Artist to Know: Erin Spencer—Inside Art with Michael Rose

Wednesday, August 02, 2023

Michael Rose, Art Contributor

 

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PHOTO: Michael Rose

 

The landscape is a motif that recurs regularly in visual arts. Barrington artist Erin Spencer has imbued in her artwork her love of the land and her dedication to the craft of painting it, earning herself a passionate following. A series of Spencer’s landscapes will be on view at a special open studio event at 9 Forbes Street in Riverside on August 17 from 6-9 pm. The evening is an opportunity for viewers to experience works by one of the state’s most popular landscapists.

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Speaking of her passion for the landscape genre, Spencer explains, “Wherever we are in the world, we are surrounded by a landscape. We come from the land, it is a part of us, and I've felt this always. The movement in the sky, in the trees, and in the shifts of the land all merge to create something we respond to in different ways as human beings. I have learned to see the landscape as shapes relating to one another, converging to create poetry of place. I'm not usually looking to re-create a particular view, rather the essence of the story it has to tell. I might be inundated with visual information by a view, but when it comes time to put paint on panel I try to shine the light on the simple forms that drew me in from the start. The beautiful thing about this is that each artist will find something meaningful in a different aspect of the landscape, so my paintings only tell one part of the bigger story!”

 

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PHOTO: Michael Rose

 

Spencer has been painting for more than fifteen years and has captured scenes of landscapes across the United States as well as in Europe. Paintings of Rhode Island are balanced out with vistas captured in places like France, England, and the Netherlands. She earned her undergraduate degree at Brigham Young University and has exhibited widely. Recently the subject of a solo exhibition in Wyoming, she will be sharing her work at an upcoming art fair in Utah this fall.

 

Although Spencer is not originally from Rhode Island and spent much of her life outside the Ocean State, she has now adopted this place as her home and is raising her young family here. Asked what she enjoys about her community, she says, “My husband and I moved to Rhode Island in the summer of 2008, when our oldest son was just 5 months old. One thing I have always loved about living in Rhode Island, especially as an artist, is the individual pride of place. Roots run deep here, and that feels so fitting to me as a landscape painter. When I stumble on a beautiful view I know it is important and matters to people beyond just the beauty it holds. There is also a lovely art community here. My art career only really took shape after moving here and becoming involved with art shows, fairs, and galleries. The excitement of fellow artists, gallerists, and collectors has given me wonderful momentum over the years. I can't imagine being shaped by any other place as an artist, and I will always count myself very lucky to claim Rhode Island as my home.”

 

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PHOTO: Michael Rose

 

Spencer’s friends and neighbors in the East Bay and beyond have a chance to see samples of her work this summer. On Thursday, August 17 from 6-9 pm, Spencer will be showing paintings alongside friend and fellow artist Alexander Morris at Luminist Photography Studio at 9 Forbes Street in Riverside. The event will highlight Spencer’s richly toned landscapes, which are enlivened by her energetic brushwork and united by her keen senses of composition and color.

 

Asked about the event, Spencer answers, “I feel very fortunate to collaborate with fellow Rhode Island artist, Alex Morris, to put on an open studio event. Seeing a collection of my work all in one place is always immensely satisfying. It feels like a full-circle moment. I hope this event will bring people out who are looking for art for their walls, but also people who just want to see beautiful paintings and learn more about the arts. Anyone who attends is showing their support, and that means so much to artists! I will have around 20 new paintings at the open studio show, and I'm hopeful to share my work with new and old collectors.”

 

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PHOTO: Michael Rose

 

Spencer’s passion for creating paintings of the land, sea, and sky has resulted in a beautiful body of work that celebrates the picturesque. From her Rhode Island studio, she is shaping images that center nature in her own distinct voice. Experiencing her paintings offers viewers the chance to see the natural world around them with renewed appreciation.

 

Learn more about Erin Spencer’s artwork at www.erinspencerart.com. Follow updates from her studio on Instagram via @erinspencerart

Michael Rose is a multi-talented fine art professional based in Southern New England. Since 2014 he has served as the gallery manager at the historic Providence Art Club, one of the nation’s oldest arts organizations. Through his current freelance work he advises collectors and artists, provides appraisal services, teaches, and completes curatorial projects.

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