"Stepping Outside" by Wendy Spratt

Wendy Spratt's "Stepping Outside"

Showing at the Nevada City Winery Gallery June 29th – July 30th

Opening Reception: 

Friday, June 30th | 5:30–7:30 PM

Live music by Tom MacDonald & Tony Unger - "Perforated Pop with a Flamenco Jazz Twist"

Nevada City Art Walk: 

Friday, July 7th | 6:00–9:00 PM

Meet the Artist from 6:00–8:00 PM 

About the Show

Wendy Spratt‘s “Stepping Outside” delves into new territories of exploration and discovery. 

In past series, Spratt has shown she is more than capable of a wide range of techniques and styles. With this show, viewers will be treated to a smorgasbord of approaches and themes. 

She is known for her strong vibrating colors, magnified perspectives of nature’s botanicals, birds, and bugs. Though for this current show, Spratt reveals new directions, she unlocks and opens doors that lead us through her transition, adding a whole new feel to her work. As well, her range of subjects reflect that transition;

Figurative women: mythical, majestic and Goddess-like, beautifully interlaced and surrounded by nature’s abundance. They are the essence of intrigue.

A colorful tiled balcony overlooking an open terracotta building, in the foreground a bare tree, all facing a vista of an intense blue ocean.

Softly curved autumn-colored cliffs, folding into the sea or old wise trees reaching into a mysterious forest. 

This is a dynamic and diverse show, each piece holds an Artist’s love for exploration. Wendy Spratt is “Stepping Outside” the box.

Artist Statement

Wendy Spratt talks about her show “Stepping Outside” at the Nevada City Winery Gallery

My new work has been a process of 'Stepping Outside'. Firstly, I've stepped out of my comfort zone. Smaller canvases have replaced my usually larger ones, moodier hues painted over bright bold colors, more space between the viewer and the viewed, not the close up, in your face, subject matter I'm more familiar with.  I've enjoyed this last year of painting, experimenting with so many different techniques, textures, tools and brush strokes...just playing! 

And secondly, the only fine slender thread holding this consistently inconsistent body of work together is the 'Stepping Outside' into the great outdoors subject matter. Places I have been on this amazingly beautiful planet that have moved me, broadened my perspective and deepened my gratitude, inspiring me to want to grab my paint brush and capture even the smallest reflection of this magnificence! 

About the Artist

“I have been creating art for as long as I can remember. My first piece at age 3, was ‘Mountainous Lake Scene’ crayons on wall, much to my mother’s chagrin. Since then, I’ve worked in numerous mediums, clay, printing, mixed media collage, oils, acrylics, pen and ink, and watercolors. 

Currently I’m loving the challenges of painting and I’ve also been exploring woodburning. It is during these times when I'm the happiest and most centered, where all my to-do lists mysteriously disappear and life is good!”

Wendy Spratt has shown her work in galleries and numerous venues throughout California, including Sonoma County, Nevada County, and at the Healdsburg Center for the Arts. She was selected to participate in 'Art in Public Places' by the City of Davis, who chose one of her exhibited pieces to promote the event.

Spratt has won several awards in juried exhibitions. Locally she won ‘Best of Show’ at the Nevada County Draft Horse Classic event.

Wendy lives and creates her art in Northern California. She loves to travel with her partner of 37 years.