Steve Simonsen "Split-Level Starfish"

StJohnGallery.com and Alexander’s Café Present:
“Heaven and Earth”
Aimee Trayser - paintings
Steve Simonsen - photographs

Opening Reception Friday, October 11 5pm-7pm
On View October 11 through November 7th, 2002

St. John artists Aimee Trayser and Steve Simonsen align their talents to open their show “Heaven and Earth” at Alexander’s Café in Frenchtown, St. Thomas on Friday October 8, from 5pm until 7pm. Everyone is invited to attend the complimentary champagne and appetizer reception.

Aimee Trayser, a collage artist, and Steve Simonsen, a fine art photographer are continually inspired by the natural beauty of their surroundings. This exhibit highlights their abilities to interpret their surroundings and create engaging, unique pieces of art.

Aimee Trayser Fantasy Landscape

Trayser defines her collage pieces as “inspired by nature and the visions or images from my dreams.” She creates “using layer upon layer of exotic and handmade papers, rich with fibers and texture.” The results are heavenly, mystical originals expressing the artist’s spirit of passion and joy during the creative process.

Simonsen’s photographs of life on land and underwater distinguish themselves by their vivid color and strong artistic perspectives. While he exalts Nature’s glorious beauty with seeming simplicity, each image is truly a combination of his vast knowledge of and experience with his medium. “Steve is able to capture those moments that we all experience in real life when something you see in the natural world literally takes your breath away. Each of these images is a celebration of life itself on this Earth.”, states show coordinator Claire Ochoa.

Both St. John artists bring to “Heaven and Earth” years of experience expressing their creative talents. Aimee Trayser is co-owner of Bajo el Sol Gallery (www.bajoelsolgallery.com) in Mongoose Junction with artist Les Anderson. Trayser’s originals are well-collected and featured in many homes in and beyond the Caribbean. Recently, she was one of 21 Virgin Island artists selected for the upcoming November 5th VIA Colectiva Show at the Museo de Las Americas in Puerto Rico.

Steve Simonsen creates for his stock photography business Marine Scenes (www.stevesimonsen.vi) run by his wife Janet Simonsen. Simonsen’s award winning images have appeared in numerous publications from Caribbean Travel and Life (including a recent cover), to Latitudes, Islands, Skin Diver and many other publications. In addition, Steve’s work is featured in the recently published The Lonely Planet Guide to Diving and Snorkeling in Puerto Rico and The Indigo Guide to the US Virgin Islands.

For more information on the exhibit please call Claire Ochoa at 643.6363 or contact by email claire@StJohnGallery.com.