Review – Jane Morassutti, Hole Studio Art
The graphic realism paintings by Jane Morassutti can easily be likened to the works of the Group of Seven greats Lawren Harris and Arthur Lismer in technique, and Alex Colville in her ability to freeze a moment in time, capturing it through her brilliant use of light, colour, and intimate composition.
There is a sense that every picture is telling a story, and the viewer has been warmly invited into Jane’s personal life. It is easy to imagine the storm brewing in Purple Cove, feel the late afternoon sun in The Mill or smell the warm salty Maritime breeze in Rustico.
Her graphic realism style continues to evolve and expand, in her painting Dover, while softer in colour then some of her earlier works, it is no less impactful in the degree of realism and details that she employs. Her ability to evoke mood through lighting is probably one of her biggest strengths, along with the candid snapshot quality of her subject matter that makes you want to turn your head to see what is just off the bow of the boat.
The other side of Jane’s talent lies in her abstract guitar paintings. There is a uniqueness to the style that is hard to define, but it’s almost visual art you can hear. With techniques ranging from muted colours and just a ghosting of a guitar, to bold brush strokes, paint splatters and vibrant palettes, each painting allows you to feel the music associated with it. You can hear Willie Nelson’s country strumming on Trigger or a ripping guitar chord on Eddie Van Halen’s Frankenstrat. If seeing and hearing wasn’t enough, the layered texture and heavy paint layers add a 3-dimensional quality you want to touch. These aren’t just paintings, they are musical, visual sculptures that transfix the viewer and immerse you in the music.
