Date: Fri 30-Apr-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: SHANNO

Quick Words:

Reilley-Ethan-Allen-florals

Full Text:

The Cure For An Artist's Spring Fever? An Exhibit!

(with cuts)

BY SHANNON HICKS

WOODBURY -- One morning earlier this week, Carol Reilley was putting a lot of

thought into hors d'oeuvres. The Juniper Road resident was in the final stages

of planning what to serve and how much to prepare for a special party where

she will be both host and guest of honor this weekend.

On Sunday, May 2, paintings by the Newtown artist Carol Reilley will be

featured in a new exhibition at Fine Line Art Gallery.

An opening reception will be hosted by the Main Street South gallery on Sunday

afternoon from 2-5 pm. In addition to meeting the artist, visitors will also

have the opportunity to enjoy live jazz and refreshments.

The exhibition's title, "Spring Fever," describes the show's theme. The show

is a collection of all new paintings by Carol Reilley. All of the works are

watercolor or oil. A number of florals and landscapes are included in the

exhibition, many of which depict nature emerging into spring after a long

winter.

"As someone who was raised in the south, these Northeastern winters really get

to me," Mrs Reilley said this week. "I think that's why so many of my works

focus on the bright colors of florals.

"You don't appreciate spring, and the new life of each season, as much when

you live in a hot climate year-round, but when you come from the south and see

these wonderful changes every spring, you can't help but be in awe of such

things."

"Spring Fever" is also a special personal theme of the artist. After 25 years

in a career as vice president for Ethan Allen, Inc., Carol Reilley has chosen

to return to her painting career full-time. It was a tough decision, but

something Carol knew was inevitable.

Mrs Reilley was raised in an artistic home. Her mother, Florence Thomas, is a

successful painter, and the two women presented a special mother-daughter show

at Southbury Public Library late last year.

"From the time I was raised I think I was always meant to be an artist," Carol

said. "I think I had a brush in my hand from the get-go," she laughed. "I

always knew I wanted to be an artist, but after college the big cruel world

hit me smack in the face, and so I got diverted into a very successful

marketing career."

Carol is a graduate of Kent State University and Parsons School of Design.

Once she finished her education, though, the reality of finances was something

that could not be avoided. Like most artists, Carol soon found she had to put

her true love on the back burner for a while.

"I knew in my heart being an artist was what I always wanted, but practicality

in life will take you in different directions. You need to make sure you and

your family are taken care of first. You need to make sure you are financially

OK first." So art became something Carol was only able to do evenings and

weekends, for nearly 25 years.

The exhibition that is opening at Fine Line Gallery this weekend is a

celebration of a new life for Carol. She has spring fever this year, not only

after getting over another New England winter, but also because it is time to

present her first solo show as a full-time artist.

She is a firm believer, she says, in "getting out when you are ahead of the

game," which was what helped her decide to end a marketing career with Ethan

Allen.

"It was difficult, of course," Carol says of leaving the corporation where she

had led her professional life for more than two decades. "I had made a lot of

great friends, and some very strong associations with other business people,

but I knew in my heart I wanted to return to art. And so when I hit middle

age, exactly middle age, I realized if I don't go for my dream now I may never

be able to."

Carol is a member of a number of local artists' organizations, including the

Society of Creative Arts of Newtown, Inc (SCAN). She was the chairman of

SCAN's 1998 spring show, and was instrumental in moving the annual juried show

into its new location, C.H. Booth Library in Newtown. (SCAN's 1999 Juried

Spring Show opens on May 8 at the Newtown library.)

She is on the board of SCAN, as well as the Kent Art Association. She is also

an active member of the North East Watercolor Society and the American

Watercolor Society.

Carol's work has been published by Parsons School of Design. It has also been

included in the private collections of major American corporations and

universities. Two years ago Carol was invited to show some of her art at Fine

Line Gallery as a guest artist; now she is a member of the gallery that boasts

20 artists from the New England area.

Carol holds degrees in fine art and design, and currently lectures on an

ongoing basis for several universities in Connecticut including Western CT

State University in Danbury. She also leads classes out of her home studio.

Carol's studio is located within the family home on Juniper Road. The entire

Reilley house, in fact, could be considered one big studio, as Mrs Reilley's

husband is Duane Reilley, a professional musician.

Duane will be one of the musicians performing Sunday afternoon at the opening

reception for "Spring Fever." He performs on woodwind instruments and plays

with a number of groups that specialize in jazz, classical and swing. His

partner in The Duane Reilley Duo, the group performing this weekend, is the

pianist David Childs. The musicians will be performing continuously during the

opening.

"These openings can be pretty nerve-wracking for artists," Carol mentioned.

"The presentation of your art is a very difficult aspect of being an artist.

You can stay closed away in your studio for months and months ... but you need

some public feedback.

"I find sometimes the public isn't sure what is expected of them at these

openings. I think some people feel they have to purchase something or they are

insulting the artist, but that really isn't the case.

"To me, they are a bit nerve-wracking but they are also a lot of fun. It's

like a thank you for the public, for their loyalty. My life is not just making

money and doing business anymore. It's more important to know the people and

to enjoy this new energy I have found."

Fine Line Gallery is in Sherman Village in Woodbury, at 682 Main Street South.

"Spring Fever" will be on view through May 25. The gallery can be reached at

266-0110.