Women's Research Center hosts its first art exhibit of the year

About five times a year, The Women's Research Center at the University of Central Florida holds exhibits showcasing the talents of local artists.

The opening reception for local artist Annette Margulies' gallery, "Spiritual Journeys," was held Thursday from 3 to 6 p.m. in the research center.

"Painting has been and continues to be a spiritual journey for me," says Margulies, who has been painting since early childhood. "Even though I was trained as a classical pianist in my childhood, I always enjoyed drawing and playing with colors."

As she continued into adulthood her love for painting grew. When her job as a software engineer was downsized a few years ago, Margulies decided to turn an unfortunate circumstance into an opportunity.

Margulies went to Tuscany for a painting workshop. While there, she painted from nine in the morning, to six or seven o' clock at night against the backdrop of the Tuscan landscape. Although it was challenging, it didn't feel like work to Margulies.

"The process of creating and interpreting what we saw was so satisfying to me," she said.

Upon her return to the states, she decided to enroll in the Crealde School of Art in Orlando, where she was offered a fellowship. The experience changed her life, and it was at that point that she decided to pursue painting professionally.

"I knew that's what I wanted to do," Margulies said.

Margulies uses her art as a medium to convey powerful human emotion and experience.

"I paint because our passions, dreams, and hopes are such an integral part of the human experience that expressing such a wide range of emotions on canvas is irresistible," she said.

Using acrylic paint, Margulies uses big, gestural strokes to create the abstract. Her paintings never depict things found in the real world, but instead transport viewers to a dream-like landscape.

"I wish I had studied Jazz instead of classical music as a child because I love to improvise—abstract painting allows me to do that," she said.

During the editing process of her work, she finds that simply surrendering to what is on the canvas is the best way for her to complete a painting. The finished product often takes on a mind of its own, and rarely turns out to be what she envisioned.

Take, for example, her painting, "From Darkness to Joy." From the edges of the canvas creeps out an all-consuming, dark, muddy gray. As Margulies continued with the painting, she began to feel happy and lighter, which is illustrated by the sudden burst of warm yellow and orange hues that emerge through the middle.

Margulies describes her paintings as fluid and rhythmic, and she uses this sharp contrast between dark and light colors in a lot of her work. For her, the contrast mimics real life and how it is often a contrast between light and dark times.

"I find her art very inspiring, and it's colorful," said Fran Ragsdale, the associate director of the research center. "It makes a person feel happy."

Dr. Leslie Sue Lieberman, the director of the research center, was the host for the evening and greeted guests with their choice of beverage and hors d'oeuvres.

"We're very honored that she's here," said Lieberman, who invited Margulies to display her work.

The exhibit brought in artists and novices alike, who stood in front of the paintings and contemplated their depictions.

"I want the viewers' imagination to be engaged and have them draw his or her own conclusions, and just enjoy the painting," Margulies said. 

The exhibit will continue to be held until February 25, in suite 360 of the Women's Research Center.