TWO SPRING ART EXHIBITS!

SHARED SPACES  by Regina Dorfmeyer
INK & AVES by Angela Eldridge

MARCH 4-APRIL 27

Artist Statements

Shared Spaces: Living with Urban Wildlife
In our increasingly urbanized world, the delicate balance between nature and human activity becomes increasingly complex. This body of work explores the intersection of urban wildlife and human environments, focusing on the often-overlooked interactions that occur in shared spaces.

Urban areas are not devoid of life; they serve as a backdrop for resilient species that adapt and thrive in the settings we create. Through my textural finger paintings, I pay homage to the creatures in our environment. Purple Martins nesting on Lake Erie while feeding on dragonflies and mayflies; deer foraging in the alleyways, and backyards of East Cleveland, butterflies fluttering through flower beds, and MAYBE even peacocks watching TV! 

My approach combines finger painting with bright, textural acrylics, heavy body metallics, water soluble oils, and mixed media to illustrate the intricate relationships developed in these shared habitats. Each piece is an exploration of coexistence, emphasizing the importance of fostering a sense of awareness and appreciation for the diversity of life that exists within our cities.

As we move forward in a time where urban expansion seems inevitable, it is essential to remember that these spaces belong to both humans and wildlife. The source of my textural finger paintings come from photographs my photographer friend, Rita Elswick captured, photographs I took and fantasies I have had. “Shared Spaces” can be humorous, wondrous; yet scary and real. My paintings invite you to consider how we can create environments that support the flourishing of all species, sparking a conversation about sustainability, coexistence, and respect for all living creatures. 

Through this exploration, I hope to inspire a deeper connection to the often hidden wildlife that thrives alongside us, encouraging a collective responsibility to preserve and enhance these “Shared Spaces” for generations to come.

-Regina Dorfmeyer

Ink & Aves
A refreshing reprieve from an over-saturated, over-Photoshopped artificial media landscape, Ink and Aves is an exploration of the natural world through the medium of linocut printmaking. Each print simplifies the subject to its basic lines, forms, and textures, allowing the viewer to experience the birds, animals, and organic forms in a new way.

-Angela Eldridge

Artist Bios

Regina Dorfmeyer

Regina E. Dorfmeyer is a 69 year old, visually impaired, self-taught, finger-painter. She was born highly myopic, and completely lost sight in her right eye December 8th 1988. As Regina’s sight continued to deteriorate, she made the decision to register as a client of the Cleveland
Sight Center. She eventually obtained a position as a Low Vision Product Specialist. While working a CSC, a client encouraged her to enter her first Arts Expression Ohio exhibit and she won second place Emerging Artist and People’s Choice in 2017! She was overcome with joy,
and she was inspired to keep at it! She began as an emerging artist, then, gradually won first place as a professional artist! Since then, Regina has won numerous awards through Art Possible Ohio. She has become a Freelance Live Artist through Beck Center For The Arts. She
has been invited to demonstrate her finger painting technique to Seniors at CSC as well as the Lakewood Art Festival 2023 and 2024. Her paintings hang in The George Floyd Gallery in North Carolina, and she has art currently on tour throughout Ohio. Regina has been invited to do a live fingerprinting demonstration for the Dublin Arts Council. She is currently registered with the
Ohio Arts Council.

To be a fingerpainter is to reconnect with ones childlike freedom while embracing the beauty of adult pain and passion. I’m a visually impaired artist who’s preferred medium is water soluble oils on canvas. Because of my limited vision, I tend to paint big, bright and deep as my emotions. The decadent paints I use behave like icing that make sumptuous peaks as I lift my finger. The brush and palette knife are wonderful tools, however, as fine art finger-painting artist, Iris Scott says, “ I have ten brushes. They are my fingers!” So I use them. I use everything. My nails, palms, knuckles if I have to in order to achieve the desired feeling. I believe my limited vision has been a blessing in disguise. My palette is diverse! I don’t mind integrating cools with warms. It’s the way I see the world.

Angela Eldridge

Angela Eldridge is a professional graphic designer and marketing consultant by day, Angela Eldridge sometimes wishes she was an ornithologist. She often combines her love of art, natural landscapes, and birds in her printmaking, finding that the textures and irregularities of linocut lend a refreshing, gritty "real-ness" to an over-saturated, over-Photoshopped artificial media landscape.

The exhibition reception is Thursday March 6, 6:00pm to 7:30pm
 Join us at this reception to meet the artists, explore the exhibitions, and enjoy light refreshments. Registration is required for this special event. REGISTER HERE

Contact Sandy Libertini for more information on Art at Audubon.