Christopher Stott

Perez Fine Art Galleries

2009-11-12T18:20:00.007-06:00

My work is now showing at the Perez Fine Art Galleries — an online gallery of fine art created and curated by Alex Perez. You can see my page here. It is an honor to have been invited to show along side artists from round the world.

Please visit the gallery and check out all the fine work. It is a real feast for the eyes.

Off to School II

2009-10-20T14:27:00.003-06:00

20" x 40" — Oil/Canvas — 2009
• Available through the Elliott Fouts Gallery

When I was working on the smaller piece with the Off to School book, I set up this. Or, rather, it set itself up. While trying to control the position of the books they sort of slid in to this arrangement. I thought the angles and lines pointing in different directions and overall horizontal composition worked well.

I'll be participating in a group show in December and I have a solo show coming up in June 2010. It is only October, but I need to get cracking now. I used to keep frequent updates to this blog, but while I go in to production mode for the show, things will be quiet around here.

L'uomo Senza Passato

2009-10-16T16:13:00.004-06:00

My painting "Chair with Green Suitcase" was selected for the cover image of a recent book from an Italian book publisher, Iperborea. The book is called "L'uomo Senza Passato" (The Man Without a Past) by Aki Kaurismäki.

It is a beautifully printed book and an honor to have my painting on the cover.

Off to School

2009-09-29T22:09:00.006-06:00

16" x 24" — Oil/Canvas — 2009
• SOLD

When I found the "It's Story Time" primary reader at the antique shop near my house, I was hoping there would be another similar book. I had to dig pretty deep through shelves of old smelly books, but eventually I found this "Off to School" from the same series, with a bright blue cover.

I think the limited bright color on the canvas and the way the blue contrasts with the yellowed paper edges of the other old books help the composition. I propped up the old primary reader against the thick, heavy Manual of Psychology. It's an interesting juxtaposition.

Five Pomegranates

2009-09-28T22:03:00.004-06:00

16" x 24" — Oil/Canvas — 2009
• Available at the Elliott Fouts Gallery

I was happy to see pomegranates are in season. And I noticed a few snowmen are starting to appear in stores. Really? Seriously? It's only the end of September. A quick glance at the weather forecast tells me fall is officially here. I guess this means I have to really get to work.

Origin

2009-09-23T21:07:00.004-06:00

24" x 18" — Oil/Canvas — 2009
• Available at the Elliott Fouts Gallery

I just read that this coming November will see the 150th anniversary of Darwin's Origin of Species. I didn't paint this because of that. I honestly didn't pay much attention to all of the books I have here in the studio. Turns out one is a well preserved edition from 1892.

It's Story Time IV

2009-09-22T14:11:00.005-06:00

16" x 16" — Oil/Canvas — 2009
• SOLD

This is a relatively smaller piece, almost like an experiment to compose the books on a square canvas. I think with the right lines it works.

Five Bartlett Pears II

2009-09-11T22:35:00.004-06:00

16" x 24" — Oil/Canvas — 2009
• Available at the Elliott Fouts Gallery

Autumn. Technically it is still summer, but I'm thrilled autumn is so near. Over the past week I've begun setting up ambitious plans for paintings during the next several months. I already have several in the works. I'm looking forward to the results.

Story Time No.3

2009-08-15T09:56:00.009-06:00

24" x 16" — Oil/Canvas — 2009
• Available at the Elliott Fouts Gallery

I have been painting books for some time and find it interesting how constantly pursuing a subject means you discover different ways and different reasons to paint. My advice to any painter would be to find a subject, stick with it and grow with it.

I'm heading out for one last summer adventure that will last a week. After that it's back to reality and back to full-time painting. I'm actually looking forward to it.

4:00, 5:00, 6:00

2009-08-07T11:59:00.004-06:00

20" x 40" — Oil/Canvas — 2009
• SOLD

This is similar to a painting I did a few months ago, 1:00, 2:00, 3:00. It would appear that I have birthed a series. Are you catching on to the naming scheme?

