtown Tulsa. There will be a door prize drawn of the artist’s work; the show continues throughout the month.

Founded by a dedicated group of volunteers in 1980, Oklahomans for Equality/OkEq is Oklahoma’s oldest gay rights organization. www.okeq.org.

The Gayly – November 3, 2014 @ 10:30am