he Modbo and S.P.Q.R., the Arts Alley District, proudly present their newest shows. Opening on Friday, March 2nd at 5:30 pm with the opening reception going until midnight. The Modbo will host works of Joe Bonomo and Chris Alvarez, while we welcome newcomers Michael DeVore and Cecilia Thorell over in S.P.Q.R. Don’t miss this fantastic show! We’re delighted to have live music by The Ivory Banks on the evening of the opening reception. This group is the folky dream-pop duo of pianist/guitarist/vocalists Hillary Gruener and Willow Welter, with accompaniment by drummer Jonathan Johnson. The Modbo and S.P.Q.R. are located at 17B and 17C East Bijou St. in downtown Colorado Springs.
About the artists:
Chris Alvarez, showing in The Modbo, has been a student and teacher at the Cottonwood Center for the Arts in Colorado Springs since 1997. He studied under school founders Sparky LeBold and Chuck Mardosz for five years before becoming one of the first students to develop into an instructor. He also taught beginning drawing for five years at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, where he earned a BA in fine art with distinction. Alvarez’s work has won several awards, such as Plein Air Magazine’s grand prize at the Paint Historic Manitou Springs Paintout in Manitou Springs in 2005, and the grand prize at the Victor Celebrates the Arts Paintout in Victor in 2002. He is currently represented by the Seedboat Gallery in Silver City, NM, Egeli Gallery in Provincetown, MA and www.Chrisalvarezpaintings.com.
As an artist, Chris finds that there are no ordinary moments, that there are no ordinary scenes. As he observes everyday life, he also challenges his perceptions of what is interesting. Chris looks to find interesting compositions in routine life. He now believes that creativity is not only tied to what an artist can do with his imagination as it relates to original ideas, but to what an artist can do with the mundane.
Also at The Modbo, we welcome local artist Joe Bonomo. Joe will be unveiling a number of works of art based on a theme. Moving away from his previous style that gained him notoriety, this artist is now exploring other, more contemporary subjects such as in the steam punk culture. He has also decided to put together two other figurative collections. The first is a series of four paintings done as tributes to each season. The second series is comprised of four additional paintings dedicated to the arts: fine art, music, drama and dance.
Inherently a self-taught artist, Bonomo takes great care in his personal studies of the masters and innovators of the art world. Bonomo states, “I truly believe that the painter is his own best teacher and student.” Observation, exploration, and dedication have been his teachers. Bonomo pulls from a pool of knowledge accumulated by artists past and present with an exuberance that translates to his work.
S.P.Q.R. proudly presents newcomers Michael DeVore and Cecilia Thorell. Both are classically trained painters in the realist tradition. They met while they were both studying at the Florence Academy of Art in Florence, Italy. Though Michael came from America and Cecilia from Sweden, their mutual interests and attraction brought them together in spite of a slight language barrier. Studying at the academy, they learned traditional drawing and painting techniques that had been passed down from the old masters. The school also has a second location in Gothenburg, Sweden where Cecilia is originally from. Michael and Cecilia took the opportunity to transfer there for one year to study with the talented faculty and so Michael could get to know Cecilia’s family and culture. Soon after completing the school’s intensive program, the couple married in Stockholm, Sweden. Today Michael and Cecilia live and work in Colorado Springs where they feel inspired by the area’s natural beauty. They have both exhibited their work in various shows and galleries around America and Europe. Michael has his Bachelor of Arts degree in Art from Pepperdine University. Both artists are associate members of Oil Painters of America.