"The Bald and the Beautiful" - this is what the two Artworks Around Town member artists who will share the Studio Gallery for the month of February have chosen to title their exhibit. Visitors to the opening of the show at the monthly Gallery Hop, Friday, February 6th from 5:00 to 8:00 will have no trouble deciding which is which when Gallery President, Liz Neumann and Vice President, Jeff Mamone display their work at the evening's festivities!

The Artworks Gallery is located in the North end of the historic Centre Market at 2200 Market St., Wheeling. The Hop is free and open to all.

A charter member of Artworks Around Town, Liz Neumann is a lifelong Wheeling resident. She has been actively painting in Oil, acrylic, and watercolor media for over 35 years. She has explored many techniques, one of the most recent being the use of palette knives in oil and acrylic painting, a method of applying paint which adds depth and dimension to the finished piece.

Describing the paintings she does "close to home", she explains, "My forte is mixing outdoor panoramas with special chosen objects. The seasonal vistas of the hills of West Virginia have had a great influence on my work. " Her studio in her Foxberry Farms home which she shares with her friend, Coco, the Chocolate Labrador, is surrounded by the woods, rolling hills and pasture fields from which she draws her inspiration.

Travel is another inspiration for her paintings. Liz is a member of the group called "Journee de Pienture" a group of European and American Plein Aire (painting outdoors) artists who meet each year in different countries to paint and study. Her travels throughout Europe, looking at and studying the masters in many famous museums have had a tremendous influence on her work.

Following her formal education, she has studied with many artistss, including: Rowena Ruminski, Charles Pitcher, Bill Gerhold, Wilda Freeland, Mark Fleming, Karl and Pat Jacobson, Wes Wagner, Cece Rose, Mike Reppy, Tom McNichols, also Liz White, and Joan Bitzer of Captiva, FL.

Liz's work has been shown in many juried shows throughout the Ohio Valley and garnered many awards. Her work is in many private collections locally as well as in Washington, DC; New York, NY;Houston, TX; England, Switzerland, and France.

Liz's artistic philosophy is drawn from the writings of a remarkable artist and teacher, Robert Henri from his book, "The Art Spirit" in which he says, "Art is, after all, a trace-like footprint which shows that one has walked bravely and in great happiness."

In her artist statement Liz remarks upon this philosophy, "I have shown bravery in my work, beginning with great desire and accomplishing my goal. Oil painting was my first attempt at art on a canvas. It worked for a number of years until someone challenged me with acrylics. 'You won't be able to use acrylics,' they said. My reply was, 'Do you want to bet?' Another brave step for me, and it worked like a charm. I fell in love with acrylic painting. The same challenge was given to me about using a palette knife. They said I couldn't, but I did! So I have created bravely and with great happiness, and my hope is that you share the happiness these works have given me."

Jeff Mamone grew up in Martins Ferry where his talent for art was apparent at an early age as he spent much of his time, as he tells it, "Drawing, cartooning, and cultivating an interest in photography". He gives much credit to strong art programs through grade school and High School for keeping his desire to create alive, and, particularly, to art teacher, Roy Reithmiller who encouraged him to pursue a career in art. And this is exactly what he did, studying at Edinboro University where he received a BS in Art Education in 1976.

After graduation, Jeff began teaching art in the Martins Ferry School District, but he left teaching after 3 years to further pursue his interest in photography which, along with metal work, had become somewhat of a passion during his college years. He opened a studio in St. Clairsville concentrating on portraiture and commercial photography.

He worked to increase his knowledge of the science of light, going so far as to build his own lighting equipment to achieve the unique lighting techniques he was seeking for certain effects in his work.

Over a nine year period he followed a natural progression from still photography to video and audio production, operating an independent production studio for 2 years. In 1989 he took his current position as Visual Arts and Multimedia Productions Instructor with the Shadyside Local School District.

Jeff continued his education, earning a Master of Science degree in Art Education from Miami University of Ohio with a concentration in bronze sculpting. A talented and versatile artist, his current body of work includes photography, painting and jewelry with an emphasis on handmade glass beads and handmade chain highlighting traditional Nordic, Celtic and Byzantine designs.

Another interest is historic preservation, and he is Past President of the Architectural Board for the downtown historic district of St. Clairsville, Ohio. This concern for the past is reflected in his artist statement in which he says, "As an artist I feel that it is paramount that cultural history be recorded and preserved through my work. Not only should I strive to bring forth internal interpretation in my work but also the current temperament of society. Combining these two factions allows future generations to view a cross-section of society just as we gain knowledge and insight of past cultures through the artwork of their time."

Jeff's work has been displayed in several venues throughout the Ohio Valley including: The Ohio Valley Art Teacher's Show in 2007 and 2008, The Oglebay Institute Pleine Aire Show 2006 and the Foxberry Farm Pleine Aire Show 2008, Art and Architecture of the Ohio Valley 2008.

Jeff, and his wife, Lynne, have recently moved into a 100 year old plantation style home overlooking the Ohio Valley in Martins Ferry, Ohio.

The newly designated North Gallery of Artworks Around Town will host the work of the Children's Home of Wheeling. Gallery member, Joyce Patterson Schultze, is the head of the art program for the home.

The Gallery Hop will offer refreshments and music to visitors. More information may be obtained by calling (304) 233-7540 or at our website, ArtworksAroundTown.org.