Alla Prima: Classic Paintings by Charles J. Pinkney

SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio— The Clara Fritzsche Library will host “Alla Prima: Classic Paintings,” an exhibit of landscapes, still lifes and portraiture by Charles J. Pinkney. Alla prima, also known as direct painting, is a style of painting where, instead of building colors up with layers, the painting is done in one session while the paint is still wet. The term comes from the Italian phrase meaning “at the first” or “all at once.” The works are oils on linen and the bright colors and lush greenery present in the paintings are, in the words of the artist, “a reflection of how welcome spring is this year.”

Pinkney’s formal training as a painter began at The Cleveland Museum of Art. Art was his major course of study at Glenville High School, Cuyahoga Community College and at Kent State University. Pinkney also studied at the Cooper School of Art and Karamu House in Cleveland and has participated in workshops, exhibitions and seminars throughout the United States. While in Southern California, Pinkney co-founded the San Diego Portrait Society with Perrietta Hester. He is also a member of the Portrait Society of America and the La Jolla Art Association and has studied painting with Don Sebastian Capella.

Pinkney currently paints in his studio at the Fine Art Society, near Shaker Square in Cleveland, Ohio. His paintings are in collections around the world.

The exhibit is free and open to the public and will run from June 7 through July 27, 2007. An opening reception will be held on Thursday, June 7th from 5 to 7 p.m. with refreshments and music by Alice Seifullah. The show may be viewed during library hours: Monday-Tuesday 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Wednesday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; Sunday CLOSED; (CLOSED July 4th). For more information, contact Karen Zoller at 216-373-5267.