Painted Meditations on the Landscape…New Paintings by Michael Monroe Ethridge at Pippin Contemporary

Michael Monroe Ethridge’s new show, “Meditations on the Landscape” demonstrates his bold use of color. “Even though my palettes have changed a bit and texture varies from painting to painting, the core of my creations is to give off a feeling of openness and freedom,” he says in a recent interview. “As a youth in the late ‘60s and ‘70s I was in the middle of change in my life, as was America itself. These changes against restrictive and conservative views remain with me until this day.

“Look at my paintings, they are a perfect example of unrestricted freedom and spirit: open skies of turquoise and lavenders swirl on the upper part of my canvases as one of my signature abstract landscapes takes form. Then it is balanced with the blending of color throughout the lower part of the canvas. This lower section forms a firm foundation of heavy textured paint. Although the solid earth tones show a land where there are no boundaries or borders, they are seamless as they interact and complement each other.”

Michael Montoe Ethridge began his art career in Wynne, Arkansas, under the capable tutelage of his mother, Mrs. Dick Ethridge, who was an accomplished wildlife and still life artist. Continuing art classes at Wynne High School and Arkansas State University, Ethridge won awards in both the fine arts and in his medical studies.

Ethridge’s art has also been featured in national magazines such as Southwest Art, American Art Collector and Artists and Galleries of the South, as well as many local and regional publications.

While art is his first love, Ethridge draws from an array of fine art experiences including a career as a professional musician, entertaining on two Carnival Cruise Line ships. He also landed the lead role in a Memphis area theater production, had appearances on The Nashville Network, and was the leader of the “Michael Ethridge Band” for 10 years. As a professional artist and musician, he understands how art and music can enhance a person’s life with healing properties for the heart and the soul. These days he plays and sings only for charity.

As more painting hours have accumulated over the years, each painting has more to offer. “There is more thought that goes into each painting; there are more colors, more blending, and most important, more uplifting and positive feelings that are shown in each composition.”

Ethridge has become more and more demanding of himself. “There is much harder work…and much greater reward!” he says.

Ethridge will be presenting several new abstract landscapes at his Pippin Contemporary show, each one with a different size, color palette, and message that he is confident will speak to the viewer. “When my paintings go home to a collector, a daily dose of tranquility and comfort will always go with them,“ states Ethridge.

“Painted Meditations on the Landscape,” a show of abstracted landscapes by Michael Monroe Ethridge opens October 8 and runs through October 29 at Pippin Contemporary Fine Art, Santa Fe, New Mexico. There will be an artist’s reception from 5 to 7 p.m. October 10.

Located at the gateway to historic Canyon Road, Pippin Contemporary, founded May 2011 by artist Aleta Pippin, is committed to showing abstract art that is fresh and vibrant, as well as collectible. Pippin Contemporary’s artists, selected for their energetic and tactile expressions, celebrate life with colorful and authentic insights, expanding the realm of possibilities in their artwork. Their expressions range from abstract paintings to sculpture in stone, metal and glass, bronze, and kinetic sculpture.

Pippin Contemporary provides a sensory experience of color and mood.