Moonscapes, Pets Focus Of Sky Art Gallery Show

There will be a full moon outside and a full house inside at Sky Art Gallery and Photo Studio on Friday, Feb. 2, from 6 to 8 p.m., when author/artist Emily Weinstein joins sculptor Tina Motley for an opening reception, book signing and painting demonstration.

The exhibition, which will run through Feb. 25, is entitled "Moon Book -- Cat & Dog Friends" and will showcase the animal sculptures of Tina Motley and original artwork from Weinstein's three books: "Moon Book," "Cat Book" and her most recent publication, "Dog Book." Both artists will be on hand to meet the public at the opening Feb. 2.

Originally from New York, Wein-stein has lived in Durham for the past 20 years, where she is well known for her murals, pet portraits and moonscapes.

She pursued formal art studies primarily at the Academie Charpen-tier in Paris, West Surrey College of Art in England and the Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, where she received a bachelor's degree in painting. Her work has been shown in museums and galleries all over North Carolina and Virginia, as well as in England.

Painting her moonscapes outdoors at night can be a challenge. Weinstein often wears a miner's light on her head so she can see the canvas.

She says, "As I sit under the moonlight, sometimes scared of being mugged, often bitten by mosquitoes or sleep-deprived, I distance myself from the scene and think, 'Here sits our heroine in these hostile circumstances.' I am coming to realize we are all villains and heroines in our own individual life stories. The planets may have some divine rights over us, but it is what we do with our lives that makes either poison or magic."

Weinstein has been an animal advocate for years, and all of the animals featured in her "Dog Book" and "Cat Book" are rescues of one kind or another.

On Feb. 25, she will return to Sky Art Gallery to paint pet portraits.

Paintings can be done live or from photos and will be by appointment only between 1 to 5 p.m.

The price for an original oil of your pet is $150 with two-thirds of the proceeds going to Solutions for Animals, operated by Cindy Bristow.

Solutions for Animals is a no-kill shelter dedicated to saving animals otherwise destined to die, including injured wildlife. Not coincidentally, Solutions once saved a groundhog, which seems only fitting since Feb. 2 is Groundhog Day and also the birthday of the Sky Art Gallery owners' two sons, Devon and London Gessner.

Tina Motley, also from Durham, will share the show with Weinstein in February. Her fantastic creatures and animal sculptures done in clay are inspired by her own menagerie, which consists of llamas, sheep, horses, pygmy goats, pot belly pigs, dogs and cats.

Each animal is individually sculpted from clay, slowly dried, and bisque- fired in the kiln. The piece is then glazed and fired again.

Motley received the Hobgood Art Scholarship at Peace College and earned an associate's degree in 1994. She then transferred to Meredith College and studied ceramics under Professor John Givvines. Motley was awarded "Best in Show" when she graduated in 1996.

Her work has been featured in newspapers and magazines and shown in museums and galleries all over the state.

Motley is one of the chosen artists filmed for HGTV's show, "Crafter's Coast to Coast."

"Please come without your pet and enjoy refreshments while meeting the artists and watching a demonstration of how the wondrous moon paintings are done," says John Gessner, the gallery owner. "Weinstein's books will be available, and you will have a chance to make an appointment for your pet's portrait to be done on Feb. 25."

Appointments may also be made by calling 944-9440.

Sky Art Gallery, voted "Best Art Gallery" in The Pilot's "Best of Moore" awards, is located at 602 Magnolia Dr., at the entrance to Magnolia Square. Hours are Wednesday through Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. or by appointment.

For more information, or a preview of upcoming shows, visit the Web site, www.skyartgallery.com or call 910-944-9440.