Vanessa Fenton

ARTIST

Vanessa Fenton works in oils and, for the first time, gouache to explore the effect of light on the Tuscan landscape. She studied painting at Carnegie Mellon University and, after a 37-year career as a scenic artist, returned to the easel for further study at Studio Incamminati, the Grand Central Academy and the Realist Arts League. In her professional career, she painted sets for the Santa Fe Opera, the Opera Company of Philadelphia, various Marvel TV series, as well as numerous NY and Philadelphia TV and film productions. Though these professional and personal pursuits varied greatly in materials and application, they informed each other about a common pursuit: to understand how light is revealed by the subject.

In figure, still life, and landscape studies, Vanessa tries to unlock the effect of light to elevate a sense of the fleeting moment. She is inspired by the efficient use of calligraphic markmaking, value, and color in the works of Sargent, Zorn, and the WPA artists. The landscape studies of Tuscany present an opportunity for Vanessa to hone her skills of observation with new subject matter, methods, and materials.

Vanessa has participated in group shows through Studio Incamminati and the Realist League, and has works in a number of private collections.

In her pursuit of painting, Vanessa hopes to celebrate the beautiful light that falls upon us all in this corporeal world.