Patricia Avellan and Catherine Schmid

The pieces will range from small to large, done in acrylic and oil that are primarily in black, white and grey tones. Viewers are asked to contemplate, fill in the voids, and create a new understanding of the work for themselves.

Avellan believes that in their pure state, lines describe nothing but themselves, however, the lines in the work traces a personal journey across metaphoric and physical boundaries. Avellan’s process of multiple layers of lines is essential to the practice, exploring the creation of her lines to their fullest extent.

Born in Quito, Ecuador, Avellan studied at the School of Arts, Universidad Central and many institutions in Europe and New York City. Avellan spends her time between Ecuador and USA, most recently, she exhibited a solo show at 215 Bowery Gallery in New York City. Her paintings are found in many private collections in the United States, England, Ecuador, and Colombia.

Schmid’s inspiration comes from the fascination of strong contrasts: shadow and light, black and white, positive and negative. Schmid uses black in a spontaneous manner, where white is done in a thoughtful mastered process. The contrasts of dark and light reveal a psychological metamorphosis from the internal to the external world, evoking mystery, consciousness, and hope.

Born in Toronto in 1942, Schmid studied at the University of Toronto, where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree. Since 1994, she has been living in Eyragues, France. Here Schmid has her studio and gives private courses in painting and drawing. She continues to exhibit in Europe, mainly in France and Italy. Her paintings are in public and private collections in France, Switzerland, Canada, USA, Hong Kong, Japan and Indonesia.