Mangelsen & Cedarholm's Solstice; Le Fotographie Holiday Developments & More

Tuesday, December 21 is 2010’s Winter Solstice. A total lunar eclipse will occur that morning–very early. If it’s visible, this will be the last total lunar eclipse we’ll see for about three years.

It’s also the date world-renowned photographer Tom Mangelsen and painter Sue Cedarholm have chosen to debut new works. Winter Solstice, an artist reception, takes place December 21 at Mangelsen’s showroom “Images of Nature,” 170 N. Cache, from 5-9:00 pm.

A celebration of light, of rebirth. A time to renew, to consider what has come before, and what lies ahead. A time to contribute to Mother Earth’s well being. To dream, and to hold hands in the great circle of life. To me, these rituals and beliefs surrounding the Solstice are never far from Tom Mangelsen’s mind, or Cedarholm’s; in almost constant contact with Nature they travel the world, chronicling wildlife, parting the mists.

“May these images inspire you to experience and preserve the wonders of our natural world,” says Mangelsen. And while the camera is Mangelsen’s beginning and end point, Cedarholm’s paintings spring from photographs she takes. She and Mangelsen have worked together five years, two sets of eyes on the universe. Viewing Cedarholm’s graphic expressionistic acrylic canvases—-works bordering on the abstract, highly designed—alongside Mangelsen’s photographs provides views of nature taking us in and out of different spaces and alternating depths.

Summer’s hissing, a pool of salt water magnifying a crab’s red shell; steam rising from the Snake shrouds a band of elk–but we can inhale their scent, and the scent of the forest. Sun beats down on Kenya’s ubiquitous, graceful acacia trees. The soul of a jaguar is hot magenta. A mother polar bear and her cubs are at home, together, in the snow.

You can learn more about Mangelsen and Cedarholm–get a preview of their new works—by visiting www.mangelsen.com and www.suecedarholm.com. A Mangelsen-Cedarholm show may not come again for another three years. If I were you, I’d catch this one.

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Item #2

He’s got frames.

Photographer Edward Riddell’s new website Le Fotographie is taking off. Many special opportunities to bring art into your life can be found this season, but Le Fotographie’s prowess at providing beautiful photographs — taken in locations all around the world — at really great prices is exceptional. Riddell has added framing to the mix; now you can order any image with a simple, beautiful black frame.

Knowing Riddell’s penchant for perfection, I had full confidence in ordering an image for my mother on the occasion of her 80th birthday. And I admit–even though I’m thoroughly acquainted with Ed (and Lee’s) Riddell’s high standards for quality, it’s always a bit of a chance to send a gift to your mother that you’ve not seen first hand. My mom loves art; we’re a family steeped in art appreciation. Making the right choice was a big deal.

I chose Paul Adams’ “Salt Lake Arch, © 2005” and asked Riddell to send it to my Mom’s winter home in central Florida. The photograph’s body-of-water subject is bathed in pastel light and, while this is a true-to-life image, the composition has an abstract quality I was confident she’d love.

She did. She ripped the package open almost a week early and called me right away to tell me how much she loves the photograph. And she loved it for the reasons I thought she would. And THAT means that the choice of any image you check out at Le Fotographie is highly likely to live up to your expectations. And that chances of finding a holiday gift that will speak thoughtfully and artfully to your loved ones are quite good. If you’re shy about choosing a specific photograph, gift certificates are available, too.

HURRY. You have until the end of this week for Christmas delivery IF you mention the Jackson Hole Art Blog in your order’s comment box! :-) www.lefotographie.com

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Other Holiday Arts Happenings…..

Thursday, December 16th, take a holiday stroll ( but please watch your step, there’s a ton of ice out there! ) around downtown Jackson and visit galleries hosting Seasonal Art Receptions. Those galleries include:

Cayuse Western Americana An authentic Sheep Wagon and a new gold collection by Jackson artist Dawn Bryfogle set the stage for Christmas at Cayuse. Hours are 3-8 pm, so there’s an afternoon and evening’s worth of cheer. 307.739.1940 www.cayusewa.com December 16th.