COASTAL CONFLUENCE
Virginia Leonnig & Carol Pulvermacher
A New Exhibit at the Maritime Museum
We each live in our own world, seeing the same things differently, yet more often than not manage to find common ground with others. Proof of this truism comes to light (and color) in the work of collaborating artists, Virginia Leonnig and Carol Pulvermacher.
An opening reception for this new exhibit at the Pacific Maritime Heritage Center (Museum) will be held Friday, June 8th, 6:00-8:00 PM. Wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served.
This collaborative exhibit is a canvas expression of the two artists’ appreciation of Pacific Northwest wildlife. Their styles are vastly different yet somehow, by choosing identical subject matter and working independently, they evoke a surprising confluence of color and self-expression.
Carol Pulvermacher is best known as a self-taught pyrographer (wood burning) wildlife artist. She has since developed a newly found passion for abstract expressionist painting influenced by Northwestern Native imagery. She uses bold lines, colors and drip painting to express calm meeting chaos. Working mainly from a studio space in her West Linn home, Pulvermacher works outside when the weather allows — a practice she describes as “like coming home.”
She enjoyed her first group show at The Lincoln City Cultural Center’s Chessman Gallery in 2013, and a solo show in Estacada in August 2013. In the summer of 2015 she discovered the abstract world of drip painting. On a whim, she added her wood burned wildlife, with a NW native style, to the paintings.
In 2017 this combination lead to a solo show at the Spiral Gallery and acceptance into two juried shows, “Color” in Fort Collins, CO, and “All Things Salmon” show at the Coos Art Museum, Coos Bay, OR. Also in 2017, Carol and Virginia Leonnig shared a show “Colorful Confluence” at the Chessman Gallery in Lincoln City. Carol was recently in a three person show at the Spiral Gallery.
Virginia Leonnig has had a life-long interest in painting and the natural world around her. She was born into an artistic family who recognized and encouraged her talent and interests at an early age.
At the age of 12 her grandmother provided her with her first work space. By the time she reached age 13 she was enrolled in Schuler School of Fine Art in Baltimore, Maryland.
Marrying shortly after graduating from high school she soon had 3 children. While raising her small children she took several courses of study at The Maryland Institute of Art and from professional artists.
Virginia relocated to Oregon in 1984 where she met her second husband. In 1994, they embarked on a two-year sailing adventure with paints well packed. In the tropics Virginia’s work was influenced by the vibrant colors, changing weather, movement of water and the constant motion of the boat. These influences continue to dominate in her work.
On return to Oregon Virginia made the decision to not go back to her job as a pediatric medical assistant and to instead pursue her art full time. She currently resides in Waldport, Oregon with her husband.
Admission to this special event is free for Historical Society members, and $5 for non-members. For more information, call (541) 265-7509.