An upcoming exhibition held at George Billis Gallery will feature a diverse range of artwork, from still lifes to city scenes to landscapes and more. While each painting evokes a different mood, the common thread is that of sophistication. Viewers will find paintings by such artists as Yongjae Kim, Steven Katz, Alex Roulette, Christopher Stott, Stephen Magsig, Peggie Blizard, Francis DiFronzo, Derek Buckner, Charlie Meckel and Adam Port.
Peggie Blizard, Winter Bouquets in Jars, oil on panel, 30 x 40"
“The book, Manual of Psychology, was gifted to me by a family member who received it from another family member, who received it from the original owner who was once a young man in 1905 studying to become a lawyer,” Stott explains of how his still life of the same title came to fruition. “All of the objects I paint have a built-in narrative and have a history I like to learn from. I find myself often thinking about the people who used the objects I paint, and in this case, I think about how much the world changed for the young man as his life moved through WWI, the Spanish Flu, the Roaring ’20s, the Great Depression and then WWII. The name of the actual author of the book is ‘Stout’ so I thought it was serendipitous and obvious that I should shift the name one letter to mine, ‘Stott.’” The painting features the titular Manual of Psychology flanked by several other weathered books and a jar of classic yellow No. 2 pencils in the center. The items are set against a simple, white backdrop.
Christopher Stott, Manual of Psychology, oil on canvas, 24 x 30"
Steven Katz, Yankee Stadium, oil on two panels, 16 x 40"
Another still life in the exhibition is Blizard’s Winter Bouquets in Jars. She explains the challenge of capturing the look of water in this piece and in all of her works. “The answer is that you don’t,” she says. “You can only paint the reflections as water has no color or shape. The same is true for space, which is made of air, a substance not visible but present.” Her oil on panel obeys the rule of thirds in the most aesthetically pleasing way, with three vases spaced evenly side by side, filled with water and multicolored flora. Blizard adds, “For the past several years, I have been painting flowers in jars because they offer so much more variety in color. I am inspired by their innocence and cheerfulness. The carved lettering on the jars offer even more reflections for the water.” 
Stephen Magsig, Shabby Chic, oil on linen, 42 x 36"
Magsig’s works for the show include two cityscapes that “capture quiet moments in the noise of Lower Manhattan,” says the artist. He explains that Shabby Chic, which depicts a white storefront, is about color, light and shadow. “[It’s about] trying to capture the way sunlight dances across the cast iron columns creating complex patterns of light and shadow; the bright cobalt teal color of the signage contrasting with the dark interior with the warm lights within.” He continues, “The Magnolia Bakery is also about color, light and form. How the early morning sunlight gives the corner bakery a warm glow, inviting one to sample the wonderful delicacies within.”
These and a number of other works will be on view through July 4 at George Billis Gallery in New York City. —
George Billis Gallery
525 W. 26th Street, Ground Floor • New York, NY 10001
(212) 645-2621 • www.georgebillis.com
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