TimesLeader.com

Trio of talent

By Don McGlynn dmcglynn@theabingtonjournal.com
Reporter/Photographer

SCRANTON - For the past five years, Abington area residents Joanne Benson, Maryann Williams and Phyllis Rennie have been painting together, so it seems only fitting that their exhibit, “A Winning Combination,” in Scranton would also include their work on display jointly.

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Above, ‘Sheltered Under the Pines,’ Oil by Phyllis Rennie

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Above, ‘Factoryville Farm View,’ Pastel by Joanne Benson

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The three will have their work featured at Creedon’s Flower Shop and Art Gallery, located at 323 N. Washington Ave., Scranton, starting Friday, July 3.

The trio belongs to Pennsylvania En Plein Air Society (PEPS), a group dedicated to the tradition of painting directly from life. Since they all live in the Abingtons, they began getting together and painting outside as members of PEPS.

“We paint together out on location at least half a dozen or more times a year. We live close enough to each other that we can call one another up on the phone and say, ‘Hey, lets go painting’ and being friends, we decided to do a show together,” said Benson, of North Abington.

The three have been a part of group and solo shows before, but this is the first time their work will be featured together at First Friday Scranton. The artists paint together some of the time, but each one brings her own unique style and taste to the show.

Benson works with watercolors, pastels and, most recently, oils. She credits painting outdoors with increasing her observational skills, saying that now she sees paintings around every corner.

Rennie, of South Abington Township, paints almost exclusively with PEPS and her work is generally done all at once. Occasionally will she return to a location to finish a larger work that she was unable to finish during one session. She often makes suggestions in the paint and allows the viewer to fill in the finishing details with their imagination.

Williams, of Dalton, is primarily self-taught and works with watercolors and oils. She explained that she finds watercolors “to be very challenging and the beginning of an adventure. Each piece is different because you never know how the paint and water will react on paper, it can be somewhat unpredictable. The transparency is what makes them beautiful.”

Each artist will have about 20 pieces on display of different styles and sizes ranging in price $85 to $500.

The show came about after Benson approached Jeff Creedon, the owner of Creedon’s Flower Shop and Art Gallery about the possibility of having a show there. He saw their work and invited them to participate.

“It’s a nice venue, lots of nice wall space, not cluttered, so people will be able to focus on the artwork,” said Benson.

Benson, Rennie and Williams’ work will be on display throughout the month of July. An opening reception will be held on Friday, July 3 from 6 to 10 p.m. For more information call 570.343.3563 or 570 954-1489.