Artist of the Month July 2017

Geoffrey Harding

Newfane, NY

How and when did you start creating art?

Ive been painting since I was a child, my mother was also an artist.

What media and genres do you work in?

I work in Alkyd oils, and also now and then in graphite, pencils.

Who or what are your influences?

My mother was an artist and a great influence, also fellow artist friends John Buxton and Robert Griffing, who specialize in the 18th century Eastern Frontier.

What was your inspiration for A Quiet Reverence for Grandfather?

In the painting the hunter is about to take the deer but recognizes him as an elder. I wanted to convey a feeling of respect or reverence for the deer, and hope the viewer recognizes this, thus the name "A Quiet Reverence for Grandfather" Inspiration comes from years of respect for Native culture, and educating people of a now vanished way of life.

Describe your creative process?

My ideas come from within or from books that I read or researched. I draw out some thumb size pencil sketches and once the idea is established I search out models to pose, doing sketches and then photographs, I then draw the idea out on a sheet of manila paper the size of the linen canvas I'm going to use and then transfer it using graphite paper, I then carefully coat the entire canvas in Burnt umber careful not wipe out the graphite drawing, and then begin to paint.

What are you working on currently?

I'm working on a painting of a Native woman dressed in period clothing 18th century, I'm still working on a name for it.

What are your near/long term goals as an artist?

To one day paint full time, and continue to educate people about native culture.

Where can people view/purchase your work (gallery, website, etc)?

Right now I have my work displayed in a small gallery in Newfane, NY. But also have private showings in my studio, my work can also be viewed on face book under "Woodland Arts" right now I'm getting busy to do a show in Lewiston, NY. The Lewiston Art Festival takes place in August and is a great festival that's very artist friendly.