Arcadia Fine Arts Gallery Online Log / Blog

I hope a mysterious cropping of some limp legs with a suspicious title puts you in some sort of appropriately creepy mood today. Kerry Brooks always makes me assume the worst for the characters portrayed in her drawings, and the naturally somber tone of her graphite doesn’t lighten the air either. Her work definitely calls for closer inspection both technically and narratively. Come check out some of her drawings at our booth at the Boston International Fine Art Show November 17-20. If you can’t make it to Boston, then run to your newsstand to pick up the latest issue of American Artist Drawing magazine which just happens to sport Mrs. Brooks’ work on the cover. Either way, have a happy Halloween and stay away from any “discoveries” today.

Kerry Brooks, “Discovery,” Graphite on Paper, 3.75″ x 4″

Happy Saturday everybody. I hope this post finds you in a kindly air conditioned environment. The streets of Soho are pretty sticky today– it blows my mind that people are buying Ugz in the summer. Anyways, this kind of still, humid New York summer weather has made my mind wonder off into Kerry Brooks-windy-rural-landscape territory. This is my favorite new piece of hers from the New Faces of Realism Show, and I don’t think I’m alone. It’s one of the most crisp drawings I’ve seen from Kerry, and it hits hard with all of those great unsettling vibes. She’s exploring new territory in this piece while really refining her craft.

Kerry Brooks, “Trespass,” Graphite on Paper, 4.5″ x 4″

This week has been a blur of great art surrounded by great people.  Thursday night was the opening reception of our New Faces of Realism group show in celebration of Arcadia’s 10th Anniversary.  Additionally, last night was the closing reception for American Artist Magazine’s Weekend With The Masters.  One of the pieces on display is this fantastic little Kerry Brooks drawing.  I’ve raved about her work on here over the last few months, and this new batch of work does not disappoint.  Her technique is becoming increasingly crisper, while her compositions are becoming more refined, creating a very classy presentation with her signature dramatic edge.

Kerry Brooks, “In The Garden,” Graphite on Paper, 4″ x 4″

For everyone keeping track of our upcoming shows, our next one coming up is our New Faces of Realism group show, featuring a great selection of up and comers. I thought it would be cool to get studio shots from some of the artists involved and let you get to know them just a bit. Here is a snap shot from Kerry Brooks’ drawing table. She just moved to New York City a few months ago and she’s still setting up shop while making some great new work for the show.

With a handful of new work from Kerry Brooks on the horizon, I thought it would be a great time to show off an amazing piece of hers from the 2010 Small Works Show.  ”Drowning” is a quintessential example of Brooks’ cinematic perspective on typically mundane and overlooked subjects.  This piece is easily the first time I’ve felt uneasy about a perfectly clean sink.    In fact, the narrative is incredibly ambiguous, but the way it’s rendered and lit brings a strong sense of foreboding.  I don’t know who is washing what.  All I know is that I don’t want to be near that sink— and I can’t look away.

Kerry Brooks, “Drowning,” Graphite on Paper, 4.5″ x 4″

Kerry Brooks has a keen eye for cinematic drama. While some pieces are more overt than others, her ability to twist the ennui of day to day American life into compelling narratives is constant. Her storytellers heart combined with a tight graphite technique, and a compact format make for an intimate, macabre, and strangely precious visual experience.

“The End,” Graphite on Paper, 5.75″ x 3.75″

Kerry Brooks in the Small Works Show 2010:

Kerry Brooks "Good Girl" Graphite Paper- 4x3.75 Frame- 11.5x11.5

Kerry Brooks is a new comer to Arcadia Gallery and certainly a favorite among the staff here.  Her works are both beautiful and macabre with an incredible narrative quality.  While she is a great draftsman, her cinematic compositions show that at her strongest, she more like a film director shooting in graphite.  Brilliant stuff, hope you all love it too.

Kerry Brooks "Revenge" Graphite Paper- 2.75x3.5 Frame- 10x12

More works below:

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The basement walls full of new work for the Small Works Show .

Just giving you a little preview of the first show of our 2010 fall season: The Annual Small Works Show 2010.  This will be a group show of works roughly 12″ x 12″ or smaller (mostly…).  The show contains some fantastic little gems from a wide range of artists from Dan Adel to Aron Wiesenfeld.  We will be posting previews until the opening of the show- September 23, 2010 at 6 pm.  Stay tuned!

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The Arcadia Gallery Booth at The San Francisco Art Fair 2010 @ Fort Mason Center minutes before the Thursday Night Gala Opening

The opening gala of the San Francisco Art Fair was a rousing success with over 3,000 people in attendance.  Congratulations to breakthrough artist Kerry Brooks for her debut with Arcadia.  Two of her pieces sold at the opening.  Julio Reyes is continuing to ride a wave of acclaim as two out of three of his brand new drawings sold on the opening night as well.

Feel free to stop by the booth and say hello to Steve if you’re in the SF area.  There’s plenty of new work to check out, and it always looks better in person.  And for all you New Yorkers, you’re always welcome to stop by the gallery.  The Michael Klein show is on the walls in its entirety.

Below are a few photos of the booth before the opening last night.

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As you can see, we’re just about to send a cargo boxes full of work to The San Francisco Fine Art Fair.  The fair opens May 21st with  a lot of great new work from Ron Hicks, Malcolm Liepke, Matthew Cornell, Michael Chapman, Daniel Sprick, Joseph Todorovich, and Aron Wiesenfeld, plus some brand new work from up and comers Kerry Brooks and Julio Reyes.

Stay tuned for previews of the new work…