In the Fall of 2014, Canadian artist Marie Danielle Leblanc embarked upon world travels which took her on a two month journey to Nepal, followed by a trip to Italy.  By mid-November, Marie was trekking in Annapurna in Nepal and several days later in Thorong La over 17,769 feet above sea level.  Many of the pieces in this new solo exhibit curated by Elisa Contemporary Art at The New York Design Center were inspired by these travels.

For Marie, the beauty of her landscapes comes mostly from a spontaneous gesture and a certain attraction to danger.  She convinces her viewers to see more than what appears in the painting. She transforms places and even the highest mountains in the world, into a space that transport the viewers into timeless and imaginary landscapes.  The exhibit will include her impressions of  Annapurna base camp (the foot of the gigantic Annapurna Mountain encircled by Annapurna 1, Glacier Dome, Gangapurna, Fang and Machhapuchhare and this natural amphitheater adorned by the nature with its beautiful snowy mountains is popularly known as Annapurna Sanctuary), Jhindu Danda (known for its steep hills and close proximity to Hot Springs) and Hinko.  Her paintings also capture the beauty and vividness of the Rhododendron, the national flower of Nepal.

The exhibit also includes works inspired by other world travels including Ausable Chasm in the Adirondacks.

The exhibit will run on the ground floor at The New York Design Center through mid-December.  It can be viewed Monday-Friday 9am to 5pm.