Fine Balance Imaging shows gratitude to artists

Heaps of gratitude is a good thing.

Heaps of gratitude is a good thing.

Especially when its by-product is lots of art for public viewing.

Fine Balance Imaging Studios has hung its annual “Gratitude Art Show” in the hub at the Bayview Cash Store.

More than 30 local artists and photographers are exhibiting their diverse styles and mediums in this unique show through

Feb. 26. The show will extend to the Open Door Community Gallery on Feb. 13.

The studios’ owners, Joe Menth and Nancy McFarland, offer this no-commission gallery opportunity to their clients each year as a show of thanks for their support. One hundred percent of sales from the show go directly to the artists.

“We have the good fortune to be exposed to and immersed in awesome art, and we are grateful for the strong connections and friendships we have developed with the artists,” Menth said.

“While our work fills a need for the artists, it also fulfills our desire to be around art, and doing something rewarding that comes from the heart.”

All the pieces in the “Gratitude Show” are giclée fine-art reproductions, considered by many high-end galleries and museums to be of the same visual quality as the original piece of art.

Giclée (pronounced jee-clay) is a fine-art print produced on real watercolor paper or canvas, using pigmented inks. These archival prints will resist fading for more than 80 years, decades longer than the offset lithograph process.

“Some artists are able to try techniques using our printing processes that they could not do before,” McFarland said.

“We especially enjoy it when the resulting art print is such an accurate reproduction of the original that even the artist can’t tell the difference between the two.”

The featured island artists represent all skill levels and mediums including acrylics, watercolors, photographs, oil paintings and etchings.

The “Gratitude Art Show” doesn’t discriminate. Some of the artists are internationally known, while others are just beginning their careers in art.

“It’s great to be inspired by all the different art styles, genres and media types,” Menth added.

“With so few places to exhibit art, we are glad to provide an opportunity for these artists to hang their work in a fun environment.”

The “Gratitude Art Show” runs through Feb. 26 in the Hub, as well as Feb. 13 to Feb. 22 in the Open Door Community Gallery at the Bayview Cash Store.

An artists’ reception is from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14. in the gallery. Call 221-2707 for information or e-mail info@fbistudios.com.