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The exuberant garden paintings and floral still lifes of Betsy Glassie will be on exhibit at Walker Home on William Street in Fredericksburg through June.

Betsy Glassie's pastoral artwork gives viewers an energizing breath of fresh air

Date published: 5/4/2006

By DAVE SMALLEY

The great ones take you to another state of mind. Doesn't matter, really, whether it's aggressive, sad, joyful, or amused--the art that matters most is art that affects the viewers, for at least a moment, in such a way that they are transported.

And that's really one of the strengths of Betsy Glassie's work. Stand before one of her pieces and the overwhelming feeling of being in a more beautiful place hits you. You're in the garden, you're at one with nature, and you remember that things aren't all about the material world and reality TV.

Despite the cares and woes of life, there is still beauty in this world--still a sea of flowers that transforms a routine day into the refreshing realization: We humans need nature more than we need another product that's packaged and marketed from a distant, cold office tower in a land far away.

For a moment, you get to go on a vacation from the mundane, and breathe deeply.

"Serenity," "peace," and any other words that convey the outflow of tension and the inflow of inner harmony, all apply here. "Pastoral" is the most obvious word for Glassie's work. Those unfamiliar with her favorite themes need to think "nature," in general, and for the show at Walker Home this month, "floral" in particular.

Saying Betsy Glassie captures flowers through acrylics on canvas is like saying Martin Scorsese captures life through celluloid on a screen--it's accurate, but it doesn't begin to capture the emotion. Nor the range. And that range, that ability to try different approaches even within similar themes, is one impressive aspect of this show.

For while she has her own signature style, Glassie pours a shot or two of ever-changing mood into each drink of tranquillity. This is not boring "look at the flowers" stuff. Even tattooed hard-noses can be affected by the sheer aura of these works.

Some are muted and moody, an Impressionist strolling the field at twilight. Others are bold and bright, shades of Van Gogh.

One of the most stays-with-you works along those lines is "Purple Pears in Situ." It features much harder lines than some of the softer moments Glassie creates, and it jumps off the canvas in a sea of bright color--purple pears, bien sur , in a tray, with a vibrant bright yellow chair that pulls the viewer in.

WHAT: Betsy Glassie's pastoral artwork WHERE: Walker Home, 409 William St., Fredericksburg WHEN: The exhibit will be on display through June. A First Friday reception, with wine and light refreshments, will take place tomorrow, 5-9 p.m. COST: Free INFO: 540/899-3683, walkerhomeinc.com

Date published: 5/4/2006