Cynthia Maurice’s grandfather.

By Sanjeev Selvarajah

Brickbottom Artists Association’s current show, entitled Familiar Faces: Family and Self Portraits, is described as “an invitation to artists and viewers to take a look at what we think we already know very well, our family and ourselves.”

Something blue is not a requisite for the bride in Sherry Autor’s portrait. Although she wears white, the decorative aquatic blue plus its darker hue of blue for her eyes bestows her with a touch of exposure to a downpour or seacoast. Is she dry enough for her big day or must she change into something less ostentatious, thereby losing the allusion but securing a partner in place of excess of color?

Most of this series Sherry worked on was possessed by flourishes that touched on everyday family photos – as is the general theme of the exhibit as a whole – individuals and settings the artists are intimately aware of. Like Cynthia Maurice, she worked to capture the enterprising spirit of migration – from the old world to the new – with the ties of the traditional family, ties that constrain as well as enlighten. With these images crystal clear to Sherry, she does not hesitate to add her own touch.

Lois Fiore, the curator, takes on a similar autobiographical backdrop. She grasps the ethereal by the wrist and coaxes it on the journeys of two brothers. Dan, one brother, is seated on a front porch and is involved in serious contemplation. Wesley, the other brother, is looking back at the past, proud of his trials and achievements. Early on, when questioned about what style she would like to paint in Fiore responded to her teacher, “Springsteen! I want to paint the way Springsteen makes music.”

Cynthia Frost has two images of idyllic toddlers. They could be dolls with their rosy cheeks, or a sign of blood battered skin from an afternoon spent pouting or lying on one’s cheek, only to every so often letting go a wrenching cry that brings the red life force to their face. Frost has been painting for over 30 years. She uses a variety of materials. Creating an ambiance for her work paired with the songs of a similarly invested artist, she says, “Often I begin painting a session with music, but when it ends, I usually don’t notice and work in quiet.”

Sandra Allik’s painting of a young boy facing a sea front is clearly telling which he prefers, sand or water. Upon such a dynamic angle that those elbows bend, he could only be meant for the sand. The blue of the sea here is very dreamlike, inspiring neighbors to stroll the ocean coast.

A 'Familiar Faces' painting by Sandra Allik.

Cynthia Maurice’s images are mainly in charcoal, or in the case of the painting of her grandfather, acrylic. The faces of her husband and daughter are photo-realistic. The painting of her grandfather is decidedly more abstract and experimental, although rich in layering that leans towards a three-dimensional quality. A founding member of Brickbottom, Maurice also traveled to Morocco for the Sister City program that Somerville participates in.

Michael Crockett has always known that he wants to be an artist. The particular brand of artistry he works to unleash is the multi-media technique. The majority of his work offered for this exhibit is a portrait study of a young man, shirtless, roaming the clear white space of canvas. The hair is bold, the outline is bold, and the statement is daring. Would you accept this ruffian into your home sans shirt? Even if you do not, Crockett is witness to his dashing good looks and his adamant refusal to shave.

Familiar Facesruns through March 3 at Brickbottom Gallery, 1 Fitchburg Street, Somerville. Gallery hours are Thursday – Saturday, noon-5 p.m. For more information call 617-776-3410 or visit them online at  http://www.brickbottom.com/