'Looking Up': Scott Hill and Ruth Koh elicit emotional reactions to their landscape paintings

Friday, January 1, 1904

During October, the River Gallery is showcasing landscape paintings by Scott Hill and Ruth Koh in the exhibit "Looking Up." Both artists strive to elicit an emotional response from their viewers.

Hill, a resident of Georgia, creates brooding landscapes that usually incorporate a lone figure. Glazing gives his oil paintings a richness, depth and aged appearance. He also has another body of work that allows him to experiment with watercolor, coffee stains, oil pastels and old postcards.

Regardless of medium, he uses a limited palette and creates simplified compositions.

"I feel that by giving less information, I can sometimes say more," said Hill.

Koh grew up in the rural Appalachian environment of West Virginia where she developed an appreciation for nature.

The change of seasons and weather, fog and mist, clouds morphing as they move across the sky, farmland, panoramic views of rolling hills and the interplay of light on water are the subjects that inspire her oil paintings. She uses a palette knife in order to paint quickly as many of these subjects are fleeting.

"My paintings are an expression of how these scenes influence my mood, give me comfort or grant me a sense of oneness with nature," said the Tennessee artist.

"Looking Up" will continue through Oct. 31. A reception will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, and both artists will be present.

River Gallery, corner of Bluff View and High streets, is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday and by appointment. Call 265-5033 for more information.