Sonja Jacobson: Color Tells a Story: A collection of work for a first-time show
and
Joanne Ravgiala: Here and There
at the Seacoast Artist Association during the Month of September

Sonja Jacobson has always had a love of art but never believed she could be an artist. She is an esthetician and makeup artist with her own business in Exeter called Sonja’s Spa Spot. Sonja has taken classes at a community college and at the MFA school, but it wasn’t until she started studying with Pamela Dulong Williams several years ago that her passion for color bloomed. “It was with her guidance and painting with other artists that I developed my love of composition and how to use it and color to help others see the world a little bit as I do!” says Sonja.

“These paintings represent my interest and exploration of color and how it tells the story in each painting, whether it is a Still life, a Portrait, or a Landscape. It is the first time I have shown any of my paintings, and I think this gives viewers a look how I see beauty in color. I am inspired every day by everything I see in the world and I’m looking forward to studying with other painters as I have much to learn. My partner in life Jim Ryan is also a painter and he inspires me to believe in myself and we plan to paint together for the rest of our days!”

Joanne Ravgiala particularly enjoys sights, sounds and smells of plein air painting and the wonderful story-telling quality of capturing a moment on canvas. Watercolors provide magical transparency and freshness in her work, while oils give a tactile sensory feel to her paintings. Painting and drawing the beauty of the human figure is a fascinating challenge for her. Most of all she cherishes the mutual trust and friendships she has developed with art colleagues in her painting experience.

A graduate of Plymouth State College, she feels fortunate to have had Karl Drerup, master painter and enamelist, as an instructor. She attributes much of her love of all art forms to his inspiration and encouragement. Her many years of teaching fifth and third grades in Somersworth Public Schools gave her the opportunity to bring her enthusiasm for art to her students.

Her winter home of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, provides extraordinary options for painting and enjoying the arts. There she continues to be encouraged and inspired by children as she brings weekly art activities to the young residents of a refuge.

Please join the SAA for a reception for these, as well as for the September theme show “Harvest Moon” and new work from the gallery members, at their “Second Sunday” reception on September 12, 4-6. Thank you for wearing masks inside the gallery. Please email gallery@seacoastartist.org for more info.