September 2011

Robert Lange Studios in Charleston, SC, Features Works by JB Boyd

Robert Lange Studios in Charleston, SC, is presenting the exhibit, Solo, featuring a dramatic and engaging series of paintings that depicts the movement and fluidity of water from a low angle perspective by JB Boyd, on view through Sept. 26, 2011. A reception will be held on Sept. 2, from 5-8pm. Additionally, the artist will be painting in the gallery from 5-10pm, Wed. through Sun., through Sept. 18, 2011.

Boyd’s unique and often meticulous painting style captures the smallest details, individual ripples in the ocean, to the grandest gestures, like the smooth gradients of the sky above. The ocean scenes, which place the viewer in the water, create a sense of floating through their deep perspective. These peaceful views relate how simple life can be, but are only simple through their elegant sophistication.

“The instant makes the mosaic of life a reality, and it is the gift of the artist to be able to pick apart, mull it over, slow it down, and refine it into an image.” says Boyd. “Ideally the painting is not simply what it is, but becomes something else. That is the transformative nature of painting at it’s best.”

Boyd starts with a photograph, or more specifically over 3,000 photographs for 15 paintings taken during nearly two dozen individual photo-shoots while swimming in the ocean. He then edits the photos back in his studio, sometimes using several exposures to create a single in-focus image. Using a transfer process, Boyd then sketches the basic shapes of the image onto the panel on which he paints. The first layer of paint blocks in these shapes and establishes bright tones of color, while the second layer tightens the detail and refines the color to a naturalistic light. Finally, the paintings are glazed with transparent layers of color. This method creates depth and light that emanates from within the painting.

“It is my sincere hope that through no lack of effort, will, and technique I can refine these paintings to the point where the image translates both into a reality and an abstraction for you, the viewer,” said Boyd. “And make no mistake, it is your moment, and I hope it is beautiful. Because in the end life is beautiful, and the harder you look the more perfect and complete it may be.”

Boyd’s’ paintings capture the unique quality of Lowcountry light as well as awe-inspiring moments at various times of day. Boyd’s painting style is a contemporary update of the American landscape tradition and continues to exceed the expectations of collectors. The centerpiece of this show is a 47” tall by 22” wide rectangular painting titled, us 19 (last goodbye). The painting is bisected by a single glassy wave that reflects a deep azure blue sky. A dark waterline runs below the wave, and an underwater gradient consumes the bottom third of the painting. In this way, the viewer is allowed to fade off the painting in either direction.

“This new body of work was inspired by living on and in the water,” Boyd says. “It is a continuation of an old theme and favorite subject, but by focusing solely on water and the way it moves, is perceived, and viewed when you are in it (as opposed to it being a part in a landscape), hopefully the paintings will cast back the magic that is light bouncing off a moving reflective surface.”

In us 22 (eternal life), a 2’ tall by 4’ wide oval painting, Boyd’s mastery of perspective is evident. Bubbly ripples in the foreground place the viewer in the image. Horizontal ripples dominate the middle ground and serve as pathways connecting either side of the painting. Above and to the right, a dark wave crests, creating a sharp dividing line of water and sky. That wave drops down and to the left the length of the painting until it crashes into whitewater, softly diffusing into the pre-sunrise sky of purple, reds, oranges, yellows to light blue, bringing the viewer’s eye back to the starting point of the wave.

“Each work demonstrates an act of restraint on the artists’ part, where they must walk away leaving the focal instant of the piece to stand within the impressionistic moment of what is being painted,” says gallery owner Robert Lange.

Boyd currently lives and paints on Goat Island, a barrier island on the outskirts of Charleston, SC. Boyd is a graduate of the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, has shown his work across the United States, and has been collected around the world. Boyd recently received the Michael and Donna Griffith Lowcountry Artist’s Award.

For further information check our SC Commercial Gallery listings, call the gallery at 843/805-8052 or visit (www.robertlangestudios.com).

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