Ballard - Martz and Cox Holly Ballard Martz and Valaree Cox - New Paintings Valaree Cox October 8, 2008 - November 9, 2008 6:00 p.m - 9:00 p.m.         The Gunnar Nordstrom Gallery is pleased to offer new paintings by two northwest artists. Holly Ballard Martz of Bremerton paints thoughtful and lyrical images with messages in collage and iconography. These new images revolve around redundant figures juxtaposed to each other in interesting and thoughtful placement. At first glance you are haunted by the target symbolism, but lead quickly to being at ease as Martz allows the target to be more than an a paper object for an accurate shot. Martz has become a gallery favorite since her first exhibit in 2003. Valaree Cox after 12 years of working in metal as a jeweler and several more doing assemblage art, has now turned to painting.  "It is fulfilling for me to land in a place where I can combine those mediums on a 2-dimensional surface." "I love the process of building up on a surface starting with plaster, then paint and paper and using found objects to make my art.  It makes for an interesting look, feel and the question, why is she using an old fishing lure in a painting?"   Every single element in one of her paintings has a very specific significance to her.  "I love the viewer to find there own meaning or just an emotional feeling from each piece of artwork.  One they can love to look at over and over again." The work this year by Cox is all about 'Transition'.  Transition is a part of life that happens constantly, yet for many of us it is still something that is hard to adjust to. "The past year has been full of change for my family and me.  There were big shifts on many fronts that have profoundly affected the rest of my life and the best way I express my feelings about it is through my art. Each piece in this exhibit relates to a person or an event that has been part of that change, from a parent with physical issues to one with mental ones.  I used my own photographs taken over the years on each piece.  That was a satisfying media to combine with other elements that I like to use in the 'collage' and painting method I use in my mixed media work. The art was a transition for me and so it goes on and on…"          Valaree Cox Shift Now 18 x 24 Inches  Mixed Media on Board $ 1200 US Valaree Cox Air 12 x 12 Inches  Mixed Media on Canvas $ 450 US Valaree Cox Fire 12 x 12 Inches  Mixed Media on Canvas $ 450 US Valaree Cox Water 12 x 12 Inches  Mixed Media on Canvas $ 450 US Valaree Cox Earth 12 x 12 Inches  Mixed Media on Canvas $ 450 US Valaree Cox Yes Bay, No Way 18 x 18 Inches  Mixed Media on Board $ 950 US Valaree Cox Flown By 12 x 24 Inches  Mixed Media on Board $ 825 US Valaree Cox From my House to Yours 12 x 24 Inches  Mixed Media on Board $ 825 US Valaree Cox It Happens too Fast 24 x 12 Inches  Mixed Media on Board $ 825 US Valaree Cox Three for Three 18 x 18 Inches  Mixed Media on Board $ 950 US Valaree Cox Heading for the Country 20 x 16 Inches  Mixed Media on Board $ 950 US Valaree Cox Still Wanting It All 18 x 14 Inches  Mixed Media on Board $ 750 US Valaree Cox Losing Time 24 x 12 Inches  Mixed Media on Board $ 825 US Valaree Cox A Changing Day 18 x 12 Inches  Mixed Media on Board  Sold Notice: All artwork is the copyright of the respective artists and may not be reproduced without their written permission. Contact Information: Please call us at 425.283.0461 or, Email us at BuyArt@gunnarnordstrom.com  Gallery Staff: Gunnar Nordstrom - Director