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June Issue 2005
Blowing Rock Frameworks & Gallery in Blowing Rock, NC, Features Works by Paul deMarrais
Blowing Rock Frameworks and Gallery in Blowing Rock, NC, will present an exhibition of pastel paintings by Paul deMarrais, on view from June 13 through July 2, 2005.
It was once stated that every painting is essentially a portrait of the artist. deMarrais is a quiet person who likes nothing better than to roam through a big field enjoying the beauty of the countryside. His paintings are quiet and intimate and celebrate the subtle rhythm of natures cycles throughout the year. Bright yellow green willows of spring give way to round hay bales drying in the scorching sun. The brilliant colors of autumn fade to the grays and lavenders of winter. It is the gentle drama and poetry of nature that inspires deMarrais and that brought him initially to Blowing Rock and a meeting with Tim Miller, owner of the Blowing Rock Frameworks and Gallery.
deMarrais is obsessed with pastels. Since discovering
the medium in art school thirty years ago he has resisted the
lure of other painting media to dig deeper into the art of pastel
painting. Pastels are made by mixing permanent artist pigments
with water and a speck of binder so that they may form a stick.
When dry they are ready to use and possess the purest color of
any art medium. Vivid colors of every shade of the rainbow give
the pastel artist a dazzling palette to choose from.
Pastel painting has a long history dating back to the 1600's when
portrait artists used it to paint the royalty of the day. As oil
painting became more popular interest in pastels waned until the
arrival of Impressionism. Artists took to the outdoors to paint
the landscape "en plein air" and sought to imitate the
bright effect of sunlight in their paintings. Carefully detailed
studio work gave way to swift spontaneous expression and bold
glittering color. Pastel was a natural for this landscape painting
revolution. The tradition remains vital today and deMarrais is
happy to continue to explore Impressionism in the rural landscape
around his Kingsport, TN, home.
deMarrais' pastel paintings are deceptively
simple. Old weathered barns, country roads, fields of mustard
and fall wildflowers are suggested with free flowing strokes of
broken color. He particularly likes the round bales of hay that
dot the rural landscape. The bales seem to suggest the absent
human presence in many of his paintings. The artist is himself
an avid naturalist and his scientific bent is evident in his attention
to detail. The distant landscape fades to bluer tones showing
aerial perspective and objects recede in correct proportion. Beneath
deMarrais' loose technique there is a strong foundation of drawing
and composition. The paintings seem upbeat and positive. You can
sense his love of pastel color with its shimmering layers and
textures.
For more info check our NC Commercial Gallery listings, call
the gallery at 828-295-0041, or at (www.brframegallery.com).
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