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Bruce Ricker - Seasons of Light
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For art to have visionary power, there must be a balance between fantasy and reality. Without the childlike playfulness of fantasy, realism on its own cannot transport us to the truly majestic - in art or in life.
Seasons of light, by Bruce Ricker, is a stunning example of the relationship between fantasy and reality. Somewhere between the reality of "this does exist" and the fantasy of "this could exist," lies a place such as this. Its beauty and power lie in the extremes this painting offers - the sky is both thunderous and clear, the colors are both vivid and muted, the mood is both lighthearted and serious. There is even a playful juxtaposition of seasons - whereas the red leaves of the tree and the golden hue of the bushes in the background suggest autumn, the wildflowers in the foreground suggest spring.
Ricker's painting technique is beyond compare - no detail is too small for his discerning eye, yet each tiny blade of grass blends to create soothing harmonies of color and light. He even has been known to "paint" with a razor's edge to achieve very fine lines, yet the overall effect he achieves is one of soft, natural beauty. The eye is first drawn to the crimson tree in the center, but eventually also finds the drama of the pines in the distance or the lichen on the rocks. "My work is an expression of what I feel about nature," he says, "that what generally meets the eye of the observer is only the facade of a more deeply intricate reality. It's the difference between a photo and a painting. The photograph reflects back what is on the surface, but the painter is allowed to interpret, a to seek what is under that surface, to give the viewer something more to ponder."
Seasons of Light portrays the changing splendor of the natural world, with a touch of fantasy that makes the reality that much more beautiful.
Season of Light is printed on gesso board, a first for Bruce Ricker's limited edition prints. Gesso (pronounced "jess-o) is a priming substance that, when applied to a material before painting begins, results in a bright white, textureless surface. It is a substrate upon which Ricker chooses to paint many of his original paintings, as it is an ideal surface for him to achieve the brilliant, smooth color transitions upon which he create his art. The "Seasons of Light" print has been created upon this same surface to more closely interpret the look and feel of the original piece.
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