Laura Rathe Fine Art presents “Intersection” group show starting March 27
(HOUSTON) When longtime friends and artists Katherine Houston and Cookie Ashton agreed to schedule an exhibit together at Laura Rathe Fine Art in March, they could not have foreseen what was to come. Ashton broke her right arm making it impossible to paint. Houston also put her art on hold, instead dedicating countless hours to organize Artists for Haiti, which raised $40,000 in disaster relief. Their plans for a joint exhibit had to completely change.
Gallery owner Laura Rathe saved the day by calling on two prominent Texas artists, Ray Phillips and Tamara Robertson, to join Houston in a group exhibition. The resulting show, entitled “Intersection,” opens March 27 and continues through April 24. A reception, open to the public, will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, March 27. Laura Rathe Fine Art is located at 2707 Colquitt in Houston.
“Lately, we’ve been featuring artists from all around the world,” Rathe said. “For this exhibit, we return to Texas. These are three of our best emerging artists. They are full-time artists who are totally committed to their work, showing across the nation and recognized for their achievements."
Rathe, who has been an art dealer for the past 10 years, moved into her gallery space on Colquitt just over a year ago. In selecting the location, she sought a space that would cater to a diverse offering of art. “We now have such a wonderful space,” she explains. “We don’t have to limit ourselves to any style or media. We have enough room for a range of work.”
“Intersection” will demonstrate this gallery’s propensity for variety. While the three artists call Texas home, their works are completely different in style, subject and media.
Artist Ray Phillips looks forward to his participation in the show, “I like group shows where the art is extreme and each artist is totally different from the other.”
Phillips’ highly sought after paintings, which he describes as “contemporary pop art,” are known for their layering, texture and composition. The artist paints “to please himself” but says that the process can be exhausting, because he strives for perfection. Phillips left a career as a graphic artist six years ago to pursue painting fulltime and has since sold thousands of paintings.
Houston also spends most of her time painting, dedicating about 60 hours a week to her art. This investment broker turned career artist works out of her home studio, creating abstract paintings on the back of Plexiglas. The technique, called painting in reverse, has been around since the Middle Ages. The result is not intended to hang in a window with light shining through like stained glass but instead to hang on a wall with light directed towards the piece, according to Houston.
“Painting in reverse can be more challenging than painting on canvas,” Houston explains. “You paint the foreground first, and your background and layers last. So you have to be very direct, because once you have applied the paint, it is very difficult to make changes. You can’t just paint over a mistake.”
Tamara Robertson, a native Houstonian who now resides in Dallas, started drawing and painting at age eight, enrolled in college full-time at age 16, and worked as a graphic designer before joining the graduate program at Stephen F. Austin State University. She later taught art at Amarillo College before making the move to creating art full time.
Robertson works in wall sculpture, paintings, drawings, and collages, using non-traditional and industrial materials. Her abstract subject matter shares a common theme of branching and vein-like linear patterns.
“I’m thrilled to be showing with artists of this caliber,” said Houston. “When your work hangs next to great artists, it’s a compliment to your work.”
For Laura Rathe Fine Art, “Intersection” keeps with the gallery’s mission to make great art accessible. “My goal is to become one of the best galleries in the United States,” Rathe said. “I want to elevate our artists, while keeping emerging artists in the mix. Plus, I want to enjoy the work.”
For more information about Laura Rathe Fine Art, visit www.laurarathe.com or call the Gallery at 713.527.7700.
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About Laura Rathe Fine Art:
Laura Rathe Fine Art is a full service gallery representing emerging and established artists, offering oil, acrylic and watercolor paintings, as well as sculpture, glass and fine art prints and posters. Gallery hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. Art may also be viewed by appointment. Laura Rathe also provides consultation services to corporations, businesses, institutions, architects, designers, developers and private individuals. Viewing of art is made simple, according to the client’s preferences: at the gallery, in the home or office or by digitally simulating the art within a space. www.laurarathe.com. 713.527.7700.
