Brent Harris, 3rd Place Winner

Winner of the Fall 2011 Competition

JOY TO THE WORLD

Intrepretations, imaginings or vision of this human emotion.

A VIEW FROM THE HEARTLAND

oil on canvas

16 x 20 in
NFS

artist statement

I believe that every experience we have, every living being we interact with, and everything we experience in life makes us who we are. All that we have and all that we are infuses us and is expressed in the way we live and the dreams we cherish.

I explore my dream, my vision, through landscape, portraiture juxtapositions, social comment and humor. I examine how we see the world through color and image, combining ideas and images until they coalesce into a cohesive whole.

I know that one person can change the world, even if it’s only one person at a time.

My painting’s title, “A View From the Heartland,” might suggest farmsteads, rolling fields of wheat or corn, lazy rivers and myriad other possibilities. That would be a view from the outside of a fantasy world where, “God’s in his heaven and all’s right with the world.”

My painting of a joyful, happily-married couple, another heartland, portrays my vision of a view from the inside looking out. The frightening world of smiling aliens in a hellish landscape conservative and ultra-conservative middle America sees when it looks outside itself. Yet the couple and conservative Americans live in a real, flesh-and-blood reality between these two extremes.

Even if the couple were truly alien and their landscape otherworldly, their joy, love and radiant smiles create a joyful noise that will one day change the world.

bio

Creative by nature, I’ve pursued artistic endeavors across a wide spectrum, written, graphic, fiber and plastic arts. Each of these disciplines contribute to my art and sensibilities. I have studied formally with Paul Bridenbaugh, Eileen David, Noah Buchanan and Julie A. Andrews. My need to create, my vision and imagination are the foundation of my art and expression. Academic learning and life’s lessons are tools that I use to make my art live.

EXHBITIONS

"Portraits/Self Portraits" Studio One Art Center, Oakland CA (juried)
December 2011 through January 2012

"Scapes" Pacific Art League, Palo Alto, CA (juried)
November, 2011 ~ Honorable Mention

"Urban Forest" Pacific Art League, Palo Alto, CA (juried)
October, 2011

“Evolution of Revolution” artscenetoday.com, Finalist
September, 2011

"Multiples" Pacific Art League, Palo Alto, CA (juried)
September, 2011

"Figures & Faces" Pacific Art League, Palo Alto, CA (juried)
August, 2011 ~ Honorable Mention

“All-Media 2011” Chico Art Center, Chico, CA (juried)
May/June2011

“Arts on Fire XV” Art Guild of Pacifica, Pacifica, CA (juried)
April/May 2011

“Coming Into View” Emerging Artists, Driftwood Salon: San Francisco,
January 2011

“Inside Out” artscenetoday.com, Finalist
December 2010

brent harris

pacifica, california [USA]

www.brentsartcentral.com

lifenart1@gmail.com

ArtSceneToday Q&A

Q: Where do you see yourself in the art scene today?

A: I am an emerging artist gaining recognition through juried shows and gallery presentation, judged by museum curators, gallery owners, university art professors and other art professionals. My year has begun auspiciously with this award from artscenetoday.com, and I expect expanding awareness of my talent as I continually pursue my vision and excellence in my art.

Q: What is in your inspiration?

A: Our current social concerns, perceived injustice and anything that speaks to me fuel my fire. I believe art should engender a response, intellectual, emotional or visceral.

Q: What are your challenges?

A: As I’m sure many other artists and creative professionals would opine, time space and money present the biggest challenges.

Q: How did you/do you choose your medium?

A: Oil paint, which is what I used to paint “A View From the Heartland,” is my preferred medium. However, my background in other media and modes of expression allows me to mix and match across a wide range of media and technique.

Q: Which artist has influenced you the most?

A: I claim no single artist as my inspiration. Dutch Masters, Renaissance artists, impressionists, and all of the art which best speaks to me inform my art.

GO TO

JOY TO THE WORLD

Exhibition Page

other works by the artist