EXETER — “My goal was simply to alter the mood of a normal picture by making it bolder while sometimes creating a more aggressive feeling atmosphere,” says photographer and retired educator Dean Scott of Exeter about his digital artwork that will be showing at the Seacoast Artist Association in Exeter in February. “Having long worked with traditional photography, I felt ready to try a different approach. The paintings of several local artists inspired me to treat my photos as a canvas. Using my laptop, I started drawing and painting on the photos. I set up an intense color palate as well as softer palates and experimented using different computer art programs. I have not abandoned traditional photography. In fact, my current approach starts there. I’ve always been attracted to design elements and patterns in nature. From those sources, statements can be made. Those statements can be pushed, prodded and exploded.
“Born and raised in Somersworth, I was interested in art and music at an early age. I played guitar and drums and enjoyed drawing for my own amusement. I pursued my interest in art by attending the University of New Hampshire. Printmaking, photography and drawing were my specialties. I graduated with a BS in Art Education. At a later date, I earned a MS in Education at the University of New England. In 1973, I began my teaching career in the Exeter School District. For the first five years I taught art in grades K through 12 at five different schools. After that, I taught at the High School until retirement in 2006.In the 1980’s I served 2 years on the advisory board with Boston Globe Scholastic Arts. In the 2000’s I served 5 years on the advisory board with New Hampshire Scholastic Arts and later served as an official to help adjudicate awards and scholarships for deserving high school artists. In the ‘90’s during an eight year period, I participated in the Belize-New Hampshire Teachers Program out of UNH. I conducted workshops for teachers and lead classroom projects in village elementary schools.
“In early 2000’s, I co-directed the Zimbabwe-NH Teachers Program (UNH) for three years. We ended the program due to unstable political conditions. From 2006 to 2011, I was part of the Exeter Arts Committee and chaired the committee for the last four years of my membership. From 2011 to 2014, I formed the ’30under30′ Committee. With some of my former art students, we hosted exhibits encouraging artist under 30 years old to show their work at the Town Hall Gallery. Now, after a long hiatus, I am back to exhibiting my art.”
Dean’s show “Photos as a Canvas” opens on January 31 and runs through Sun., February 25 with an artist reception on Second Friday, February 9. SAA exhibiting artist Cheryl Sager and her husband Neal Zweig will be returning for another Valentine concert.
All artists are welcome to submit artwork for the February Valentine theme show “Let Me Show You What I Love” which was a big hit last year. Showing here is one submission, Noel Soucy’s acrylic “Remembering Popham.”
Members get a discount to hang in the theme shows, so now is a good time to join the SAA. You can do that at drop-off on Sat., January 27, 10 a.m. -2 p.m., or online at www.seacoastartist.org. Attendees at the Second Friday reception will vote for the People’s Choice Award and the winner received a future free month’s entry. In March the theme will be “Shadows and Light” with drop off on Sat., February 24, 10 a.m. -2 p.m., when artists will pick up their January pieces that have not sold. See more details at seacoastartist.org and follow updates on Facebook. The Seacoast Artist Association gallery is located at 130 Water Street in historic downtown Exeter. Hours are Wed.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sun., 1-4 p.m. Parking is free. Email gallery@seacoastartist.org with questions.