Pennisi Artist’s Statement

The discovery of my technique, “Painting with Both Sides of the Paint” grew out of my desire to truly “own something” as an artist. Uncovering the hidden side of painting radically shifted my career. In my earlier work, I was frustrated knowing where the painting would end up. The rest of the process was just a matter of moving to the inevitable conclusion. I wanted to find a way to stay open and be continually surprised and engaged.

I discovered my technique one day when the corner of dry paint on my waxed paper
disposable palette peeled up. When I peeled it off I was amazed at what I found on the hidden side of the paint. It revealed underlying gestural patterns previously hidden from the artist. It had a life and spontaneity that I had never seen before...
something that felt human but freed of any doubt or hesitation. So after many
experiments I found that I could paint on this clear cellophane typically used for giftwrapping, and when I glued it to the canvas the film would peel off, essentially
creating printing plates. Plus if I liked what I was also doing on the visible surface, I
could lay a piece of clear film on the wet paint and capture that image too.

This ability to utilize “both sides of the paint” gave me a freedom and expanded
palette that creates a seamless integration of line, paint and halftone. By stretching the boundaries of artistic conventions such as illusionistic depth, distinct figure and ground, I am able to bend the paint the way a musician bends a note.

There’s a dynamic tension between illusionary power and the sheer physicality of the paint. The paint vacillates between pure physical paint - Jackson Pollock splashes and splatters - to photographic Ansel Adams-like halftone. Much of the process is just looking..like finding animals in the clouds and Jesus in the toast, but ultimately taps into my unconscious narratives.

Having lived by the ocean in Maine for 30 years, the ocean theme runs through many of my works. Prior to discovering this technique, I always knew where a piece would end up. Now I must trust, push and cajole to end up with more of a poetic
approximation.

Solo Exhibitions
2016    
Painting with Both Sides of the Paint, Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center - Fort Myers, FL

            Painting with Both Sides of the Paint, Chico's Headquarters - Fort Myers, FL
2015    Painting with Both Sides of the Paint, Arts for ACT Gallery, Fort Myers, FL

Group Exhibitions
2017   The September Show, Alexandria Museum of Art, Alexandria, LA

2017    Black & White Exhibition, Alexandria Museum of Fusion Art Gallery, Palm Springs, CA

2016    The September Show, Alexandria Museum of Art, Alexandria, LA

2016    Landscape - Linus Galleries, Pasadena, CA

2015    Stand Before Us, Florida Gulf Coast University Gallery, Fort Myers, FL
            Black & White Show, Linus Galleries, Los Angeles, CA
            All Florida, Lee County Alliance for the Arts. Fort Myers, FL
            Black & White Exhibition Lee County Alliance for the Arts. Fort Myers, FL

2014    Florida Contemporary, Baker Museum, Artis-Naples, Naples. FL
            All Florida, Boca Museum of Art, Boca Raton, FL

2012    Royal Bean Gallery, Yarmouth, ME

2011    The Group Show, Space Gallery, Portland, ME

2010    Mill-ieu 2,  Westbrook, ME

2009    Mill-ieu Art Exhibition, Westbrook, ME
2007    The Group Show, Space Gallery, Portland, ME
2008    UMVA Group Show, Westbrook, ME
            UMVA Group Show, Freeport, ME

            Taking Panes, Richmond, ME
            Stadler Gallery, Kingfield, ME
            Retinal Delights , USM Gallery, Gorham, ME

2004    Waterville Juried Art Show, Waterville, ME


Awards

2016    Best of Show - Black & White,  UrbanRiche Gallery

2016    Honorable Mention - 31st Chelsea International Show, New York, NY


Lectures/Panels
2016    Painting with Both Sides of the Paint, Hodges University, Naples, FL

2015    Stand Before Us, Florida Gulf Coast University Gallery, Fort Myers, FL

            Painting with Both Sides of the Paint, Hodges University, Naples, FL


Education
1975-1979   University of Michigan, U of M School of Art  (1977-1979)


Born 1955 Ann Arbor, Michigan, resided in coastal Maine for 30 years
now living in Southwest Florida