Landcapes Art Exhibition

Short Biography and Statement

jamesrreynolds.net

At the easel I often think in musical terms. I set up a rhythm and build color harmonies. I paint a row of trees by carving an intriguing melodic line. I make a conscious effort to tie things together (think: legato for the musicians out there). I want the eye to bounce from place to place, enjoy the repeated motifs, see the interplay of forces, almost hear the reverberations. I seek to resolve all conflicts, to ease all tensions, so the elements within the piece can carry on a balanced and meaningful conversation - a tight jazz ensemble! Some passages are quiet, tender, spacious; others may be loud, crowded, assertive. The goal is to achieve a unity that springs out of all that variation, to have a work of art that feels effortless, inevitable and natural - a Bach partita! Art-making is rooted in my earliest years, when I could happily shut out a chaotic family and while away the hours, focused on drawing things around me: the living room furniture, the goldfish, the cat, the willow tree out back. The precision and clarity of mechanical drawings spoke to me. I colored in endless stacks of coloring books. This is basically what I still do. The art supplies are better now (sorry, Crayola), but subjectively, it’s not so different. Painting is ultimately my way of celebrating personal freedom. I've been painting for over 20 years, but I started as a sculptor in my early 20's. I co-own an art gallery in town and host two studio shows a year. My work has won numerous awards, including four Best of Show awards. I teach pastel at the local art center and have mentored several young artists.