Featured Artist for November 1999

Featured GiveAway by Eugene Fairbanks Big Branch Stream, 12" x 24" - 1999, Acrylic on Canvas Valued at $1200

Michael Snyder Port Chester, NY

This past summer Gene hiked down a steep hillside in the Green Mountains of Vermont to reach this large branch nestled in a mountain stream. His affection for nature led to Big Branch Stream with its huge rocks, clear pools and waterfalls inspiring him. Cold stream water was used to mix the paints and offered a welcome relief from the hot summer sun.


MEET THE ARTIST

Featured Artist Eugene Fairbanks

Eugene Fairbanks was born on January 8, 1935, in West Pawlet, Vermont, a small hamlet of a few hundred people noted for its slate industry and dairy farming. His maternal grandfather had immigrated from Wales to work in the quarries there. His paternal grandfather was a professional photographer, and the few photographs Gene possesses are masterful in their composition and use of light. His great grandmother was a member of the Eddy family of Chittenden, Vermont, who were involved in late nineteenth century spiritualism. The Eddy family held seances where manifestations would occur at their Vermont farmhouse.

Reporter Henry Steel Olcott investigated the seances and his experiences at the Eddy farmhouse changed him from a skeptic to a true believer. He became a proponent of occult wisdom and formed the Theosophical Society, which is still in existence today. As Gene began to study art history, he came to realize the deep connections between the spiritual and creative, as in the art of Africa and Oceania or in the art of individual artists such as Van Gogh.

Gene's beginnings as an artist were inspired by beauty of the natural forms and landscapes that surrounded his childhood. He believes when feelings are right, an awakening happens, stirring him to work. His spiritual connection with trees, flowers, brooks and all forms of nature was born and nourished in West Pawlet and Granville, a small village a short distance from West Pawlet on the border of New York and Vermont. He spent a lot of time outdoors, taking pencils and charcoal and anything to draw. He always carried with him a pocket knife used to carve animals and figures from soft sticks.

Writing has always been an important adjunct to Gene's life and career. He has written articles, plays and books more as a hobby than as a vocation. He loves to read art books, biographies, great novels and appreciates theater. Gene also enjoys hiking, skiing, canoeing and spending time with his family. He does find dealing with galleries and the business of art a weakness and something he dislikes. As an art instructor, he abhors books and TV shows that attempt to teach painting by "how to" techniques that simplify the whole process. He feels that approaches such as these lull prospective students into a state of mind that can only prove to be detrimental to their own artistic growth. He believes that every individual has the potential to be an artist if willing to do the exercises and studies necessary to really work emotionally.

Gene feels healed by nature and experiences peacefulness that shows in his work. The quietness of his location offers him the luxury of being close to nature that he needs for his art, although he does miss the close proximity of galleries and museums in New York City. He considers himself a serious painter and does not paint for tourists. Some of his larger works take months to finish. He enjoys color and an ambiguity of space that separates artist from subject matter.

Based in the country he can be classified as a provincial artist, away from contemporary painting often prevalent in larger cities, but he tries to be informed of developments in the field. He says that “the art world is a complicated structure sometimes not knowing its own boundaries or often displaying a rapid shift of focus on what is considered avant-garde."

Mickey Spillane and George Wilson 1995, Acrylic on Stretched Canvas 42" x 48", $30,000

George and Mickey have been close friends since they were pilots during WWII. George is an exceptional landscape artist and Mickey his friend. Both agreed to the portrait, actually a collaboration among three artists. The landscape painting within the painting was painted by George and is signed by him. .

College helped improve his technique, which at the time was surrounded by a burst of very different ideas by artists such as Pollock, de Kooning and Rothko. Gene's studies in art history for his masters degree encouraged museum visits as well as extensive studies. He frequented the Metropolitan, Whitney and Museum of Modern Art in New York City, traveled to Europe to visit museums such as the Louvre, where he discovered the works of Caravaggio, Vermeer and Manet, proving lasting impact on him for years to come. Gene paints from a strong, what he calls “magical,” connection with the world. He is challenged by a sheet of canvas or linen becoming ground for the manifestation of ideas.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Gene tries to paint daily, the cycle of his energy feeling strongest in the morning hours or late evening, though ideas come just about any time and during odd instances. His life has always centered on the arts, either as art instructor or a working artist. While teaching and raising a family, he always tried to find time to keep his personal artistic directions in focus. He's painted and exhibited as he could. Gene's varied experiences in fine and commercial art helped to bring the enthusiasm of new discoveries to his own students. After leaving the field of teaching, he continued to work for a publisher as an artist and writer and has illustrated many educational books. At certain periods in his life the deadlines of commercial work left few hours for painting, but the feelings were never far removed, and when time allowed, new works would begin. He now paints with little interruption and has the luxury of painting when he's not tired or burdened with commercial work.

With Homer at Eastern Point, 1999 Acrylic on Stretched Canvas 24" x 30", $2200

Imagine a casual encounter with Winslow Homer near Prouts Neck, Maine, as he works on his painting, "Eastern Point, Prouts Neck," a painting which he proudly stated was among the finest paintings he had ever created. The ocean background recreates Homer's canvas.

