Ellen Perantoni (contemporary)
	Lowlands by the Mountains	Abstract, Village on a River
News of our gallery's New Hudson River School artist: On April 12, 2008, as part of the Hudson River Quadricentennial Celebration, a concert and multi-media performance will take place at "The Egg" performance center in Albany, NY, Empire State Plaza. The performance will include a concert by violinist/fiddler legend Mark O'Connor, with Saugerties painter Ellen Perantoni's painting "Ten O'Clock at the Pond" projected as a backdrop. The performance will be repeated during 2008-2009 in Peekskill, New York City, Oswego and Lake Placid. For info see http://www.theegg.org/events/412

Ellen Perantoni is of the New Hudson River School. She also has a Sedona series. See more of her work at http://www.bearsystems.com/EllenPerantoni/

Ellen Perantoni likens her inspiration to the same elements in nature that influenced the Hudson River School of painters.  She sees her art as a celebration of an optimistic belief in the goodness and benevolence of nature.  Ms. Perantoni describes her oil paintings, “My art conveys an uplifting message.  The paintings are beatific images of the parade of seasons through the magical valley that holds Woodstock, New York as its heart.”   Her love of nature in its pristine aspect led her to locate her studio is in a secluded forest on the lower slopes of Overlook Mountain where she is inspired by a view of the summit.  Ms. Perantoni sees fields, mountains and the “lordly Hudson” of Rip Van Winkle legend as examples of nature as healer and rejuvenator.

Spa owner Babs Moley says, “Ellen Perantoni’s oil paintings defy the trend away from traditional landscapes.  Her paintings of nature are so gentle and honest that they compel the observer to linger.  In stressful and uncertain times, these soothing gifts from the artist impart a sense of peacefulness and gratitude."

Ms. Perantoni began her studies at the Albright Art Gallery in Buffalo as a youth, and has continued her studies her entire life -- most recently studying with Hong-Nian Zhang at the Woodstock School of Art.  She is a Professional Signature Member of the New York Plein Air Painters, received a grant from NYFA in 2003, and was top 10 in three categories of ArtWanted in 2004.  Her work will be featured in a solo exhibition at the Whistler House Museum of Art in Lowell, Massachusetts in 2007.  Past exhibitions have included Origins of the Waters River Gallery, Irvington; Catskill Colors, GCCA, Catskill, Halfmoon Studio, Saugerties; Olana Art Exhibition, Hudson and many others.  She is represented by The Driftwood Gallery, Peekskill, NY; the Lenox Gallery, Lenox, MA; Albany Center Galleries, Albany, NY and Bodega Bay Heritage Gallery, Bodedga Bay, CA.