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(408) 293-3564 | [email protected]
http://www.adballantyne.com
Represented by Gallery 24
24 N. Santa Cruz Avenue | Los Gatos, CA 95030
(408) 354 4530
http://www.lggallery24.fineartstudioonline.comAndrew Ballantyne
A
ndrew Ballantyne likens his
approach to oil painting to that
of a jazz musician’s interpretation of
a standard tune. The subjects of his
paintings are a starting point, but there
is always room for improvisation and
exciting new interpretations.
Ballantyne is always careful and faithful
to following the rules of drawing, linear
and atmospheric perspective, light
source and clear value structure, yet
he continually finds room for creative
improvisation, through enhanced
color, shape, design and the interesting
calligraphy of brushwork.Though many of his subjects may be
seen as nostalgic, or as having a timeless
quality, such as a grove of California
Oaks, Ballantyne views his subjects
through the modern lens and wants
his paintings to be the product of a
21 st-century artist. “To bring about a
modern sensibility, I try to find a balance
between faithful drawing, a strong sense
of design, heightened color and a loose,
spontaneous painterly style,” he says. “My
loose brushwork is most successful when
I have a thorough understanding of my
subject. A preliminary sketch is a must.”
Ballantyne finds that painting is muchmore exciting when there is a strong
sense of freedom and exploration in the
process. He explains, “I love it when I find
an accidental brushstroke that surpasses
my original intention.”Still-Life with Tangerines, oil on canvas, 18 x 18" La Rinconada Oak, oil on canvas, 16 x 16"Ready to Race, oil on Raymar canvas board, 11 x 14"