ART EXHIBIT
“Monday Night Play List” by Courtney Gruttadauria
Feb. 5 to March 3, 2025
Location: The Little Theatre Cafe
Opening Reception: 2pm to 4pm Sunday, Feb. 9, with live music by The Two Tones
Hours: Cafe Open Hours (see thelittle.org)

Artist Statement:
Monday Night Play List”, is a series of paintings that I have been working on since 10/21/24 for my solo exhibition at the Little Theatre Café Art Gallery. Each piece was created at the Anderson Arts Building at studio 402 on Monday nights during figure drawing sessions. I’ve drawn a majority of these models over the past 30 years and am familiar with their forms. My approach to the figure is rarely literal; it’s expressive. My intention is to feed off the model’s energy and disposition which creates a mood for my work. Focusing on the contours, shadows and negative space as opposed to the figure itself, I combine multiple overlapping poses on one page, constantly turning my paper and reworking the piece, until it feels finished. Also, the combination of the artists energy participating in drawing also effects the way I produce.
My favorite surfaces to work on are cold press rag paper and gesso board. Although a majority of this series I went back to using an easel and canvas after almost a decade of not painting with either. I usually start with Higgins ink using a liner brush and then proceeding with paint markers/Gouache paint. I rely on my senses and intuition while making artistic decisions. Movement, rhythm, and speed are an integral factor for me while I’m creating.
I consider myself a maker of any things with an emphasis on mixed media painting. My other joys in life are cooking, swimming, being in nature and hanging out with my two rescue cats Frida and Frankie Beau.
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