Bret Bourman Opening Reception at Ursa Major Gallery: Beautiful Moments: Summertime, Oil Paintings of Local Subjects and Plein Air, Saturday October 19- 5:00-7:00 PM

B e a u t i f u l  M o m e n t: S u m m e r t i m e 
Oil Paintings of local subjects and plein air scenesby Bret Bourman
Exhibition Oct 19 - November 3  2013

Ursa Major Gallery Shelburne Falls  MA         
Opening Reception Saturday Oct 19 5-7 pm

Artist Bret Bourman was born on the East Coast to parents who were both internationally renowned ballet dancers. He began drawing and painting early in life, and had his first gallery show at age 16. His drawings of ballet dancers and theater have been acquired for the private collections of such artists as Rudolph Nureyev. Along with a career as a principal dancer, he continued to draw and study painting, creating portraits, stage designs, scenic works and sculpture. He later opened a studio in Los Angeles CA where he painted private and corporately commissioned works for more than a decade before taking up permanent residence in Western Massachusetts. He is a resident of Shelburne Falls.

These works are imbued with the stillness and richness of pastoral life.  Bourman's adeptness and precision, and his eye for form satisfy the viewer intimately.  Each painting is a revery on the moment and the place. More than memory or photography, each harbors an experience in the frame. Views of Shelburne Falls and surrounding towns are the subjects of these paintings.


Please join us for the opening reception on Oct 19th from 5-7 and visit the gallery from Oct 19th to Nov 3,  Saturdays and Sundays from 1-5, other times on request. Ursa Major Gallery is located at 1 Deerfield Ave in Shelburne Falls. MA

413 824 0502. ursamajorgallery.com

Bret is currently on staff at the Shang Shung Institute School of Tibetan Medicine

Slideshow of Sharing Light Paper Show at Ursa Major Gallery

Last night Ursa Major Gallery operated by Lauri Marder hosted an opening for Khandroling Paper Cooperative's main instructor, Sheryl Jaffe's show, 'Sharing Light." Lauri as usual laid a gorgeous spread for the opening which was well attended. Outside Sheryl set up a demonstration tent for passers by to make paper. For a few hours a lively group of adults and kids tried their hand at papermaking. For fibers Sheryl had earlier cooked up grass clippings, beat an old 400 count red cotton sheet in her critter, and brought some kozo to hand beat. The results were fantastic as you can see in the slide show.

If you live locally, please join us again next Saturday, for yet another outdoor papermaking demonstration at Ursa Gallery during Art Walk in Shelburne Falls. Sheryl's a great teacher and artist and fun to make paper with for the first time. Papermaking is a forgiving art and one always gets wonderful results. Stop by the Ursa Major gallery and see the show. [photos by Jacqueline Gens]

Ursa Major Gallery to Feature works by Paper Artist Sheryl Jaffe June 29-August 4, 2013

Maze Kaze, Sheryl Jaffe, Ursa Major Gallery June 29 - August 4, 2013

Sharing Light

an exhibit of handmade paper prints and sculpture.

Fibers and light that connect us, move us, reach us.

Sheryl Jaffe's luminous paper work installation is on view
Saturdays and Sundays from 1-5 pm
and by appointment  June 29- August 4
413-824-0502 or  413-585-9861

Paper- making reception   from 3-6 pm,  Sunday July 7

Shelburne Falls Art Walk    paper-making from 1-3 pm Saturday July 13

Fibers soak up water, absorbing everything in that water.  The fibers of our being, us humans also soak up water.  We, like fibers are held together by water and other fibers.  This is what paper IS.  Fibers that have been freed by their former constriction within the plant are now able to connect in any which way.  Their new connection is bonded through water.  Share a glass of water with a friend.  Go for a swim, make a new friend.  Make some paper and express your relationship.  How did you meet?  What binds you together?  Notice the light.  The light in the glass of water, the light on the surface of the river, the illumination of the river bottom.  Light and water.  What are we made of?  Elements that are new and different every day.  Light and water.  Plant fibers capture the light and water for our consumption, our expression, our pleasure and communication.  Share the light.

Sheryl Jaffe, 2013

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Sheryl is a new member of the Dzogchn Community and one of the founding members of the Khandroling Paper Cooperative.