New Photos: Oblique Reflections Opening @ Tryst Art Gallery

Oblique Reflections Opening @ Tryst Art Gallery


Oblique Reflections Opening @ Tryst Art Gallery


Oblique Reflections Opening @ Tryst Art Gallery


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Press Release: Oblique Reflections

Chandler, AZ -Clay Elliott will be displaying new paintings from his Oblique Reflections series at Tryst Art Gallery in Chandler. The new paintings that make up the Oblique Reflections series are stylized reinterpretations of Gothic and Byzantine architecture and statues from Spain and Italy. Inspired by the artist's trip to Europe in 2006, the series has been gestating for close to two years. The style in which these works are presented explores the manipulation of the light that reflects off of the subjects in a way which creates an illusion of reality with a surreal subtext as well as an underlying influence of psychedelia. Presented with bold color palettes and high contrasts of light and shadow, the paintings, which are mostly acrylic and drawing ink on canvas, examine obscure translations of classic forms by giving life to inanimate objects through a visual language that creates a sense of history and a passing of time while also looking ahead to the future.

Tryst Art Gallery at Inspirador is located in Historic Downtown Chandler and is one of several businesses that participate in Downtown Chandler's First Wednesday Artwalk. The opening reception is free and will feature complimentary wine tasting.


Opening Reception: Wednesday December 3rd, 5pm-9pm
Exhibited: December 1st - December 30th, 2008
Hours: Wednesday - Sunday 10am-5pm

Tryst Art Gallery
63 East Boston Street
Historic Downtown Chandler
Arizona 85225
www.inspirador.com

Painting Journal: The Pleasantest Dreams Of A Life

Recreating a memory is nearly impossible. We often times try to relive them in our minds, but at no fault of our own, the memory is not perfect. This painting is a particularly special piece to me because I created it for my wife, Amanda. During college, she studied abroad in Granada , Spain , a place that she loved and frequently yearns for. While she was there, she took hundreds of photos of the city and its people…trying to capture the moments she was in. It was as if she knew that leaving Granada would break her heart. The painting is based off of a photo she took of the façade of Granada ’s 16th Century gothic cathedral. A place so special that King Fernando of Aragon, Queen Isabel of Castile and their daughter Juana and her husband Felipe, are laid to rest in its Royal Chapel.

Many people, including myself, have traveled to the City, allowing it to woo them with its charm. During his final days in Granada , Washington Irving wrote “Day after day was spent in lingering about my favorite haunts, and day after day they appeared more delightful in my eyes.” I know this is how my wife feels about Granada . Each crack and crevice, every statue, building, tree and street performer became more delightful to her each moment she was there. I am so glad to have created a piece that she sees everyday and smiles at when she thinks of this beautiful City where she left a piece of herself behind.

The title The Pleasantest Dreams of a Life is taken from Washington Irving’s book Tales from the Alhambra . "A little further and Granada , the Vega, and the Alhambra , were shut from my view; and thus ended one of the pleasantest dreams of a life, which the reader perhaps may think has been but too much made up of dreams."