For gardeners, spring is time to get back outside and plant colorful flowers. But for artist Joanne Scott Massey, the flowers are of a different sort.
Massey is an Evansville artist known for the delicate details in her lush floral paintings. Many of her florals are on permanent display at Deaconess Gateway Hospital, Deaconess Hospital, and the Communities of Solarbron.
April 5, Massey’s floral exhibit will open at Riverwind Gallery in Newburgh, Ind. There will be a reception from 1-4 p.m.
“I think there is more demand for florals, and they are my favorite,” says Massey. “I have also painted many other subjects like landscapes, people, and abstracts. I also work in a free form style with clay. Much of my inspiration for florals transfers into my ceramic work which will also be exhibited at Riverwind.”
Massey has been painting professionally for 18 years, though she says she’s always had a love of art. She has a fine arts degree from the University of Southern Indiana.
One of the pieces on display at Riverwind will be a 30- by 40-inch painting titled “Pink Inspiration.” It is a pink lily, specially commissioned by John M. Lawrence of Newburgh. Lawrence will auction off the painting to benefit the Evansville affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
“He gave me the liberty to paint what I wanted,” says Massey. “It seemed so appropriate that a pink lily be the subject for the painting. The lily is a symbol of purity, motherhood and rebirth. That just seemed perfect.”
Early bidding on the painting begins April 1 at 9 a.m. The opening bid will start at $1,800 the auction will conclude during the April 5 reception.
There also will be a limited number of prints of “Pink Inspiration,” which will be signed and numbered by Massey. Only 50 will be sold at $100 apiece, and are available now through Riverwind Gallery. Notecards will also be sold. All proceeds will go to the Komen Foundation.
The floral exhibit will remain on display through May 15.
For more information about the show or purchase a print, visit riverwindgalleryart.com or call 812-853-2537. For more information about Massey and her art, go to joannemasseyfineart.com.
