November First Friday featuring 2021 Gloucester Arts Festival Winners: Daniel Robbins and John Brandon Sills
November 4 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
November First Friday
featuring
2021 Gloucester Arts Festival Winners: Daniel Robbins and John Brandon Sills
Friday, November 4
6:00pm-8:00pm
Sponsored by Gail & Rick Griffin
During the month of November, Arts on Main will be showcasing works by the winners of the 2021 Gloucester Arts Festival Winners: Daniel Robbins and John Brandon Sills. The opening of the show will take place at First Friday on Friday, November 4 from 6:00pm-8:00pm. The show will remain in the gallery through Saturday, November 26.
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Daniel Robbins grew up in Virginia Beach, Virginia and always wanted to create art. During grades 4-8 he was enrolled in the Old Donation Center for the Gifted and Talented, and in high school he continued his study of art at the Governor’s School for the Arts. He moved to Richmond, VA to study in the Communication Arts department at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), which is ranked as one of the top art schools in the country. Among his many achievements, he was the winner of the 2021 Plein Air Easton competition.
John Brandon Sills received his BA In Fine Art at Towson State University in 1984, while a student at Towson State John studied Renaissance Art in Florence, Italy. John then attended the Schuler School of Fine Art in Baltimore, Maryland, graduating in 1988. His paintings are in numerous collections in the United States as well as collections in Canada, England, France, Jamaica, Grand Cayman B.W.I. and Australia.
John has won many awards including First place in the 2010 and 2012 Have De Grace Plein Air Competition. First place in the 2013 Paint Annapolis Plein Air Competition. Best Painting by a Maryland Artist Award in the prestigious Plein Air Easton Competition in 2010 and 2012, Artist’s Choice Award in 2011 and in 2014 John was the Plein Air Easton Grand Prize winner. In addition, John received the Award of Excellence in the 2014 Laguna Beach Plein Air Invitational. John was the 3rd place winner in the Plein Air Easton Competition. John paints nature in all its forms, choosing to emphasize those aspects that create an awareness of the environment.
John has won many awards including First place in the 2010 and 2012 Have De Grace Plein Air Competition. First place in the 2013 Paint Annapolis Plein Air Competition. Best Painting by a Maryland Artist Award in the prestigious Plein Air Easton Competition in 2010 and 2012, Artist’s Choice Award in 2011 and in 2014 John was the Plein Air Easton Grand Prize winner. In addition, John received the Award of Excellence in the 2014 Laguna Beach Plein Air Invitational. John was the 3rd place winner in the Plein Air Easton Competition. John paints nature in all its forms, choosing to emphasize those aspects that create an awareness of the environment.
“Art is a spiritual experience expressed.
This is the essence of all of my painting; everything I do is intended to demonstrate this concept. We speak of an artist’s inspiration; well inspiration comes from the Latin “inspititus” which means “in the spirit”. I am trying to communicate a spiritual experience through painting. Art is not a “thing”, rather it is an experience that is expressed, that is “pushed out” in the physical as painting, sculpture, poetry, film, music, etc., so painting is not “Art” it is an expression of “Art”.
My painting, the landscapes in particular, are my attempt to communicate to the viewer my perception of the world around me, which I see as an expression of Divinity. Landscape, not as creation of God, rather as manifestation of God, I paint the face of the eternal. What I wish my painting to do is assist the viewer is expanding their own conception of the spiritual to include truths that at first seem impossible. As an artist I use everyday images to ask the question “What is Reality”. I put forth the conception that what we see is the facade of Reality, that Truth is an internal experience outwardly expressed.
When someone sees my paintings, I would like them to take these concepts and try to apply them to their own experience, so that when they see a beautiful landscape themselves maybe they too will see the face of God.”
Live music will be provided by Micah Fox.
First Friday is on November 4 from 6:00pm-8:00pm. This event is free and open to the public. Beer and wine will be available for purchase.
Thank you to our First Friday Sponsors, Gail & Rick Griffin!
Arts on Main is proud to offer a wide variety of classes and workshops for both Children & Adults. Among these are Summer Camps for Kids, After School Enrichment Programs, Plein air workshops, Classes for oil/acrylic/pastels/watercolors/cold wax/drawing, Gallery Talks, Paint Nights, Weaving and Felting Classes, “Crit” Sessions, Open Studio, Glass Blowing and our much-touted First Friday Events each month to open our Monthly Exhibits! Check our website regularly for up to date offerings! If there is a class you would like us to offer, please call our Admin. Assistant, Blair Waters, and let her know. We appreciate all suggestions for new classes. Arts on Main complies with all current safety precautions regarding Covid-19.
