New art exhibit "Dreamscapes" opens at Baxter Chang Patri Fine Art

Dreamscapes features the luminous landscape paintings of Astrid Preston. Exhibit opens June 3rd with a reception for the artist at 5:30PM at Baxter Chang Patri Fine Art in the Hotel Nikko.

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) May 21, 2004 -- New Exhibit Dreamscapes" opens at Baxter Chang Patri Fine Art, featuring the paintings of Astrid Preston. The luminous landscapes of noted California painter Astrid Preston, will be exhibited at Baxter Chang Patri Fine Art June 3rd through August 3rd. A reception for the artist will be held in the gallery on June 3rd from 5:30-8:30 PM.

Astrid Preston paints neatly trimmed gardens, manicured trees, and sculpted landscapes of an idealized world. This perfection of natures bounty appears to be touched by human hands or by the painters meticulous brushwork. Subtle qualities of light and color blend with slightly skewed or multiple perspectives to create a sense of the surreal. Images of a dream-like nature prevail, stripped of modern or timely references, possibly scenes remembered rather than seen.

Prestons technique draws from the traditions of both Renaissance and Chinese painting. Her landscape painting evolved from an interest in images and symbols, their power on the emotions, and how they can become metaphors for lifes journey. She chooses to work with landscape imagery because of its accessibility and influence on our myths, beliefs and religions. On painting gardens Preston tells us, theyre full of metaphors for our emotions and thoughts. Our deepest feelings are reflected in nature." Prestons landscapes are landscapes of the mind more than of the external world.

Preston who was born in Sweden to Latvian parents moved to Santa Monica, California at the age of six. She began to examine the vast spaces of Southern California as she accompanied her architect father around the region on sketching exercises.

The daughter of two architects, Preston constructs her canvasses with order and geometric structure. Each detail is perfectly illuminated, is completely still, yet with all this visual information one senses something beyond such idyllic appearances. This may be a quality of unfolding personal and collective urges which in turn brings the viewer coming back for more.

Like the ancient Greeks, who saw in architectural forms the fundamentals of great metaphysical aesthetics. Preston strives for classical order, imposing this order on illusionist landscapes. She refines and idealizes natural beauty, reaching for the sublime with an exactness of detail." (Eleanor Welles, Visions Arts Quarterly.)

Preston has participated in numerous distinguished National and International group and solo exhibitions. In 1987 she won a National Endowment for the Art Fellowship award. Her works are included in numerous museum collections including: the Oakland Museum, Oakland, CA; Laguna Art Museum, Laguna Beach, CA; Orange County Museum of Art, Newport Beach, CA; Long Beach Museum, Long Beach, CA; McNay Art Museum, San Antonio, TX; Nevada Museum of Art, Reno, NV as well as many corporate and private collections.

Located in the Hotel Nikko in San Francisco, Baxter Chang Patri Fine Art specializes in contemporary painting, sculpture and photography. The gallery is co-owned by Holly Baxter and renowned San Francisco architect Piero Patri of Patri Merker Architects. The gallery brings an international array of established contemporary artist's works to the San Francisco art market. Business hours are Mon-Fri. 10AM until 6PM and weekends and evenings by appointment.

Calendar Editors, Please Note:
New Exhibit, Dreamscapes", featuring the work of Astrid Preston at Baxter Chang Patri Fine Art
What: New Exhibition Opening
Who:     Astrid Preston- Dreamscapes"
When: June 3rd- August 3rd, 2004

Premiere reception with the artist on June 3rd from 5:30 to 8:30PM
Where: Baxter Chang Patri Fine Arts Gallery, 222 Mason, off the main lobby of Hotel Nikko

Contact:
Holly Baxter
(415) 397-2000