Hello to a New Year with endless possibilities! Carpe Diem! From an artist’s perspective, “carpe diem” means actively capturing and expressing the fleeting beauty of a moment, whether it be through the vibrant colors of a sunset, the transient emotion on a face or the ephemeral quality of a particular scene, essentially using art as a tool to “seize the day” and immortalize a fleeting experience. The artists this month invite you to connect with a unique perspective on a moment in time.

Our guest artist for the month of January is Spencer Riddile. He is a self-taught artist who began exploring watercolor painting after leaving a job and graduate studies in geospatial information technology. In the midst of a life transition, making art has been something that he can simply do and share. A personal effort to make a meaningful contribution and connect with others through art.

The artworks he is sharing in this exhibit are a recent exploration of making abstract compositions using graphite, charcoal and watercolor. Spencer enjoys seeing how water affects and plays with these media. He has also been experimenting with arranging pieces of abstract paintings, leaving white space between them to create compositions.

Money spent locally stays in the local economy and continues to strengthen the economic base of the entire community. Small local businesses make indispensable contributions to communities and neighborhoods. Supporting local artists allows them the opportunity to continue to serve their communities. You will often see members of Artworks@7th supporting local charities and organizations by participating in art shows, teaching workshops, and donating items for fundraisers.