Art Review: 'National Treasures' 

by Mark Jenkins

December 29, 2023 - A landscape painter, Leanne Fink often portrays places near her Northern Virginia home. But the pictures of sites along the Potomac River share the Athenaeum's walls with views of more epic scenery from parks in the Western United States. While these are certainly "National Treasures," the show's title, more delicate Fink subjects such as cherry blossom trees near the Tidal Basin also qualify. 

Fink's paintings are less classical in style than Keiffer's (previous review), but they follow similar gambits. The majority of these pictures feature water, and its flow often provides a focal point. Rivers and streams curve through the predominantly horizontal panoramas, although Fink switches to vertical formats for waterfalls, geysers and canyons. 

Such upward-thrusting landmarks as Bryce Canyon are ideal for Fink's style, which closely arrays contrasting hues in the manner of multicolored rock. The artist melds oil pigments with cold wax, a less common technique than using hot wax, to add depth and texture. She also gently outlines some of the forms, giving the paintings a drawing-like quality. This approach gives a sense of intimacy to all the places Fink paints, whether mundane or sweeping.  Link to full article:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/art/2023/12/29/art-gallery-shows-dc-area/