The Shoe Factory Art
Co-op presents a new art exhibit at Starry Nites Café. “Gail Cunliffe:
The Box of Eight Explodes!” features new acrylic paintings on canvas by
the Webster, NY artist. Whether approaching her abstract
imagery with a palette knife or carefully planning an architectural
retro design, Cunliffe delivers a variety of painting styles in hot,
bold colors.
A Rochester
native, she spent most of her adult life raising a family while teaching
school; fourth grade at Rochester City School District and second grade at Holy Cross School. Not until
retirement did she venture into painting.
We interviewed the fledgling artist to gain insight into her creative
life.
Shoe Factory: When did you start creating art?
Gail Cunliffe: I did not start to formally create
art until I retired. What I realize now
is that during my twenty years of teaching, my classroom was my canvas.
Walls were always covered with murals and other colorfully explosive
displays related to various subject matter.
 |
| "Symphony of Colors" acrylic on canvas by Gail Cunliffe |
SF: Where did you learn your
craft? GC: Upon retirement, I took an introductory art course that absolutely
changed my life. I was always in awe of the beauty of the world
around me, both outside and inside environments. And now to be able to
put my interpretation of these spaces on canvas was a gift that I had
given myself.
I’ve studied with Lori Aman for two years. She is a local artist and an
art educator. I have taken workshops from Judy Soprano, Betsy Liano,
Valerie Larsen, Sandra Grana, and Jim Mott, all of whom are local artists.
 |
| "Cabo" acrylic on canvas by Gail Cunliffe |
SF: What
is your art medium? GC:
I paint with acrylics using a variety of materials such as brushes,
plastic and metal scrapers, squeegies, sponges, foam brushes,
rollers, etc.
SF: How do you
make your art? GC: My intent is not to always create
what I see. I am thrilled by using color crashing onto canvas as my own interpretation. For example, my southwest canyon series is painted
in an abstract format. My interiors tend towards a more realistic
approach but always with an element of abstract and a touch of the whimsical.
 |
| "Gray Matters" acrylic on canvas by Gail Cunliffe |
SF:
What are you
currently working on? GC:
I have begun to explore painting an enlarged single flower in an
abstract, somewhat blurry format. A constant is my use of bold
color. Colors that compliment each other
and colors that clash with a lot of noise.
 |
| "Blooming Flower" acrylic on canvas by Gail Cunliffe |
SF:
What or who are
your influences?
GC: My influences are artists John Nieto, Michelle Chrisman, Phyllis Kapp,
and Barbara Bowles.
SF:
Have you always
been a creative person?
GC: I'm a pretty straight forward kind of person who sets herself free
when I have a colorful palette and an artistic tool in my hand.
 |
| "Red Sunglasses" acrylic on canvas by Gail Cunliffe |
SF:
How has
being an artist changed or affected your life?
GC:
My style of art fits my wish to be less than perfect. It
allows me the freedom to "mess" with the world around me.
 |
| "Uptown" acrylic on canvas by Gail Cunliffe |
SF:
What do consider
some of your artistic accomplishments?
GC:
It is very encouraging to have my work validated by
professionals in the field who honor me with awards at local art shows.
SF:
What is your
favorite art related experience so far? GC:
The weekend that I spent in Albuquerque, New Mexico taking a workshop
from Michelle Chrisman. Painting on the banks of the Rio Grande from a
high bluff left me speechless.
 |
| "Fireworks" acrylic on canvas by Gail Cunliffe |
SF:
What is your
ultimate goal as an artist?
GC: To continue having people who purchase my art
come back to tell me how much they enjoy walking into their homes to be greeted
by my paintings.
SF:
What are your
needs as an artist in Rochester? What would you like to see changed?
GC:
I would like to see more local artists given the privilege to create art
for local facilities such as hospitals, Hillside, the Al Sigl Center, etc. I
will never forget the television program that featured how art along the halls
of cancer center hospital was often the catalyst towards healing as
patients spent great amounts of time walking, observing, and being thrilled by
the donated works of art. I would also
like to see more themed art as fundraisers, for example: artists create a
painting in their style on the face of a violin as a fundraiser for
Rochester's RPO.
 |
| Webster, NY artist Gail Cunliffe |
Exhibit Location: Starry Nites Café, 696 University Ave., Rochester, NY
Show duration: January 20th-April 5th, 2014
Hours: Open daily & nightly, call (585)271-2630, free admission
While viewing Gail’s artwork, Starry Nites patrons can enjoy specialty
drinks, gourmet coffees, beer and wine, homemade soups, salads,
sandwiches, and desserts!
Starry Nites Cafe website: www.starrynitescafe.com
Shoe Factory Art Co-op website: www.shoefactoryarts.com
To apply for an art show, visit the Shoe Factory website: http://www.shoefactoryarts.com/CallforArtists.html
