November, 2012
Haynes Galleries presents “Five Figurative Artists”,
November 9 to December 4, 2012
Reception: Friday, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. November 9, 2012
NASHVILLE — Haynes Galleries is pleased to present Five Figurative Artists, featuring the work of Jesús Emmanuel Villarreal, Lea Colie Wight, Ellen Cooper, Renée Foulks and Ryan S. Brown. The exhibit will run Nov. 9-Dec. 4 at Haynes Galleries, on the historic Music Row Roundabout. An opening reception will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 9. The event is free and open to the public.
Though the show hasn’t yet opened, it’s already making a splash in the contemporary art press. In the November issue of American Art Collector, John O’Hern praises Five Figurative Artists: “The standards of rigorous training in technique and observation are returning to the world of contemporary art through realist painting of the caliber that Haynes has selected for this exhibition.”
Though all five artists share a love for the figure, each brings a unique perspective to the genre. Gallery owner Gary R. Haynes, who is committed to representing the freshest, brightest talent in contemporary American Realism, ranks these painters among the finest in the country.
“These artists are dedicated to the revival of realist art in America,” Haynes says. “They are award-winning artists who are committed to teaching their philosophy and craft to a new generation of contemporary realists. And they are producing some of the most exciting work being done anywhere.”
In 2011, Villarreal’s self-portrait Mirror was selected from more than 1,400 submissions to receive the William F. Draper Grand Prize in the American Portrait Society’s International Portrait Competition. Though Mirror is not on view in this show, his other figurative work more than makes up for it.Villarreal paints slowly, thoughtfully, taking time to unveil the mystery — to reflect the truth — of his subjects. One painting, a dark-haired woman lying on the floor, robe open, is a study in light and angle — but also of calm confidence. Another, a portrait of a blonde on a fainting couch, is luminous, haunting and utterly arresting.Villarreal’s technique — in his portraits, a deeply nuanced chiaroscuro; in his still lifes, a lumninosity that makes them glow from within — is reminiscent of the Dutch Masters, yet at the same time, his work feels completely fresh.
Ellen Cooper has an international reputation for her masterful draftsmanship and ability to capture the character of her subjects. Her portraits, most notably Judy and Defiance of Erebus, reflect the personality and grit — the living truth — of her strong female subjects. Cooper was formally trained at Tyler School of Art and Temple University, and later studied under contemporary masters Burton Silverman and Daniel Greene. Her work has received national and international acclaim, including a second-place finish and People’s Choice Award in the 2011 Portrait Society of America International Portrait Competition. Her award-winning painting Marmee’s Garden In the Snow was featured on the cover of Artist’s Magazine in 2011.
Lea Colie Wight paints extraordinary portraits of ordinary — often unexpected — subjects. In such paintings as Duet and Five Minute Break, Wight transforms everyday scenes into something almost sacred — the corner of a room becomes a sanctuary; a chair becomes a dreamworld. Wight’s work has been featured in such publications as International Artist Magazine and American Art Collector. It also impressed her instructors at the Studio Incamminati School for Contemporary Realist Art — after studying there, she was invited to join the staff. She also has written and illustrated Classical Life Drawing Studio, Lessons and Teaching in the Art of Figure Drawing, an art instruction book published by The Art Student’s League of New York.
Renée Foulks’ work is sublimely rendered — skin so soft it begs to be touched; light so ethereal it seems otherworldly. Her paintings — some in vibrant color, others in greyscale — show a complete mastery of the craft. It’s no surprise that she’s received five prestigious Mellon Foundation grants since the 1980s. Foulks trained at the Moore College of Art and Tyler School of Art at Temple University, and now teaches at the Philadelphia Academy of the Fine Arts and University die Arts.
Renee Foulks’ work is sublimely rendered — skin so soft it begs to be touched; light so ethereal it seems otherworldly. Her paintings — some in vibrant color, others in greyscale — show a complete mastery of the craft. It’s no surprise that she’s received five prestigious Mellon Foundation grants since the 1980s.
Ryan S. Brown’s process is almost as arresting as his portraits. He thinks deeply about his subjects and their surroundings — nothing is unintentional. This exacting attention to detail, coupled with a razor-sharp technique, give his figurative work a gravitas that evokes the masters of centuries ago. Brown, a graduate of Brigham Young University, studied at the Florence Academy of Art in Italy. He has won numerous awards, scholarships and fellowships, including Best Painting of the Year at the Florence Academy of Art. He has since returned to his native Utah, where he has established the Center for Academic Study and Naturalist Painting, a school firmly rooted in the classical and naturalist ideals of the 19th century.
Ryan Brown’s process is almost as arresting as his portraits. He thinks deeply about his subjects and their surroundings — nothing is unintentional. This exacting attention to detail, coupled with a razor-sharp technique, give his figurative work a gravitas that evokes the masters of centuries ago.
This exhibition is a rare opportunity for viewers to take in work by some of today’s most exciting figurative artists. Quite simply, it elevates the genre — through technical mastery, thoughtful painting and sheer creativity.