December Featured Artist – Stan Sperlak

 

 

 

 

 

Marshes and beaches along the Atlantic coast consistently appear in Stan’s pastels. In this show he uses both brilliant and tonal saturated color for both plein air and studio paintings. Stan captures the pureness of nature’s color values by layering intensely pigmented pastels. He achieves texture from both the paper he selects and the way he uses the pastels. You see movement of the wind in short energetic strokes. Tranquility of the ocean you see in long horizontal bands of color. The atmospheric relationship between land or sea and sky is predominant in all of Stan’s work. Undoubtedly, Stan’s pastels clearly represent his emotional connection to the beauty of this region. Everyday Stan lives his love of the outdoors through his painting, a busy landscape business in Cape May Court House, NJ and life on Crow Creek Farm. As a master teacher, Stan shares his artistic vision and skills in workshops all over the world.

 

December Featured Wines – 2016 Sartarelli Verdicchio Classico dei Castelli di Jesi, Marche, Italy & 2016 Valle Reale Montepulciano D’Abbruzzo, Abbruzzo, Italy

2016 Sartarelli Verdicchio Classico dei Castelli di Jesi, Marche, Italy $15

This Verdicchio is light sunshine in a glass. It is a succulent wine with beautifully balance minerality and notes of citrus and mint. As typical with Verdicchio grapes there is a satisfying bitter almond finish. This wine is a perfect pairing for antipasti and creamy seafood pasta. Alcohol: 13%

 

2016 Valle Reale Montepulciano D’Abbruzzo, Abbruzzo, Italy  $14

This Montepulciano wine is bright ruby-red in color. This youthful red offers explosive aromas of blueberries, cherries, licorice, and sweet spices. On the palate, it is medium-bodied with plentiful acidity and a pleasant finish. This wine can be served before a meal, but it pairs well with meatballs, tomato sauces, eggplant parmigiana, and mushroom risotto. Alcohol: 13%