Spring has been lurking around the corner since February but it feels fully established with the new and colorful exhibition "Intertwined," an exhibition of works by artist Judy Friday. This show, opening April 19th is the next chapter in the life of a multi-talented artist who fearlessly faces a variety of creative media with consistently great success. Over twenty new works in oil, pastel and textiles will be on view at The Cooley Gallery in Old Lyme to attest.
 
Judy was born in Ohio and moved to Lyme after living in New York. Her talents as an artist have dictated her path ever since. "Intertwined" reflects Judy's latest passion of weaving. Large, beautifully hued oils on canvas and gestural pastels echo the pushing, pulling and layering motions made at a loom. For this exhibition Judy leaves her representational work aside and delves into the intuitive joy of color and line. Marks on paper stand alone or become an element of a deep pattern and variation. It's only with years of discipline and training that Judy can yield so successfully to the emotional pleasure of movement and bouncing light. Collectors are encouraged to look down as much as they are to look at the walls because Judy's weavings will also be displayed underfoot.
 
"Intertwined - outside forces coming together to be joined for a new purpose or identity - is a recurring theme for Judy. Her explorations in whatever medium she's working on at that moment serve to reinforce the previous. Maybe it's just the timing but for me this collection represents a joy and energy so many of us suppress in the face of the quotidian bombardment of bad news and suffering. I look at these and feel reminded that there is good and beauty intertwined in everything," says Betsey Cooley of The Cooley Gallery.

This exhibition opens Thursday, April 19th and runs through May 19th, 2012.  There will be an opening reception for "Intertwined", Thursday, April 19th from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Founded in 1981 and located in the heart of historic Old Lyme, the Cooley Gallery specializes in fine American paintings from the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries, including the Hudson River School, American Impressionism, and select contemporary artists.
 
Regular gallery hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 10am to 5pm. Please call (860) 434-8807 or visit www.cooleygallery.com for additional information. The Cooley Gallery is located at 25 Lyme Street, Old Lyme, CT 06371.