New in the Gallery
Pastels by Plymouth Artist Virginia Briatico
Virginia Briatico is a Plymouth-based pastel artist specializing in wildlife, nature-related themes, and pet portraits. Several of her paintings are now on display at Books & Art on Main. Paintings include Little Dandy (Black Rooster) [shown here], Papa Bear (Black Bear), The Perfect Pad (Green Frog), Treading Thin Ice (Fox Crossing Pond), White Lightning (White Rooster), Bamboo Lookout (Cardinal in Bamboo), Fiery Vision (Large Cardinal/Bittersweet), Small Owl, Big Attitude (Saw Whet Owl), and Bi-Colored Boletes (Mushrooms).
After retiring as a finance administrator, Virginia took a class in pastels taught by artist P. Abbe Wade (P. R. Baily), at the Farmington River School of Art. That served as a catalyst for her artistic journey. Wildlife viewed through her window in a former home overlooking a lake has inspired much of her work, along with subjects from her rural childhood. Sightings that have inspired her paintings include those of broad-winged and sharp-shinned hawks, osprey, great blue herons, belted kingfishers, mallards, and merganser ducks. Additional subjects Virginia loves to paint include butterflies and flowers in her garden, birds at her feeder, and the occasional fox and black bear.
Virginia's pastels are sought after by collectors and have been exhibited at P.S. Gallery in Litchfield and at other galleries throughout Connecticut. Her solo exhibits include "Wings, Paws, and Petals" at the Stanley Whitman House in Farmington; "Wild and Fancy" at the Gallery on the Green in Canton (as a member of the Canton Artists' Guild); and an exhibit at the Harry C. Barnes Memorial Nature Center in Bristol. She has also participated in two juried exhibits. Her depiction of a Great Blue Heron was featured in an online virtual exhibit hosted by the Great Hollow Nature Preserve, New Fairfield. Her pastel of a Barred Owl was featured in a New Hartford Art League juried exhibit.
Virginia's paintings are on display through January 2.
Welcome to Books & Art on Main
About Us
We are located in Plymouth, Connecticut, in a former library building built nearly a century ago. Our shelves are filled with new and used books. Our walls and cases feature paintings, prints, objets d'art, and art supplies to inspire your creativity. Soft music adds to the calm oasis that awaits your visit. Our 90 years of combined book and art experience is ready to serve. Backgrounds in publishing and commercial and fine art and design provide outstanding depth of knowledge to help you.