Members' Reception: "Richard Mayhew: Inner Terrain"

MAH members are invite to a reception for a rare and timely exhibition of the artwork of Richard Mayhew (b. 1924).

Richard Mayhew works from inside the painting. His unique practice blends multiple genres in the history of art including Baroque landscape, Impressionism, plein-air, Abstract Expressionism, and Color Field painting using mechanisms from each. He calls his landscapes “moodscapes” as an introspective excavation of the terrain of his mind. Mayhew’s use of color is intuitive and is alive with emotion. When his work is viewed from a distance, fields of color become fields of space and resolve as landscape. Contrary to most traditional landscape painters, he works from memory, laying down fields of abstract color on the canvas, as if in a trance. When viewed up close, we are seduced by the paint itself that ultimately reveals yet another abstract layer

As Richard Mayhew approaches his centennial birthday, he remains an active painter developing an inventive mind and continuing to improvise his techniques. His work opens a dialogue for larger conversations about personal narrative, an innovative use of color, spirituality, and a lifetime of creative mindset.

Program

6:00 pm: Doors open
6:30 pm: Artist and curator remarks
8:00 pm: Event concludes

Richard Mayhew: Inner Terrain was organized by Sonoma Valley Museum of Art with curators Shelby Graham and Kajahl.

Presented with support from Community Foundation Santa Cruz County and Santa Cruz County Bank.

Top Image: Richard Mayhew, Atascadero. Serigraph Edition 47/150. Courtesy of Richard and Rosemary Mayhew.