#2007-12: August 3, 2007 "Farming Culture" Exhibition at the Erpf Gallery The Catskill Center Erpf Gallery presents "Farming Culture", an exhibition of paintings by Stu Eichel and Laura Hussey. The opening reception is Saturday, August 11 from 5-7pm at the Erpf Gallery, Route 28 in Arkville. Stu Eichel lives in Saratoga Springs and loves doing plein air paintings. During the summer and fall you can see him on a corner painting a local scene. Stu Eichel will be presenting more than ten oil paintings of abandoned farm vehicles, tractors and trucks against backgrounds of barns and farm fields. He says, "Tractors and trucks in gorgeous, rural landscapes, fighting for survival, are to me like surly curmudgeons that refuse to give up. I record their scars, postures and attitudes in portraits that I hope give them a degree of immortality." He graduated from Pratt Institute with a graphic arts degree and after a career in advertising he entered the University of Tennessee to study fine arts. Laura Bredin-Hussey will be showing pastels and oils of farm animals - donkeys, pigs, horses, cows and chickens. Most of the animals Hussey paints are endangered breeds of domesticated animals from the farm she and her family own. Study for Due Date, a Suffolk Punch Draft horse, was painted while spending the night with her pregnant mare as she waited for the birth of its foal. But others, such as Three Large Blacks and Barnyard Bully, are done in her studio from farm sketches. She does not limit herself to animals she owns. Sister Jerseys is a product of a trip to the Delaware County Fair. Her oils are in many private collections. In total, more than 20 pieces of art will be on exhibit at the Erpf Gallery through September 30th. The public is invited free of charge. The gallery is open Monday - Friday, 9-5, and Saturdays from 12-4.