GREENSBORO – “Tricks of the Light,” a new show by Brent McCoy in the Highland Center for the Arts (HCA) gallery, opened with a well-attended reception, early Saturday evening, Nov. 15.
McCoy is a multidisciplinary artist and adventurer living in Greensboro. Much of his creative work focuses on developing connections between people through laughter and shared experiences.
photo by Paul Fixx
McCoy grew up on a hilltop dairy farm in Hardwick. His parents actively counseled him not to become a farmer because of the inherent financial difficulties, so he became an artist.
He holds a BA in Studio Art from Bates College, 2003. His paintings capture reflection, detail and the color of the world around him, ranging from still life, to industrial landscapes, to portraiture.
When he’s not in the studio in Northeastern Vermont, he travels the globe as a variety entertainer and paraglider pilot.
photo by Paul Fixx
This show highlights his work in the American realist tradition, with three themes that demonstrate various aspects of his work.
Silverware bouquets highlight his mastery of the many ways light travels through transparent materials, reflects off shiny surfaces and transforms slightly with each subsequent reflection.
Vibrant colors feature in most of McCoy’s work. He says he generally limits himself to just five colors as each piece develops, though he will sometimes allow himself additional colors as he finishes each painting.
photo by Paul Fixx
The show’s second theme features a variety of everyday household objects, examples of which are a stand mixer and an artfully arranged set of stainless steel pots, with a top balanced on the edge of a bowl, that some gallerygoers at the opening thought might tip over at any moment. That sense made it clear light isn’t the only trick in McCoy’s quiver.
Again, treatment of the subjects demonstrated McCoy’s facility in the treatment of reflection and the subtleties of color in shadow and light.
A variety of landscapes include a series of small Hardwick subjects familiar to many at the opening. Vibrant color, night scenes and light, both natural and from cars and streetlights featured in those works too. Larger landscapes demonstrate similar explorations of their subjects.
courtesy photo
“The work in this exhibit comes from Vermont’s mud season and stick season, times of year when ‘beautiful’ might not be the first adjective to come to mind,” said McCoy. “But I enjoyed trying to capture the color of Hardwick’s dreary November mornings, the golden light of late December afternoons, and long shadows on muddy back roads at the first signs of winter’s thaw.”
In his talk, McCoy shared his thoughts on what it means for him to be a painter, saying he sees this aspect of his work as a lifelong pursuit, allowing him to make a connection to other artists.
He talked about his process being about the tactics he employs to create his paintings. Some of which are limiting the size of his canvases, limiting the number of colors he allows himself and limiting the number of brushes he employs. He said the restrictions help him to “avoid distraction because less is more.”
“I have included several larger pieces and drawings from the past in this showing,” said McCoy. “These were not part of a sustained investigation, but rather brief forays into something I found compelling at the time. Each has informed my more recent work in its own way.”
McCoy said he’s seen improvements in his technique as he’s devoted more time to his painting over the last year and took pride in what he called, “Cool accomplishments.”
Talking about his technique, McCoy laid out various steps in his process. He begins with an under drawing, followed by under painting, then a wash of color. Only then does he begin to add texture, he said.
McCoy paints with acrylics and enjoys the tactile effect of working on solid panels, which offer a firm surface that canvas does not.
He talked about exploring the balance between looseness and precision, saying, “When everyone has a phone, why paint in photorealism?” His answer was, “Because it’s sloppy.”
All the artwork in the show is for sale, with prices noted on each. Learn more at brentmccoy.com
Paul Fixx is editor of The Hardwick Gazette and lives in Hardwick.
