The Collectors - Where Are They Now? #3

The third in this series of blog posts are the paintings: Stand Clear of the Doors, Please! and You're Innocent When You Dream. 
 

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

Collectors Rachel and Eddie Eitches

Rachel Eitches

Eddie Eitches

Collector's Statement

I love the strong narrative element in Gregory Ferrand's work. A dramatic sense of foreboding enhanced by the lighting and the color scheme attracted my attention to this painting [Stand Clear of the Doors, Please!]. It conjures up the hustle and bustle of urban mass transportation. Diverse characters with expressive faces cross paths and reveal contrasting purposes. The limp bunny cradled by the girl in the foreground like a victim caught in the crossfire reminds me of a worn and beloved toy from my childhood."

Rachel Eitches

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Stand Clear of the Doors, Please! was created to be shown in my space at Artomatic 2007. The painting was inspired by the paranoia generated through the policies and secrecy that was typical throughout the Bush years, when America was confronted with color alert codes, the revelation that secret detention centers run by the US existed, and public awareness campaigns that warned one that "If you see something, say something."

rough sketch

 

Stand Clear of the Doors, Please!

acrylic on canvas, 40"x24"

 

You're Innocent When You Dream  was created in 2011 and like many of my paintings explores the complexities of family life and the isolation and escapism sometimes induced by technology. I consider this painting to be a high point in the development of my creative process because I feel that I was successful in depicting the depth of shadow through the use of color (not just black paint) contrasted against light from one bright source (not just relying on white paint) through the use of layering.  In addition, I think that I was able to tell a multi-layered story successfully in just one shot.

 



rough sketch

 

You're Innocent When You Dream

acrylic on canvas, 30"x24"

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The Collectors - Where Are They Now?

-POST#1 Andrea Paipa and Ben Feldman
-POST#2 Christine Cordner

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