The New York Times                                   

ART REVIEW; Watercolor and Photography, Meshing in a Single Genre

By FRED B. ADELSON   APRIL 4, 1999

LYNN MOWRER of Magnolia and Mike Sproch of Collingswood may initially seem to be artistic worlds apart. Although Ms. Mowrer is a watercolor painter who uses accents of rich color and Mr. Sproch is a photographer who produces black-and-white gelatin-silver prints, they nicely complement each other as they exhibit together at the Markeim Art Center. Because this show is presented as separate exhibitions with works by each artist displayed in adjoining spaces, the connection may seem less obvious. However, both artists deal primarily with still-life subject matter.

Each watercolor by Ms. Mowrer is a convincing illusion of reality. Her strongest works are images of ripe fruit, fresh-cut flowers and sundry household objects gathered from around her home-based studio. In addition to these 13 still-life paintings, she is showing three family scenes based on photographs; the accessories are what really capture the attention. In the large portrait ”Eddy and Rita With Kevin,” her mother’s suit is exquisitely painted in pink washes.

With the horizontal arrangement of domestic objects, Ms. Mowrer creates a well-balanced order. Vibrantly colored hydrangeas, peonies and poppies, along with cobalt blue glassware, seem to jump off the lightly washed tabletops. Her still lifes suggest relatively shallow space within arm’s reach of the viewer. The illusion of three-dimensionality is strongly enhanced by a carefully foreshortenedobject like the cantaloupe wedge in ”Hydrangea on Turquoise II” or the clothespin in ”Green Scoop,” a subtle image of whites on white.

Ms. Mowrer, who studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, demonstrates her familiarity with the Philadelphia school of still life. In ”Listening to Story,” the curled apple peel and the perforated ceramic basket immediately bring to mind paintings by the Peale family. She also directly acknowledges the Old Masters with her reproduction of a Joshua Reynolds print of a young boy (supposedly painted while listening to a story) that serves as a backdrop for the fruit.

Markeim Art Center, Lincoln Avenue and Walnut Street, Haddonfield

Through April 14. Hours: Mondays through Fridays, 12:30 to 4:30 P.M.

(609) 429-8585