Solo Exhibit, September 2 – October 1
Reston Art Gallery and Studios
Artist Julia Malakoff presents her solo show, “Lasting Impressions: Paint and Paper Vignettes,” now on display through October 1 at Reston Art Gallery and Studios. Malakoff’s colorful new mixed media exhibit tells inventive, visual stories with layered textures of hand painted papers, acrylics, inks, drawings, and mark making tools.
“My ultimate goal is to give new life and new backstories to the subjects of my initial observations,” states Malakoff. “I find my most powerful artistic inspiration in familiar things, both animate and inanimate that surround us every day, both in our homes, such as furniture, vessels, and books, as well as the natural world, especially birds and flowers beyond our front door. Mixed media art gives me permission to explore a wide range of tools, colors, and styles. In this show, antique chairs take on a new life, reupholstered with up-cycled papers and patterns. Vintage vases are filled with vibrant blooms and become the subject of a new story. The butterfly loveseat featured in my ‘Vintage View’ painting was once the center of a formal Victorian parlor. It caught my eye tossed curbside in an old Richmond neighborhood, with wires and bare bones exposed. I took a quick cell phone pic, knowing that I would want to rescue this antiquity and restore its honor in an inventive mixed media painting. Recreating this once ornate loveseat with ordinary packing materials provides an intriguing juxtaposition. More importantly, the recreation of the castoff object also provides an opportunity for a second and more lasting impression. Going forward, I plan to continue providing new life to ordinary objects such as these – objects we too often dismiss without a second glance. I enjoy the process of building layers and creating visual stories and lasting impressions.” See more of Malakoff’s work and information on Instagram @juliamalakoffart and on her website https://juliamalakoff.com/.
Lasting Impressions: Paint and Paper Vignettes can be viewed every weekend through October 1 from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., or by appointment through October 2 by emailing the artist, juliatova@gmail.com. Visitors can also enjoy the display of works by all seven artists at Reston Art Gallery and Studios, 11400 Washington Plaza West, Reston, VA 20190, located on the lakeside by the orange “ART” sign at historic Lake Anne Plaza. Neighboring the gallery are local restaurants with outdoor seating, and it is just steps away from Lake Anne’s Saturday morning Farmers Market. For GPS directions and parking, search “Lake Anne Plaza.” Follow @RestonArtGallery on Instagram, and find more information at RestonArtGallery.com.
About Reston Art Gallery and Studios (RAGS)
This artists’ collective is an inspiring source of beauty and creativity with new shows each month featuring the latest works created by the seven artists of RAGS – Pat Macintyre, Jennifer Duncan, Sandra Dovberg, Rosemarie Forsythe, Julia Tova Malakoff, Marthe McGrath, and Wayne Schiffelbein. On weekdays the artists are preparing commissions, new works, and their next special exhibits, and those working on site can be viewed through the gallery’s expansive glass façade. The unique variety of works displayed at RAGS – paintings in watercolor, acrylic and oil, mixed media, collage, mobiles, photography, original prints, art objects, artist-made jewelry, and more – are available for purchase. Furthering its nurture of art, RAGS offers free, themed Crafts for Kids every Saturday morning at the gallery, April through December, from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. RAGS is open to the public every weekend afternoon from 12:00 until 5:00 p.m. and also by appointment. The orange “ART” sign at historic, scenic Lake Anne Plaza leads to the entrance of Reston Art Gallery and Studios, a Reston landmark established in 1987, located on the lakeside of 11400 Washington Plaza West, Reston, VA 20190. GPS: “Lake Anne Plaza” for directions to the parking area. Follow @RestonArtGallery on Instagram, and see more information at RestonArtGallery.com.
