Hill Rag | December 2007 | Art and the City

Art and the City

by: Jim Magner

Artist Profile: Chris Stephens
His work lives in the forces of the outside – the cold light from the autumn winds, the warmth of the sun or stars and the power of water vapor that orders itself into billowy clouds that pose for a few moments and then move on. It is those forces that send messages to the eyes of Chris Stephens and keep him entranced.

His work is about the poetry of the outdoors, but it is just as much about the art of making art. He looks intently and makes his marks carefully, not to make the painting conform to some preconceived notion, but to pick up clues from the real, ever-changing world. Most of all, he wants energy in his color and brushwork. He works fast and resists the temptation to get fussy. “If you try to fix everything, you can take the life right out of a painting.”

Chris lives with his family in Front Royal, Va., migrating from DC 20 years ago. He grew up in Raleigh, NC, the shy middle kid whose personal identity got wrapped up in art at a very early age. Unlike most of us, he became a professional painter first, and then went to a good college art school that stressed drawing and the other basics as well as discipline and practice.

He has taught art at community colleges and has been the “artist in residence” in Warren County, Va. But teaching requires so much time and energy that he has again devoted his time to being a professional painter.

In Chris Stephens’ work, the life is there because the energy is there. It is not about ego or a grasp for artistic immortality. He’s just telling a story about life one painting at a time. He tells the story very well.

You can see and buy his work in December at the Long View Gallery at 1302 Ninth St. NW. Call 202-232-4788 or see www.longviewgallery.com.

Jim Magner’s Thoughts on Art
The success of the holiday season is generally measured by consumer spending – an obsession of our hard-charging material world. It should really be a season of ideas, of course – thoughts of the meaning of it all, but that notion is certainly considered quaint, and like a Christmas fruitcake, to be quietly ignored.

As a child, Christmas was a time of visual ideas: the paintings and pictures of simple places, humble people and serene, undisturbed nature. In a word, art.

Art is still a saving grace in a time that needs considerably more grace – both spiritually and behaviorally. Happily, there is plenty of great art and special exhibits in the local museums at the moment, and there are very good shows at the private art galleries all over the area. Add to that the hundreds of individual artists who sell at open-air locations such as the Eastern Market on Capitol Hill and in the street fairs in the various neighborhoods.

So if you find yourself in need of a protective cove – a tranquil place out of the vicious currents of holiday shopping, slide your mind into a visual eddy, and let it float for a while.

Remember also, that art has economic as well as subjective value. It is hard to find a better gift that allows you to share a visual idea … and genuine emotion.
Have a great holiday season … give art.

At the Museums

Impressionists by the Sea
The Phillips Collection
1600 21st St. NW
To Jan. 13
We love these paintings, not just because they are superbly painted, but because they are deep-down pleasing. This is the way life should be – just you and me by the beautiful sea. And maybe a few well-chosen friends. It’s an ideal world free of mess and bad smells, with soft breezes off the azure waters under lovely cerulean skies.

It is the mid 1800s, and tracks are being laid from Paris to the shores of the English Channel. The railroads bring tourists, and painters, who transform the rough villages of sailors and fishermen to upscale playgrounds for the city swells – the social worthies of Paris with their grand dresses and parasols, suits, derbies and walking sticks.

Isabey, Corot, Courbet, Monet, Cassat, Whistler, Renoir and others, capture this transition. There are still a few working folks around, but even they are idealized: beautiful and happy.

With the tourist came the graceful sailboat with elegant forms that reflect the subtle offshore lights and shades. These are not working boats. They are aloof, self-aware swans gliding over the waters of the good life – mysterious in their world apart from the laborers. And a painter’s dream. And what painter of romance doesn’t love water, as difficult as it may be technically. This water flows and ebbs, reflecting an eternity of calm … yet moody at times and a trifle rough to remind you that nature rules.

Not all of these paintings are technically Impressionist, but who cares? They are unfailingly pleasant and a warm delight on a nippy winter’s day. www.phillipscollection.org.

Annie Leibovitz
Corcoran Gallery of Art
500 17th St. NW
To Jan. 13
“A Photographer's Life, 1990–2005” includes more than 200 photographs encompassing Leibovitz’s well-known celebrity work as well as personal photographs of her family and friends. These are the significant people and events of recent times, along with the people who were significant in her life. www.Corcoran.org.

