Claudia Hammer will be presenting her retrospective art show in the Patio Gallery at the Jewish Community Center of Louisville, located at 3600 Dutchmans Lane. Her work is comprised of graphite, charcoal, pastel and oil paintings that communicate a visual truth to the viewer. The exhibit will be on display from August 1, 2010 through September 7, 2010.

Hammer started drawing at the young age of 16, falling in love with creating images, especially people. Her career began in advertising, where she honed her drawing and design skills while working at Stewarts Department Store, Stewart & Winner and Price Weber. She continued with a job at Byck’s, where she drew fashion illustrations, followed by a position as an agency art director in Chicago. Hammer is an independent artist now, and teaches figure drawing, portraiture and oil painting.

“To me, painting and drawing is about observation. The more I understand what I see, the closer I can come to capturing it. I’m all about humor, fun, optimism and light. Painting is an opportunity to bring out my sense of play. I try to reveal something of myself in each one of them,” states Hammer.

In May 2009, Hammer started the regime and discipline of doing Daily Paintings. While it has not been easy working it around her teaching schedule and commissions, she says that it has been fun, and challenging, at the same time.

“I have gotten such a following, and their support has been what carries me on that wave of incentive that keeps me painting every day,” says Hammer.

The opening reception for Claudia Hammer is open to the public and will be held on Sunday, August 1, 2010 from 2 p.m.-4 p.m. Pricing information is available for existing works.

For more information about the Patio Gallery at the JCC or Claudia Hammer’s exhibit, please contact (502) 459-0660 or visit JCC’s website at www.jccoflouisville.org. You can also view Hammer’s work at http://claudiahammer.com.