Check out Galen V Snow’s Artwork

Today we’d like to introduce you to Galen V Snow.

Galen V, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I’ve always been an artist on the inside. My professional life was 45 years in the event/restaurant/catering/retail business; basically, the service industry, which was a good living and means to an end.

When I was 52, I decided that I wanted to turn my life in a different direction. I’d been painting murals, wall treatments and decorative furniture on the side and wanted to gain new skills. Because I was still working full time, I enrolled in the Continuing Ed program at the Rhode Island School of Design. I focused on Painting and Drawing, and after 5 years received my certificate and have never looked back!

We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I am a trained oil painter, but over the past few years, with encouragement from my family and fellow artists, I have again turned direction. I am now, what I refer to as, painting with paper. It is labeled Paper Montage these days, but was called collage when I was a child. Each of my pieces are composed of torn & cut shards of paper, glued into shape, color and texture to create a moment I have seen or lived in nature. I am constantly challenged by this medium. Each piece takes at least 50 hours; the larger ones can take months! I have each work professionally digitally scanned with state-of-the-art equipment so that I can make a wide range of limited edition prints, greeting cards, calendars and coaster-tiles available for purchase. I love creating commissions, as well.

I ask my viewer to ‘look deeper and find a meaning that uplifts the spirit and engages the mind’. I hope people avail themselves the time to examine the details in each piece; oftentimes there are messages embedded w/in the work. Each piece comes from the heart and her works have been described by her community of artists in the following way: “Galen’s montages are complex, textural and luminous while they dance with surprising details”. An artist of nature for over 35 years, her work is found in a number of collections across the country.

Have things improved for artists? What should cities do to empower artists?
Conditions for artists today really depend on how much one wants to be successful in their craft. Joining organizations, such as SCA, that support the artist/maker without ego and/or judgment is a good way to self-promote with support from likeminded individuals. It is not easy. It takes confidence (often bolstered from fellow artists), tenacity and a positive attitude to keep moving forward. A community support system is a blessing!

Cities can keep artists thriving by designing Town-Local programs (or community/neighborhood specific locals) such as SCA’s Open Studio Tour that is affordable AND manageable for most, especially if they are still working for a living! Most importantly, it is the responsibility of the local, established artist groups to encourage the younger, emerging artists in their neighborhoods! SCA offers micro-grants to a younger age group from each town through an unintimidating application process available on our website. This is the key to keep artists growing and working toward their specific goals. Unsupported or ignored up & coming makers will just not thrive as well as nurtured individuals. Period.

Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
For the past 7 years, I have been a member of Southcoast Artists (SCA–www.southcoastartists.org) which has been a fantastic journey for me and my dream of becoming self-sustaining with art. I am also on the Board of Directors and am part of a group of diverse artists who are supportive and encouraging to help our membership keep moving forward with their art.

This has led me to create a website: www.gvsart.com where one can purchase prints, cards and find all my contact information. It also enables me to participate in the SCA Open Studio Tours 21-22 July; 18-19 August 2018 where 75 artists across 4 towns (Little Compton, Tiverton, Westport & Dartmouth) open our studios to the general public for free viewing & demonstrations of the what, how’s & whys of our individual craft; as well as purchasing original art from us personally–a truly unique opportunity!

I am also a cooperative member of 6 1/2 Bridge Street Gallery in Padanaram Village, So. Dartmouth, MA where I have original works, along with prints, greeting cards and tumbled marble coasters for purchase. I am in my studio daily and love visitors if you call or email ahead! I am located @ 220 W. Main Road in Little Compton, RI, 02837. Email: galenartist1@gmail.com; landline (!) 401-635-4801–leave a message and I will get right back to you!

Contact Info:

• Address: 220 W. Main Road, Little Compton, RI 02837
• Website: www.gvsart.com
• Phone: 401-635-4801 (landline!)
• Email: galenartist1@gmail.com
• Instagram: galensnow
• Facebook: Galen V Snow, Fine Art

Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.