Packham Pear & Antique Books

2009-08-05T09:57:00.006-06:00

28" x 22" — Oil/Canvas — 2009
• SOLD

I had an action-packed July that kept me away from the studio, and August pretty much seems to be a write-off as well. I'm looking forward to getting back in to full swing in the coming weeks.

New Prints

2009-07-27T15:45:00.005-06:00

I have released several new 8" x 10" giclee prints on paper. If you are not in the market for large original paintings and happen to enjoy my work, these prints are a great way to collect and display art.

These are very limited edition signed and numbered prints. Only ten are available for each image and they ship free to the USA and Canada.

They are available through Etsy — click here. Feel free to email me if you have any questions.

A Trip to California

2009-06-15T20:25:00.007-06:00

I had a great time in Sacramento, enjoyed genuine hospitality and met many interesting people. The reception was a blast. I talked my face off for three hours, and had great conversations.

Below are a few shots of the installation the afternoon before the craziness began this past Saturday night. It's a real trip to see your paintings properly presented in one place with care and attention.

I'll be taking a bit of a breather so the blog will be quiet for a few weeks. I'm looking forward to returning with some fresh pieces.

Cheers!

Saturday, June 13, 6-9PM — Reception

2009-06-10T10:16:00.001-06:00

I'll be in Sacramento for the reception for the show at the Elliott Fouts Gallery on Saturday, June 13th from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. It's Sacramento's Second Saturday event, so there will be plenty to see and do!

The gallery is located at 4749 J Street:

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Open Book & Gala Apple

2009-06-08T20:57:00.001-06:00

18" x 24" — Oil/Canvas — 2009
• SOLD

After getting the garden in, spending more time than usual playing in the dirt and going for long walks with the kids for the past few weeks, I did manage to actually get this painting done. Now I have to buckle down and get a bunch of commissions completed. Dang, I just know the summer sunshine is going to taunt me...

New Work, June 2009 — A Slideshow

2009-06-06T15:12:00.005-06:00

If you have the computing power and want to see the paintings included in my show in Sacramento in high resolution (so you can really scrutinize the work), click here. Below is a small version of the same thing.

Mandolin

2009-06-04T15:19:00.001-06:00

20" x 30" — Oil/Canvas — 2009
• Available at the Elliott Fouts Gallery

This mandolin was made in the 1890s in Sicily by Luigi Fenga. I posted a picture of me working on this painting in April here.

In 1919 a young man named Robert McPherson was serving as a medic in the Canadian 29th Infantry Battalion during WWI. He picked up this mandolin second hand in Belgium before he returned home. In 1965, as an elderly man, Mr. McPerhson befriended a young man and his family who were renting a cabin on the same property he lived on and eventually gave them the mandolin as a gift. My connection... I know the sister-in-law to the once young man in the 60s who received the mandolin from Mr. McPherson. He was kind enough to lend me it as a subject for painting.

I'm fascinated by the lineage and connected stories objects can have. It's easy to conjure up visions of a young soldier playing the mandolin, likely one of few momentary escapes in what would have been an unimaginable time.

I did some research and found these two photographs of the 29th Battalion. There's no way of knowing if Mr. McPherson is in these photos or knew these fellows, but they give perspective to the time, place and atmosphere.

Southwest Art Magazine - June 2009

2009-06-03T12:27:00.004-06:00

I finally got my hands on the June 2009 issue of Southwest Art magazine... where I'm referred to as Christopher Scott. Still, I must say it is really an honor to be in the magazine! Click on the image to see it large and give it a read.

"Thank You" - Bubblegum Machine

2009-06-02T21:05:00.006-06:00

40" x 30" — Oil/Canvas — 2009
• SOLD

Hanging for the month of June at the Elliott Fouts Gallery in Sacramento is my two-man show with Manuel Nunes.

