The Nine Muses

oils and monotypes

The nine muses have been a turn-on for artists since they were born centuries ago in Greek and Roman mythology. The concept of muse itself is the subject of the series of paintings and monotypes created for this exhibition. The human form has always been an integral part of my work so it follows that the paintings portraying these goddesses of the arts would be figure studies. The influences converging on my canvases range from Classical sculpture to Renaissance painting to Picasso and Matisse. I find these combinations fascinating, provocative, and often surprising.

In addition to paintings, the exhibition also includes fourteen monotypes ... faces of artists and their muses. These prints were made with this specific gallery in mind so the intimacy of the space suggested smaller works. The monotype process involves painting an image on plexiglas with printmaking inks and transferring that image onto a sheet of paper by cranking it through an etching press. I enjoy the process for its often spontaneous and organic results. For me, it's an ideal way to create a familiar, while not necessarily realistic portrait.

Gary Kelley

"Art cannot exist without naked beauty displayed."
-William Blake

I've always enjoyed drawing and painting the human form. In my career as an illustrator for books and magazines it was imperative that I also be a storyteller. In this exhibition of paintings and monotypes I wanted to create a body of somewhat narrative works unified by a common theme. Venus, the goddess of peace, beauty, love (and lust) seemed the perfect muse. The paintings in particular have been informed not only by the mythological figure but also by my interest in words, music, and travel...from the poetry of Pablo Neruda to the tone poems of Composer Gustav Holst and a visit to the Montreaux Jazz Festival. The images are a mix of experience, memory, and imagination.

Stylistically, I can't ignore the influence of my heros from a century ago. They are post-impressionists like Matisse, Bonnard, and Picasso. I also can't resist the occasional twist; Botticelli's Venus reborn in the trenches of Verdum or Titian's Venus titillating the Duke of Ellington. Or perhaps a bit of provocation for the viewer to imagine his or her own scenario in response to a contemporary Venus enjoying her bath or missing her lover.

And through it all the ghost of Pierre Bonnard is whispering in my ear, "Composition is everything".