Cumberland, MD - Arts at Canal Place co-op gallery will feature the work of member artists Mary McCunn and Jean Barnes Downs in "The Hard & Soft of It" from Thursday, December 3, 2009 through January 9, 2010.  This is the third paired show for printmaker Downs and jeweler/sculptor McCunn whose artwork focuses this time on hard and soft colors, textures and rhythms of nature.

Along with McCunn's usual materials - copper, brass, and sterling silver - there is a strong presence of steel in her jewelry and sculpture.  The typical feel of her current work will be there, but with a new and occasional soft direction incorporating wool and other softer materials into her work.  She will utilize her metal techniques, presenting work that has both a soft, natural and organic feel, while blending it with a harder edge using geometric shapes and harder lines.  As in nature, these two can be found together: the soft fuzzy baby chick awaiting feeding in a hard branchy nest, the soft flowing hay around a piece of farm equipment, or a steel metal bridge or especially a lamb by a steel barbed fence.  Always present is this natural pairing of hard and soft.

Downs' monotypes feature strong simple abstract compositions with blocks of color and variations of hard and soft edges suggesting tender plants growing in a rock crevasse or water cascading over solid stone.  Geometric shapes are offset with the flowing contour line of drawing as she plays with mixing mediums incorporating pastel and the printing process of chine collé.  Ever present are her multiple layers of color and texture drawing the viewer into each piece to seek out a story hidden there.

You can learn more about the individual artists by visiting their websites: www.meadowbrookarts.com and www.solitudestudio.com.  Both artists will be present to discuss their work and greet visitors at the opening reception on Saturday, December 5 from 6 - 8 PM.

Arts at Canal Place is a local co-op artists' gallery.  Any artists that may be interested in jurying in to become a member is encouraged to call (301) 777-8199 for information regarding becoming a member.  The gallery, located at 16 Howard Street among the Shops at Canal Place Heritage Area, is open seven days a week, from 10 AM - 6 PM.