National Gallery of Art
Constitution Avenue between Third and Seventh streets NW
The two not-to-be-missed shows of the holidays continue though December. JMW Turner is up until Jan. 6, and Edward Hopper goes to Jan 21. www.nga.gov.

At the Galleries

Wrap-It-Up
Capitol Hill Art League
545 Seventh St. SE
Dec. 8-21
The CHAL holiday fun time is back featuring smallish works of art at merry prices. Buy the art off the walls, have it gift-wrapped and take it home. Opening reception: Dec. 8, 5-8 p.m. 202-547-6839, www.chaw.org.

Small Treasures
American Painting Fine Art
5118 MacArthur Blvd. NW
Dec. 1-30
The annual sale of small paintings, prints and mixed media covers the whole range of subjects in the diverse styles of the 13 accomplished and well-known area artists. There is something for everyone here. Opening reception: Dec. 1, 5-7 p.m. 202-244-3244, www.classicamericanpainting.com.

All Media Show
Touchstone Gallery
406 Seventh St. NW, Second floor
To Jan. 5
The annual holiday juried show of art and fine craft begins Dec. 12. Opening reception: Dec. 14, 6-8:30 p.m.. 202-347-2787, www.touchstonegallery.com.

Low Country
Art of South Carolina
Zenith Gallery
413 Seventh St. NW
To Dec. 30
Works depicting the Gullah culture of the South Carolina low country are at the heart of this show of paintings, batik, collage, sweetgrass baskets and glass, by nine artists who were raised in African cultural traditions. 202-783-2963, www.zenithgallery.com.

Martha Phillips
Prudential Carruthers Realtors
Capitol Hill
216 Seventh St. SE
Dec. 7- Jan. 18
Martha Phillips’ non-traditional works on paper include sea and landscapes and “people in their environment.” Opening reception: Dec.7, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Ann Crain
Harmony Hall Regional Center
Fort Washington, Md.
To Dec. 15
Ann Crain uses strong color and texture to create a mood with these new works. 302-203-6070

William T. Wiley
Marsha Mateyka Gallery
2012 R St. NW
To Dec. 22
“Choosing Things over Time” marks Wiley’s 10th solo exhibition at the gallery. He combines imagery with abstraction, and social comment often seeps in to define the message. 202-328-0088, www.marshamateykagallery.com.

Jim Magner is a Capitol Hill artist and writer. He can be reached at ArtandtheCity05@aol.com.


