The Collectors - Where Are They Now? #2

The second in this series of blog posts are the paintings: The State of Things and Conquering Psyche, and the drawing studies: Backward Isn't Forward and I Fall In Love Too Easily.  

 To read more about the origins of this series, please go here. 

Collector Christine Cordner

Collector's Statement

I first saw Gregory's work at Artomatic in 2008 and was lucky enough to catch him at a sidewalk sale downtown so I could buy a few of his sketches, followed by two paintings, one shipped cross country I was so enamored. I am a lover of line precision and attention to detail, the architectural attributes of his work that first attracted me. I also enjoy the humor behind his quirky humanoids and his ample use of vibrant color in every-day scenarios. The overall pensive, mellow tone of his beautiful work has a meditative effect on me after a busy work day, which is why my collection hangs together right above my desk at home.

 

Christine Cordner 

 

You can read more of what Christine has had to say about my work on her blog here and here.

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The State of Things was created in 2009 for my solo show, La Vida Intensa, held later that spring at Hillyer Art Space. Like most of my paintings, this one was not inspired by or created with a specific story in mind, but rather was intended to capture a feeling... the feeling of living in that space in time when we just are... the place in between.

On a side note, the run up to the opening of the show was incredibly hectic as my wife and I were also preparing for the arrival of our first son (due the day after the show's opening). It was a time filled with uncertainty, anxiety, and excitement. 

rough sketch

The State of Things

acrylic on canvas, 16"x20"

 

 Conquering Psyche was completed in 2011 and inspired by the commercial blitz of Valentine's Day and a rereading of the Greek myth The Tale of Eros and Psyche.

If you look closely at the movie poster credits, you'll find that many of my family members worked on the fictitious film and I directed it (a nod back to my college film-making days).

rough sketch

Conquering Psyche

acrylic on canvas, 24"x24"

 

 These drawing studies are exactly that; pencil studies of future paintings.

 Backward Isn't Forward

graphite on paper

 I Fall In Love Too Easily

graphite on paper

Prints of The State of Things can be found here.

For prints of Conquering Psyche can be requested here.
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The Collectors - Where Are They Now?  

-POST#1 Andrea Paipa and Ben Feldman

Hillyer Art Space

I have one piece from my ongoing Solitaire series on display and for sale in Hillyer Art Space's Auction and Birthday Bash  in Dupont Circle until June 29th. Here it is, but definitely stop by to see it in person if you are in the area!

Solitaire: Family

acrylic on gesso board

16"x 20"

Hillyer Show Opening and WrapUp

The show is over and now long gone, but I thought that I’d post a few thoughts about the opening and mid-show opening.

Opening Night: After an extremely long and hectic week (the birth of my son) it was great to see friends, family and a ton of people I didn’t know show up to see what I had been working on all of those months. I didn’t have a chance to really talk to anyone (as is always the case at one of these things) but I met a lot of new people interested in my art. It was a great turnout, breaking Hillyer’s attendance record (over 500) and leaving me even more dazed and tired, but happy.

(mid)Opening Night: So the show was up for almost 2 months and mid-way through, Hillyer held a second “opening.” This time the crowd was more manageable and I could actually relax and had the opportunity to have conversations about my work. It’s funny, but after coming up with ideas for paintings, I have a tendency to be more interested in the actual application of paint rather than the subject of the painting. Those conversations with complete strangers sort of bring me back to the larger picture (in terms of what I am hoping to convey with my art) and can be quite inspiring. Also, having my wife and son be able to attend was another bonus!

Wrap-up: I have to say I’m extremely happy with the way the show turned out. The Hillyer staff was wonderfully flexible since I wasn’t too available in the days preceding the show (because of the birth) and installed everything without me. They did a great job of promoting the show and in the end it just about sold out!

Washington Post's Weekend Express

I found out that one of my new paintings, She Loves Me (she loves me not), got printed in the Washington Post's Weekend Express's gallery section yesterday.

There's a pretty nice blurb about my show "La Vida Intensa" at Hillyer Art Space (running through April 24th): "Not Half-hearted - From the vivid colors and exaggerated posturing, the characters and canvasses of Gregory Ferrand tell vibrant and emotional stories from the fully-lived side of life."

I'm not sure if you can still pick up copies, but if not, you can go here and then click to page 21 to see the full page.

WAMU 88.5's Art Beat

I'm happy to say that Hillyer Art Space has done a tremendous job in promoting my solo show "La Vida Intensa."
Last Friday I got a call from someone who heard a little plug for the show on DC's public radio station! If you're interested in reading the transcript or hearing it yourself click here and scroll down to the section titled Art Beat" with Stephanie Kaye - Weekend Events, March 6-8, 2009. (WAMU is my favorite radio station hence the excitement!)

Tired, tired and tired...... but extremely happy!

I am happy to announce that on March 2, 2009 at 9:11 pm, my amazing and beautiful son, Luca Bautista Ferrand was born, weighing in at 6.11 lbs and measuring 20.5 inches long (a string bean for sure)!

He was a week early but kind enough to wait for me to finish the last painting for my show at Hillyer Art Space the morning he was born.

The labor and birth were really incredible to witness and I was left with a deep sense of awe and respect for the strength and self-sacrificing nature my wife possesses, she was incredible that day. Staying calm and focused, she worked hard and was able to deliver a healthy and strong Luca only 3 hours after we arrived at the hospital!

Now we're all home. Things have changed. We're sleeping less, but we're enjoying this new life we're living!

Welcome Luca!!!

New Work: La Vida Intensa

International Arts & Artists’ Hillyer Art Space presents La Vida Intensa featuring new paintings by Gregory Ferrand.

The exhibition opens Friday, March 6, 2009, with a reception from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The exhibition closes Friday, April 24, 2009.

Hillyer Art Space is located at 9 Hillyer Court, NW, Washington, DC 20008

Paintings in Progress 2

Looks like I'll be painting up until the last minute (as usual) as I wrap things up for the Hillyer show, which has a title by the way: La Vida Intensa. wish me luck and enjoy a few details of paintings I'm working on!

at work in the studio

the work place

Paintings in Progress

A while ago I promised that I would post some progress shots (not very good ones) of the paintings I'm working on for my show in March at Hillyer Art Space. These are some shots I took over a month ago and while I realize they don't reveal much I think they are interesting glimpses into the work I'm doing. Don't worry though, I'll post more in the next couple of weeks! Enjoy!

Back to the Basics

The past couple of months have found me working hard on getting new paintings together for my upcoming show at Hillyer Art Space in March. And I have been working hard: sketching, planing, prepping canvases and have a bunch of paintings underway.

On Sunday I decided that I needed a break from my intense routine and started working on some new rough sketches for the next batch of paintings I want to finish for the show. I've been drawing and drawing and drawing (or trying to draw) for the past couple of days, but things aren't coming out the way I would like. So last night I decided I needed to clear my head and go back to the basics and draw from life.

I did a quick self portrait and started to feel good, like I was relearning how to see. It isn't perfect (the eyes are a bit off due to slight shifts in the pose and I didn't pay that much attention to my hair and beard), but I feel like its a good start. I'm hoping to do a few more
of these before I dive back into the routine!

1st Solo Show

I'm excited to announce that I have been asked to do my first solo show (ever) at Hillyer Art Space (right off Dupont Circle) in March of 2009 (I'll have the exact dates posted here later). I'm looking forward to having the opportunity to put together a large comprehensive body of work!