The work of Brian Shaw, associate professor of art at Spring Arbor University, will be featured in the Daughtery Gallery starting on Jan. 27. The show is entitled “Brian Shaw Solo Art” and features a wide array of subjects including nature, water scenes, and animals.
Despite studying natural art for the past two decades, Shaw drew much of his inspiration for this exhibit from his 2011 sabbatical to Port Isaac, Cornwall in Northern England. In England, Shaw could “recharge his batteries” and focus on art rather than day-to-day tasks. There he studied how artists can affect a community and the impact the community has on local artists.
“I got to go into a brand new community and see if an artist could make a difference or could be a mover and shaker within a community,” he said. “All of that happened, so I couldn’t be happier.”
Shaw says, however, his main inspiration comes from God.
“I thought that one way I could give back a portion of what I saw was my talent in a way that honored God,” he said. “I do see God in the work as a reflection of God in my life.”
In the exhibit, Shaw uses mainly acrylic paint, which allows him to capture detail. His emphasis on detail is his greatest strength said Co-Gallery Manager Juliana Chuslo, Junior. She says the precision on the fur of the wolf in Shaw’s painting “Laying Low” makes it very realistic.
The variation of subjects in Shaw’s work also strengthens the exhibit, Professor of Art Samuel Knecht said.
“It’s going to be a very interesting variety. I encouraged a cross-section of different subjects he’s done over the past 10 years,” he said.
Shaw’s favorite painting in the exhibit is “Moon Over Lobber.” The painting depicts the moon rising over a jetty jutting into the ocean, which was the view out of his window in Port Isaac.
“I got to watch that ecosystem change with the weather, the lighting, and the time of year. That one is especially meaningful because it has a lot of personal connection,” he said.
Junior Julia Kilgore, Co-Gallery Manager, said most artists shy away from using the shade or intensity of red that Shaw chose.
“It’s not overpowering, but it’s eye catching,” she said.
By not focusing on a single subject, the exhibit features many different colors. Kilgore finds Shaw’s use of color makes the paintings more appealing to the eye. In the piece “Farming: Past, Present, and Future,” Shaw’s dirt not only features myriad shades of brown, but also purple which makes the dirt more realistic, she said.
Shaw’s surprising use of color also creates depth to his paintings.
“What is very intriguing about his wildlife paintings is that in many cases he presents a kind of camoflauge aspect. There’s one painting in particular that seems to feature a burst of light in the middle of some woods. You think there is just light on some oak leaves, but then you discover a buck hidden by the greenery,” Knecht said.
Kilgore urges all students, including non-art majors, to visit the gallery. To appreciate the detail and color in Shaw’s work students should view the painting up-close and from afar, she said.
Shaw encourages students to read his artist statement to better understand his work.
“Take the time read the artist statement and start to think about this idea of nature and community,” he said. “Reflect on how things change and evolve over time, how things become new even in your own perspective.”
eepperson@hillsdale.edu