This large bubble gum machine is in the show. I did this several months and it'll be nice to see it again during the reception for the show, during Sacramento's Second Saturday on June 13th. It's been some time since I have seen my work together hanging in a space. You get such a different perspective for paintings when you see them properly lit... and not in a messy studio.

Manual of Psychology

2009-05-29T21:49:00.004-06:00

20" x 20" — Oil/Canvas — 2009
• SOLD

The Manual of Psychology belonged to a law student in 1905. My mother-in-law's mother-in-law was the housekeeper for the gentleman lawyer decades after his schooling. After he passed away, she was given all his books as they were something she admired.

I have the book sitting in front of me. As I casually flipped it open, it landed on a page discussing spacial perception. One hundred and four years ago the student scrawled the word chiaroscuro beside the phrase "The play of light and shade...". I find it curious that I'd flip open an ancient psychology text and by chance fall on a page explaining visual concepts used by artists — the use of light and shadow to create a sense of depth.

Is this book trying to tell me something?

It's Story Time No.2

2009-05-28T13:00:00.004-06:00

24" x 20" — Oil/Canvas — 2009
• SOLD

This is another composition with the early 1960s children's book, It's Story Time. I had fun with with a triangular composition which I think works well with the overall simplicity of the shapes in my work.

My four-year-old daughter was flipping through book and was fascinated by the illustrations. She was inspired and did a little sketch of a bird and left it as a gift for me.

Underwood Typewriter

2009-05-27T09:36:00.009-06:00

30" x 36" — Oil/Canvas — 2009
• Available at the Elliott Fouts Gallery

I frequently visit the website Shorpy.com, which features high resolution photographs from the 1850s to 1950s. Their tag-line is true, there always is something interesting there.

I was pleasantly surprised to find these two images; the first is of the Underwood Typewriter Co.'s office in Washington, D.C. around 1919. Second photograph is the "Office Girls" from 1925. The girl on the left is hard at work on her Underwood. Click on the images to visit the site and you can find super-mega-high resolution scans with incredible detail.

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The Fans

2009-05-26T09:46:00.003-06:00

Two Vintage Electric Fans
20" x 24" — Oil/Canvas — 2009
• Available at the Elliott Fouts Gallery

Vintage Electric Fan, Three Glasses of Water
30" x 36" — Oil/Canvas — 2009
• SOLD

It turns out I have an interest in industrial design. And nostalgia. And strong geometric shapes. And icons and symbols found in everyday objects. The interests manifest themselves in paintings. Paintings that are done with a slight lean on old masters painting techniques with an emphasis on how that light falls on these objects. Recently that light has been the dependable light from a north-facing window in my house.

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The Bosc Pear

2009-05-25T09:05:00.004-06:00

Three Bosc Pears & Antique Book
16" x 24" — Oil/Canvas — 2009
• SOLD

Nine Pear Huddle
20" x 30" — Oil/Canvas — 2009
• SOLD

My muse, the pear. The perfect way to study light and color with a simply beautiful shape. These two pieces will be included in the June show.

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Bottles & Bartlett Pears

2009-05-20T21:44:00.006-06:00

24" x 24" — Oil/Canvas — 2009
• SOLD

My good friend Karin Jurick emailed me and said she spotted this painting in the June 2009 issue of Southwest Art Magazine, promoting my upcoming two-man show with Manuel Nunes at the Elliott Fouts Gallery in Sacramento.

The article refers to me as Christopher Scott. Easy to do... Christopher Stott / Christopher Scott... see the difference? Even if you say it out loud you can barely hear the difference. It is a common error for the entire Stott clan. Everyone with my last name has a Stott/Scott mix-up to share. The upside is that it is easy to hide my identity should I ever need to. The downside is it makes it hard to Google me to find out more about my work.

Once I get my hands on an actual copy of the magazine I'll share it with you, along with many more paintings included in the show.

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