CONTEMPORARY REALISM
Contemporary Realism is a new Exhibition featuring the work of Tracey Harris, Eric Stevens, Leslie Lienau, and James Smith.
Opens Friday, July 2, 6 P.M. - 10 P.M.
OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma --The July exhibit at JRB Art at The Elms will showcase the work of four artists who specialize in contemporary representational painting. The body of work that Tracey Harris has prepared for this show is primarily figurative, while Eric Stevens has painted a series of landscapes. Leslie Lineau and James Smith will be exhibiting still life paintings. While the subject matter and styles of these artists are different, all the work produced by the four artists closely resembles forms and subjects that can be found in the natural world. In contrast, the sculptural work of Harolyn Long that will be shown in the Ship Gallery is abstract in nature. The exhibit will open with a public reception on July 2, 2010, from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. at JRB Art at The Elms during the monthly Gallery Walk in Oklahoma City's Paseo Arts District. The show will run through July 30, 2010.
JRB Art at The Elms
In The Historic Paseo Arts District
2810 North Walker
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73103
405.528.6336
Gallery Hours: Mon-Sat 10-6, Sun 1-5
THE JOURNEY FOR TCU
My most recent commissioned work is “The Journey”. I was contacted by Texas Christian University via Margery Grella at Artspace111. The folks at TCU were looking for a signature piece for the entryway of their newly-built Honors College.
The piece is 60” x 36”, oil on canvas. Developing the concept and painting the piece was intense. For me, "The Journey" suggests Time, and our passage through it. Our perception of our own future is obscured by our limited perspective, but it is not entirely unknown to us. There are choices we can make with known probable outcomes, and we illuminate more of these as we go. "The Journey" is Life, and the wonders it contains, and remembering to enjoy each moment.
STAINED GLASS WINDOW AT WESTSIDE UU CHURCH
I recently helped design a stained glass window for Westside Unitarian Universalist Church here in Fort Worth. This fantastic project became a reality though the combined Creative efforts of Master glass Artist John Kebrle, Carl Romano, and myself. The window was installed February 26 2010, and is five feet across. There will be a Dedication ceremony later this month, please contact Westside UU for more details.
DEVELOPING THE DESIGN
The Unitarian Universalists are a great bunch: They are kind of secular and philosophic with a focus on altruism, and are influenced by a lot of very different spiritual traditions. However, there's not a ton of symbolism and imagery that is uniquely "UU" with which to play. I had recently started a painting that prominently featured a singular tree, and designed a big Tree tattoo for a friend of mine, so the Axis Mundi, Tree of Life, and Yggdrasil concepts were fresh and prominent in my mind. The symbol of the Tree is nearly universal, and appears in all the major religions of the world. It can represent nature, reality and rationality. It can represent the World itself, while simultaneously aspiring skyward, and suggesting the connection to the spiritual. And of course it can symbolize Life. The ring/circle in the middle is something I came up with, meant to suggest inclusion and community, and also the cycles of sustainability. The Flaming Chalice in the foreground is the traditional UU symbol; Its inclusion identifies this Church, and embodies its traditions.
John Kebrle's aesthetic and visual style is amazing; strong forms, primary colors, yet fluid, and full of poetic subtlety. See more of his beautiful work at JohnKebrleStainedGlass.com.
If you would like to see this window in person, Westside UU Church is at 901 Page Avenue in Fort Worth. More information at WestsideUU.org.
ERIC STEVENS AT WALLY WORKMAN GALLERY IN AUSTIN
I am proud to announce a new Gallery relationship: I am now represented by Wally Workman Gallery in Austin.
Established in 1980 and located in a 100 year old historic house in Austin’s art district, the Wally Workman Gallery has two stories of exhibition space where one can view the works of the rich and varied selection of artists currently represented. The Art here covers the spectrum; Conceptual, Contemporary, Modern, and Traditional, in forms ranging from sculpture to painting. The works shown are very diverse, yet their caliber and level of execution are impressive, and consistent.
This new partnership is in addition to my continuing representation with Artspace111 in Fort Worth, and Dean Day Gallery in Houston.
Wally Workman Gallery
1202 West 6th Street
Austin, Texas 78703
512 472 7428
ERIC STEVENS CALLED “ARTIST TO WATCH” IN AMERICAN ART COLLECTOR MAGAZINE
From American Art Collector, September 2009:
“The overall strength of the art market seems to be sustaining itself. Regardless of the current economic situation, art is still selling. Our clientele includes private collectors and corporations.
Most of the artists we represent work with oil on canvas. Our landscape paintings seem to be in high demand. We have a couple of artists that do portraits and those seem to be popular commission pieces as well.
Landscape painter Dennis Blagg's pencil drawings of his larger pieces sell well. Nancy Lamb's aerial portraits of people in action have also proven popular. Painter Eric K. Stevens and sculptor J.C. Pace III are both artists to watch.
—Margery Grella, Director, Artspace111.