October 2011

M Gallery of Fine Art in Charleston, SC, Offers Works by Bryce Cameron Liston

M Gallery of Fine Art in Charleston, SC, will present the exhibit, Figures of Timeless Beauty, featuring the work of Bryce Cameron Liston, on view from Oct. 7 - 31, 2011. A reception will be held on Oct. 7, from 5-8pm.

The show will include at least ten of Liston’s paintings and possibly some drawings. All of the paintings will depict the female form and will include both interior and exterior scenes.

The pieces that will comprise the show are intended to impart timelessness and continuity - impressions that the artist hopes will stay with the viewer long after they review his work. “I hate the thought of my artwork being or becoming outdated,” Liston explains, “I want the viewer to be able to say that painting is of someone right here, right now, or maybe of someone fifty years ago. Sure, clothing and hairstyle change, but other aspects of life, imagery, emotions, etc., do not and have not for hundreds of thousands of years.”

Liston believes that a good figurative painting has to contain four basic components including: correct anatomy; good composition; strong artistic elements such as shape, value, and edge; and finally, emotion or atmosphere. “I’ve spent my entire career as a painter trying to master these essentials and I think this collection of work embodies these concepts,” he says.

Liston has three favorite pieces that will appear in the exhibition: Red, Blue, and Yellow. Each piece focuses on the balance of color and the effects of light on color, they also balance the literal and conceptual. They were painted in Liston’s studio using three of his best models. If Liston had to choose his favorite piece in the exhibit, he would choose Red.

Although he studied art the University of Utah, Liston considers himself a primarily self-taught artist. If he had to name a mentor, he would choose renowned sculptor Edward Fraughton. “I worked for Ed in his foundry for over 15 years. I learned an invaluable amount from him during that time, particularly about human anatomy and gesture. It’s odd to say I learned how to paint from a sculptor, but to a certain extent it’s true,” he confesses.

As for influences, he names the great American illustrators such as Newell Convers Wyeth and Howard Pyle as his earliest sources of inspiration. Later in life, however, Liston gravitated towards the likes of John William Waterhouse and John Singer Sargent.

The human form heavily inspires Liston. “People are beautiful, mysterious, ever- changing and completely individual. I never, ever tire of drawing, painting and sculpting the human figure and I very strongly believe I never will. I think Michelangelo said it best: “And who is so barbarous as not to understand that the foot of a man is nobler than his shoe.”

For further information check our SC Commercial Gallery listings, call the gallery at 843/727-4500 or e-mail Carlen Quinn at (cquinn@mgalleryoffineart.com).

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