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Art and the City

by: Jim Magner
Artist Profile: Chris Stephens His work lives in the forces of the outside – the cold light from the autumn winds, the warmth of the sun or stars and the power of water vapor that orders itself into billowy clouds that pose for a few moments and then move on. It is those forces that send messages to the eyes of Chris Stephens and keep him entranced. His work is about the poetry of the outdoors, but it is just as much about the art of making art. He looks intently and makes his marks carefully, not to make the painting conform to some preconceived notion, but to pick up clues from the real, ever-changing world. Most of all, he wants energy in his color and brushwork. He works fast and resists the temptation to get fussy. “If you try to fix everything, you can take the life right out of a painting.” Chris lives with his family in Front Royal, Va., migrating from DC 20 years ago. He grew up in Raleigh, NC, the shy middle kid whose personal identity got wrapped up in art at a very early age. Unlike most of us, he became a professional painter first, and then went to a good college art school that stressed drawing and the other basics as well as discipline and practice. He has taught art at community colleges and has been the “artist in residence” in Warren County, Va. But teaching requires so much time and energy that he has again devoted his time to being a professional painter. In Chris Stephens’ work, the life is there because the energy is there. It is not about ego or a grasp for artistic immortality. He’s just telling a story about life one painting at a time. He tells the story very well. You can see and buy his work in December at the Long View Gallery at 1302 Ninth St. NW. Call 202-232-4788 or see www.longviewgallery.com. Jim Magner’s Thoughts on Art The success of the holiday season is generally measured by consumer spending – an obsession of our hard-charging material world. It should really be a season of ideas, of course – thoughts of the meaning of it all, but that notion is certainly considered quaint, and like a Christmas fruitcake, to be quietly ignored. As a child, Christmas was a time of visual ideas: the paintings and pictures of simple places, humble people and serene, undisturbed nature. In a word, art. Art is still a saving grace in a time that needs considerably more grace – both spiritually and behaviorally. Happily, there is plenty of great art and special exhibits in the local museums at the moment, and there are very good shows at the private art galleries all over the area. Add to that the hundreds of individual artists who sell at open-air locations such as the Eastern Market on Capitol Hill and in the street fairs in the various neighborhoods. So if you find yourself in need of a protective cove – a tranquil place out of the vicious currents of holiday shopping, slide your mind into a visual eddy, and let it float for a while. Remember also, that art has economic as well as subjective value. It is hard to find a better gift that allows you to share a visual idea … and genuine emotion. Have a great holiday season … give art. At the Museums Impressionists by the Sea The Phillips Collection 1600 21st St. NW To Jan. 13 We love these paintings, not just because they are superbly painted, but because they are deep-down pleasing. This is the way life should be – just you and me by the beautiful sea. And maybe a few well-chosen friends. It’s an ideal world free of mess and bad smells, with soft breezes off the azure waters under lovely cerulean skies. It is the mid 1800s, and tracks are being laid from Paris to the shores of the English Channel. The railroads bring tourists, and painters, who transform the rough villages of sailors and fishermen to upscale playgrounds for the city swells – the social worthies of Paris with their grand dresses and parasols, suits, derbies and walking sticks. Isabey, Corot, Courbet, Monet, Cassat, Whistler, Renoir and others, capture this transition. There are still a few working folks around, but even they are idealized: beautiful and happy. With the tourist came the graceful sailboat with elegant forms that reflect the subtle offshore lights and shades. These are not working boats. They are aloof, self-aware swans gliding over the waters of the good life – mysterious in their world apart from the laborers. And a painter’s dream. And what painter of romance doesn’t love water, as difficult as it may be technically. This water flows and ebbs, reflecting an eternity of calm … yet moody at times and a trifle rough to remind you that nature rules. Not all of these paintings are technically Impressionist, but who cares? They are unfailingly pleasant and a warm delight on a nippy winter’s day. www.phillipscollection.org. Annie Leibovitz Corcoran Gallery of Art 500 17th St. NW To Jan. 13 “A Photographer's Life, 1990–2005” includes more than 200 photographs encompassing Leibovitz’s well-known celebrity work as well as personal photographs of her family and friends. These are the significant people and events of recent times, along with the people who were significant in her life. www.Corcoran.org. National Gallery of Art Constitution Avenue between Third and Seventh streets NW The two not-to-be-missed shows of the holidays continue though December. JMW Turner is up until Jan. 6, and Edward Hopper goes to Jan 21. www.nga.gov. At the Galleries Wrap-It-Up Capitol Hill Art League 545 Seventh St. SE Dec. 8-21 The CHAL holiday fun time is back featuring smallish works of art at merry prices. Buy the art off the walls, have it gift-wrapped and take it home. Opening reception: Dec. 8, 5-8 p.m. 202-547-6839, www.chaw.org. Small Treasures American Painting Fine Art 5118 MacArthur Blvd. NW Dec. 1-30 The annual sale of small paintings, prints and mixed media covers the whole range of subjects in the diverse styles of the 13 accomplished and well-known area artists. There is something for everyone here. Opening reception: Dec. 1, 5-7 p.m. 202-244-3244, www.classicamericanpainting.com. All Media Show Touchstone Gallery 406 Seventh St. NW, Second floor To Jan. 5 The annual holiday juried show of art and fine craft begins Dec. 12. Opening reception: Dec. 14, 6-8:30 p.m.. 202-347-2787, www.touchstonegallery.com. Low Country Art of South Carolina Zenith Gallery 413 Seventh St. NW To Dec. 30 Works depicting the Gullah culture of the South Carolina low country are at the heart of this show of paintings, batik, collage, sweetgrass baskets and glass, by nine artists who were raised in African cultural traditions. 202-783-2963, www.zenithgallery.com. Martha Phillips Prudential Carruthers Realtors Capitol Hill 216 Seventh St. SE Dec. 7- Jan. 18 Martha Phillips’ non-traditional works on paper include sea and landscapes and “people in their environment.” Opening reception: Dec.7, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Ann Crain Harmony Hall Regional Center Fort Washington, Md. To Dec. 15 Ann Crain uses strong color and texture to create a mood with these new works. 302-203-6070 William T. Wiley Marsha Mateyka Gallery 2012 R St. NW To Dec. 22 “Choosing Things over Time” marks Wiley’s 10th solo exhibition at the gallery. He combines imagery with abstraction, and social comment often seeps in to define the message. 202-328-0088, www.marshamateykagallery.com. Jim Magner is a Capitol Hill artist and writer. He can be reached at ArtandtheCity05@aol.com.