“1951 CHEVY COUPE”: This watercolor by Richard Harrington is featured in “Looking Forward,” his dual exhibit with Alla Podolsky, on view February 4 through February 28 at the Artists’ Gallery in Lambertville.

Artists Richard Harrington and Alla Podolsky have announced the opening of their joint show, “Looking Forward,” on Thursday, February 4, at the Artists’ Gallery, 18 Bridge Street, Lambertville. The exhibit, which runs through February 28, features watercolor, acrylic, gouache, and oil paintings by the two artists. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, there will be no opening reception for this exhibition.

‘“Looking Forward” refers to the sense of optimism that the new year and approaching season of spring provides for us,” said Harrington.

A native of Kiev, Ukraine, Podolsky creates work that can seem dreamlike. “If I were to distill what I do as an artist, I would say I paint experiences. We have collectively gone through a lot this past year, and I feel the need to impart past experiences of shared warmth, of joyful moments that ground us in difficult times. I like to think of my work as hopeful. Bright settings, vibrant colors, warm undertones. It’s my way of trying to lift some of the burden for my audience.”

Podolsky traces her love of psychological and narrative painting to the Byzantine-style iconography that is so prominent in that city.

Harrington, from Newtown, Pa., finds inspiration for his work in the mid-20^th century finned and chromed creations from American automakers.

“I have always been fascinated by vehicles,” he said. “I enjoy taking back roads and side streets, hoping to find cars, trucks, and different vehicles that have been left idle and shows the effect of the elements and time upon them. These are the starting points for my paintings. The works I created for this show represent the change of seasons, something I am always looking forward to. Each one brings it’s own unique color and light, and inspires me to create new work.”

“YELLOW BALLOON”: This painting by Alla Podolsky is part of “Looking Forward,” her dual exhibit with Richard Harrington, on view February 4 through February 28 at the Artists’ Gallery in Lambertville.

Podolsky and Harrington have both been longtime members of the Artists’ Gallery in Lambertville, and they have had a lot of opportunities to see each other’s work hanging side by side.

“This joint show was originally scheduled for June of 2020,” said Harrington. “However, due to the pandemic, the Artists’ Gallery was closed during that time. Alla and I have been looking forward to when we could exhibit our work in the gallery. I think everyone has been looking forward to 2021, and February has me looking forward to warmer weather and longer days.”

Podolsky received formal art training as a child in the Ukraine and continued her art education in the United States at Moore College of Art and Design. She graduated in 1995 with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts. She received a master’s degree in painting from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in 1999.

Harrington has worked as an illustrator for over 40 years and is a professor at Moore College of Art and Design in Philadelphia. 

The Artists’ Gallery is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. Visit lambertvillearts.com for more information.