Gene’s paintings try to reflect interpretation of his own emotional reactions to the world. They pull thought into organized compositions. From their problematic beginnings, he attempts to project an ease and relaxed attitude with the imagery, often a feeling of peacefulness, calmness and spiritual serenity. During the last decade he's spent more attention to detail and his symbolic references have become more indistinct. Even though he incorporates many local scenes in his art, he attempts to give the regional motifs a feeling of universality.

The still life of flowers and vase were painted from life and are combined with an imaginative background landscape.

Cottage by the Sea, 1999 Acrylic on Stretched Canvas, 22" x 16", $1200

Gene attempts to create paintings that are complete and whole, paintings with a universality of spirit and will be enriched with the passing of time. He is most content when his mind and body are in balance, when the tension of outside forces is under control, when everything is just right and the senses are at a peak. In the studio, only the sounds of the brush against the spring of the canvas are magnified and bring him pleasure.

Communion with Picasso and Warhol, 1997 Acrylic on Stretched Canvas 46" x 48", $15,000

This painting celebrates the flow of creativity from one artist to another by depicting a series of images from past masters. By using images of Greek architecture, Manet's "Dejeuner Sur L'herbe," Vermeer's "Muse," and Monet's footbridge at Giverney, the artist is reminding the viewer that great works, ideas and images are transmitted and transformed from past centuries to present day.

PARTIAL LIST OF EXHIBITS OF PAINTING AND SCULPTURE:

1956: IBM Country Club, Poughkeepsie, New York
1957: Southern Vermont Art Center, Manchester, Vermont
1961: Duncan Gallery, New York City and Paris, Group and One-person Shows
1965: Art Depot Gallery, Lagrangeville, New York
1965: Val-Kill Gallery, Hyde Park, New York
1967: Vassar College Art Gallery, Poughkeepsie, New York
1967: The Berkshire Museum, Pittsfield, Massachusetts, 1967, 1971, 1975
1977: Frascoti Fine Arts, Stonington, Connecticut
1979: Hudson Hall Gallery, Dutchess Community College, Poughkeepsie, New York
1983: Carey Arboretum, Millbrook, New York
1983: Van Wyck Homestead Museum, Fishkill, New York
1986: Studio House Gallery, Staatsburg, New York
1986: Hudson Hall Gallery, Dutchess Community College, Poughkeepsie, New York
1989: Visual Arts of Dutchess County, Armory Exhibit, Poughkeepsie, New York
1990: Kent Art Association Spring Show, Kent, Connecticut
1992: The Hales Gallery, Glens Falls, New York, 1991, One-person Show
1995: The Slate Valley Museum, Granville, New York, One-person Show, Permanent Collection
1996: The Vermont Wax Museum, Manchester, Vermont, One-person Show
1996-97: Witt's End Gallery, Pawlet, Vermont
1988-Present: Southern Vermont Art Center, Manchester, Vermont
1998-Present: West River Artists, exhibitions in various Vermont communities



PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND:

1957: Bachelor of Science, Art Education, SUNY at New Paltz, New York
1967: Master of Science, Education, SUNY at New Paltz, New York
1959 - 1990: Art and Humanities Instructor, Wappingers Central School District, New York
1980 - 1990: Board of Advisors, Dutchess Community College Art Department, Poughkeepsie NY
1985 - Present: Illustrator and author for N & N Publishing Company, Middletown, New York;
Designer for Orvis, Manchester, Vermont and Seri-Graphics, Glens Falls, New York



PUBLICATIONS AND AWARDS:

1956: Ruth Bennett Art Award (Senior Art Award)
1957: Esther Bensley Art Scholarship Award
1961: Prix de Paris, Duncan Gallery, New York City
1967: Berkshire Art Association Award for Sculpture, 16th Anniversary of Painting and Sculpture, Pittsfield, Massachusetts
1971: Berkshire Eagle Award for Painting, 20th Anniversary of Painting and Sculpture, Pittsfield, Massachusetts
1983 Dutchess County Historical Calendar sponsored by the Adriance Memorial Library, Poughkeepsie, New York
1986: Dutchess County Arts Council Calendar Participant, Dutchess County, New York
1988: Dutchess County Arts Council Calendar Participant, Dutchess County, New York
1989: Southern Vermont Art Center, 33rd Annual Fall Open Exhibition, Manchester, Vermont

Contact the Artist

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ARTIST STATEMENT

The Earth is the only known place in the universe where the human race exists, it is a magical place where colors change with the weather and climate. From its lush meadows and high peaks, hot deserts and frozen poles, rivers, lakes and oceans, it offers us all a home stunning in its visual effects, stimulating in its mystery and incomparable in its beauty. The beauty and mystery of this tiny corner of the universe has inspired us to discover and create. Our achievements in the arts are admirable, and our goals often work in harmony with our planet. If we look, listen, hear and feel, the sounds and images and great joy of our accomplishments are in the music of Mozart, the words of Shakespeare, the sculpture of Michelangelo, the paintings of Caravaggio and Vermeer, and in the works of others who inspire us and teach us that the human condition possesses great creativity. I love the challenge that great works give to me to explore new boundaries and uncharted territory of my mind or new trails in the landscape. ~ Eugene Fairbanks