"The Visitors"

48" x 60"
acrylic on canvas



My largest to date, The Visitors came about through an image that flashed in my mind, as well as the thirst to dive into a more complex composition and scene. I have been wanting to go "big" for a while, as I was yearning to create a scene where the viewer can feel able to physically step in and be a part of the action. It was an all-consuming process, and I never lost the fever for it all throughout the course of working on it, which can be a rare thing sometimes.

The scene itself serves as an allegory for the struggle to create order out of chaos. As human beings, suppressing various emotions underneath a calm exterior is not uncommon in our day-to-day lives. So many people have connected to this painting in one way or another. I wanted to get a sense of the "heat" - hot summer wind coming through open windows across a drought-ridden field, the heat of the oven, the dizzying swirl of movement and sound, things on the verge of losing control - chaos personified. Yet, the figures appear almost unmoved. Perhaps it's just another day in the kitchen. The interaction between all the elements speaks of what lies beneath the surface. I deliberately composed the perspective and size of each animal and object to serve the purpose of encouraging interaction with the viewer. I want anyone who looks at this picture to feel like they can pull up a chair to sit across from the central figure and be a part of the whole environment.

Thoughts of interest. . .

As I paint I contemplate things a lot, and with that often comes the urge to turn a few pages in a book on an artist I admire; be it the need to find inspiration, encouragement, or to simply remind myself that I am not alone in feeling profound emotions towards similar things.

"I. . . have inherited that strange love for things remote, things delicately perfumed with that sadness that is so exquisitely beautiful. . . I only dare hope that I can commune these feelings to you in my work - sometime."

"I feel so moved sometimes toward nature that I could almost throw myself face down into a ploughed furrow - ploughed furrow understand! I love it so."

-- N.C. Wyeth

Just some random thoughts for today that I felt were worth sharing.

RJD/101 Group Show

I'm excited to be part of a spectacular current group show this month at RJD Fine Arts Gallery, which features other select artists from the gallery and those of Miami-based gallery, 101/exhibit. It's the first joint show between the two galleries and runs from August 7 - August 27, 2010. I was also super-excited to see my work featured on the show posters and promos (see poster above, clockwise from upper left: David Bowers, Phillip Thomas, Jason Alexander, me!). If you haven't already, be sure to check out the show if you are in Sag Harbor!

“RJD Fine Arts Gallery & 101/Exhibit Present Their Gallery Artists" Including: David Bowers, Jason Alexander, Bo Bartlett, Michael Costello, and select RJD Gallery Artists

August 7-27, 2010

http://www.rjdgallery.com/
http://www.101exhibit.com/

Solo Show Opening & Hamptons weekend

Well it has been two weeks since my solo exhibition Andrea Kowch: American Magic Realism, opened at RJD Fine Arts Gallery in Sag Harbor and it still feels like I was only just there yesterday. I know I am a bit overdue on the updates here, but better late than never, and I have already been busy painting again since then, too. More new work coming!



It's hard to find a place to start in describing my short but extremely eventful weekend in the Hamptons. I could not have asked for a more enjoyable, memorable experience, and I thank everyone involved, from my gallery to all the great new people I had the privilege of meeting - and above all, my wonderful collectors. The show looked beautiful, and the VIP treatment I received was, simply put, AWESOME. :) Huge thanks to my gallerist Richard Demato and his wife, artist and internationally-acclaimed textile designer, Harriet Sawyer, who accommodated me at their gorgeous Long Island Sound home and showed me a great time. For a glimpse, check out the February 2010 issue of American Art Collector (#52) to see the feature on their home and art collection. Amazing stuff.

Sag Harbor is everything I expected, charming, friendly, historical, and I was stoked to spend some time exploring it before the show. A museum-goer at heart, the Custom House and Whaling Museum were some of the stops I had to visit, and they did not disappoint.



And did I mention the weather was perfect? I also got to ride in a Ferrari for the first time! It was quite the beautiful, stylish experience (to put it mildly)! Montauk Point and the legendary Lily Pond Lane in East Hampton were on the next day's agenda, courtesy of Richard and Harriet who were kind enough to shuttle me around and show me many worthwhile spots. I was able to catch a passing glimpse of the summer homes of Martha Stewart, Steven Spielberg, etc. as well as Grey Gardens, which I did not see, but I know we passed it somewhere down that road!

In between these jaunts, I also made house calls to a few of my collectors whom I thank for having me stop by. It surely was a weekend to remember, and I wish I could have shared the moments with each and every one of you. I tried to take lots of pictures, but was so involved, I had to often remind myself to do so. Be sure to visit my Flickr page to see it all. I could not have asked for a better way to kick off my first showing there on the east coast, and celebrate all the long days spent in the studio over the last few months. It was amazing.

Visit my Flickr PhotoAlbum to view all pics from the opening!

Last but not least for all you collectors and lovers of antiques out there, Leigh and Leslie Keno of Antiques Roadshow were on my flight to NY! Two nice guys who had no problem lending me a minute for a photo. I love the show, and was SO excited to meet them! This is us at La Guardia!