The Cornwall Highlands Arts Alliance is pleased to announce an exhibit by two Cornwall artists in the dining room of Leo’s Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria. Lisa Encke’s and Patty Valen’s creations will be on display and for sale from Saturday, Nov. 21 through Saturday, Jan. 16.
Lisa Encke is a practicing oil painter and art educator of 30+ years, as well as a 30-year Hudson Valley resident. Working primarily in oils for their rich color, texture, and flexibility, Lisa uses line, color, and expressive brushwork to evoke feelings that go beyond words. Much of her work is painted in plein air, capturing the fleeting light, season, and spontaneous energy of a scene to convey a deep connection to a place.
Her recent work also includes intimate, meditative still-life compositions and portraits that attempt to capture the true essence of a subject. For over a decade, Lisa has studied with Andrew Lattimore and exhibited in the Hudson Valley while also curating shows and organizing interactive community art events.
Patty Valens is a Cornwall on Hudson-based artist who has dedicated much of her life to teaching middle and high school art students. With the joys and challenges of this career behind her, she is focusing on her own artistic process. To prepare for this transition, she has spent the last several years studying under award-winning artist Andrew Lattimore. Working with Lattimore, she has developed discipline and thoughtfulness in her approach to painting. Grounded in this growth mindset, Patty views each new work as an opportunity to explore, experiment, and deepen her understanding of the medium and the world around her.
Working primarily in oils, Patty focuses on plein air painting techniques. She has participated in numerous plein air painting events along the East Coast and has shown her work locally with the Cornwall Highlands Arts Alliance and at the Howland Center in Beacon. Several of her paintings are in the private collections of residents in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.
An opening reception for Lisa and Patty’s exhibit will be held on Saturday, Dec. 5, from noon to 2 p.m. The public is welcome to attend, meet the artists, and enjoy their creative work.