by Bryce Ulmer
With summer in full swing, 716: Fine Art presents “Maureen Fritchen: Environments” in downtown Racine, Wis.
Fritchen, a Racine resident for twenty years, works in a mixed media of natural elements and paint to capture the “cellular level ele-vated to environments” in her new works. “Forms are recognizably organic, floating, as if blown by wind…pulsating and peculating,” Fritchen stated. The natural elements are contrasted with linear lines and geometric forms to “define order, balance and interconnect-edness.”
The somber and warm tones of Fritchen’s works, at first reminiscent of Rothko’s grand canvases, appear minimalistic. However, Fritchen rewards patient observers with increased complexities on and below the work’s surface. Beginning with a chaotic and sponta-neous layer of decomposing leaves, dust, hair, Fritchen buries the piece’s history with layers of paint. 
Whereas the underpaintings are freeform and expressive, the final works are “resolved” and “controlled” paintings in which the surface is manipulated and sanded to reveal their stories. The effect is truly impressive.
This will be Fritchen’s second solo show at 716: Fine Art, having previously shown at the gallery’s former Kensoha location.
“Maureen Fritchen” runs from June 27 through July 20. The opening reception is Friday, June 27 from 6-9 p.m.
