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Having
recently spent some time reflecting on the
things that make creating art important in my
life for an upcoming magazine article, I
decided to write it down as a sort of
self-discussed conversation. I hope you find
it interesting.
A conversation
with the artist
Christian Corey
Bucks County Plein Air
Impressionist
Birthplace
1963-Biloxi, Mississippi
Current Home
1993- Bucks County, Pennsylvania
Description of Work
My intention while creating a painting on
location is to invoke the same feeling of
place and emotion I'm experiencing in the
viewer. My goals are to include only what's
needed to get this feeling across, that should
the viewer know a particular location, will
recognize it without creating a verbatim copy
of the scene and to be satisfied with the
effort put forth in it's creation.
Method of work
I look for unique light and shadow patterns
that emphasize the mood I'm trying to express.
After taking digital reference photos for
future use, I set up. Working either on
stretched Belgium linen or traditionally
gessoed panels, both of which I prepare
myself, I make a very loose sketch of the
scene either with thinned paint directly onto
the white ground or in pencil, as the scene
calls for. I establish the shadow pattern
early so that changes in atmosphere do not
cause any problems. I then mix and dab on a
spot of paint that represents as accurately as
possible the color, tone and value of the
various "shapes" on the canvas i.e.; the sky
shape, shadow shape, etc. looking at the scene
in a very simplistic way. When I'm satisfied
that these "dabs" harmonize as intended, I
then build variety within each of these shapes
to the desired level of finish. I have the
flexibility to stop anywhere along the way and
not have any one section "over done". Most
pieces are completed in one go or alla-prima.
Favorite Subject Matter
I've always loved aging architecture,
vehicles and structures, especially barns and
farm outbuildings. The more decrepit the
better! Finding beauty in what others might
think of as unsightly has been considered the
job of an artist for ages. I think there is a
feeling of heritage and so pride in something
that was built for a purpose, did it's job
with beauty and grace, and is trying to hold
it's own against the ravages of time, like
most of us do. It's unfortunate that many of
these farms eventually fall prey to the
developers backhoe in the name of progress. I
also enjoy painting windows for the amazing
combination of ways you can work the
reflections, glare and view through. There's a
certain child-like or dare I say voyeuristic
curiosity one may feel when looking at one of
my window scenes, like trying to get a glimpse
into someone else's life.
First artistic inspiration
To my way of thinking, painting en plein
aire is the epitome of what an artist should
be. I'm sure this viewpoint stems from my
childhood memories of watching my great uncle,
New England plein air artist Bernard Corey, at
work during family get-togethers. All of the
kids would follow him out into the woods from
my aunts house on Thanksgiving day and
probably bother him until we got cold or
hungry. I hope to be my future grandchildren's
inspiration one day.
Influences
Obviously, my uncle and immediate family,
which is full of artists, musicians and
craftsmen, have always inspired and challenged
me to take my work and life to the next level
in everything I tried. As I am self-taught and
an A-type personality, I took Henri's "...all
education is self education" as my personal
mission. I probably took every book about
every artist, technique and style out of our
significantly large local library. When I felt
my draftsmanship was not up to par, I stopped
painting and spent a year just drawing.
Numerous trips to the Museums in and around
Philadelphia helped me develop a sense of
understanding for art other than the
representational work which I gravitate
towards. I have a personal affinity to the artists
of the New Hope and Cape Ann Schools.
Biggest Break
While having some work framed, I found out
that the owner of the frame shop was opening
an fine art gallery soon. We made arrangements
to be the first artist she represented at the
new gallery. These leads to my first one man
show, with sales going to some serious
collectors in the area.
Academia & promotion
I am a member of The Philadelphia Sketch
Club, Allied Artists of America (assoc.), Oil
Painters of America (Juried Associate),
charter member International Plein air
Painters and member of the Mid-Atlantic Plein
Air Painters.
I have been in The Phillips Mills Annual
show three times and won the Jane Given Award.
Other awards and shows of note include Bianco
Gallery (award and Invitational exhibition),
Louisa Melrose Gallery Tri-State Shows (3
times, 2 honorable mentions), and acceptance
into a National Show for Marine Paintings in
Stamford, Conn.
I have had 2 one-man shows, have been
featured artist twice at new Gallery openings,
and have been included in a number of
invitational shows.
This Fall, I have a one-man Show in October
at The Art Coop in Doylestown and a 2 man show
in November at Radclyffe Gallery in Lahaska.
I'm also teaching 2 workshops this fall.
Lastly, I will be featured in Bucks County
Town & Country in the "Gallery" column in the
upcoming fall issue.
Price Range of Work
$600.00 - $5000.00
Gallery Representation
Radclyffe Gallery, New Hope PA
Michelynn Galleries, New Britain PA
The Art Coop ll, Doylestown PA
Louisa Melrose Gallery, Frenchtown NJ
Christian Corey
109 Green Street, P.O.Box 635
Silverdale, PA 18962
Email:
pleinairartist@hotmail.com
Website: www.christiancorey.com
Phone: 215-453-6674
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