Experience the grandeur of historic imagery painted by contemporary artists in our latest exhibition “Old World, New Perspective.” Embracing the style of classicism, five oil painters — Cecelia Cox, Austin Dwyer, Barbara Efchak, Barbara Nuss, and Marco G. Vera — showcase work inspired by real-life observations, historical events, and unpolluted natural environments. The pieces exclude references to the modern day and technology, and, instead, ground themselves in scenes akin to 18th and 19th century living. 

 

     Cecelia Cox studied art briefly at the Atlanta College of Art but found the emphasis on commercial and conceptual art wanting. A year living in Brussels, with visits to many of the major European museums, had a much greater impact on her growth as an artist. In 2006, Cecelia was invited to join a talented group of local artists who met regularly at the studio of Scott Burdick and Susan Lyon to draw and paint from the figure. A workshop with Sherri McGraw in 2010 inspired her to focus on still life. Cecelia is one of two still life painters featured in this exhibition. From pewter jugs to delicate china, all of her images feature impeccable tableware accompanied by complimentary objects like flowers, eggs, lemons, and seashells. 

 

     Austin Dwyer was born in Tipperary, Ireland, and ventured to America in 1957. Following discharge from the USAF, he graduated with an art degree from the Burnley School of Professional Art in Seattle and was accepted to serve on the faculty. Besides being an artist and teacher, Austin is a published author and musician, having graduated from the Municipal School of Music in Dublin. Austin’s paintings include majestic boats sailing on the unpredictable ocean waves. His depiction of these historically accurate ships captures the stately nature of colonial-style vessels, placing them in scenes of powerful domination, as well as dangerous stormy seas.

 

     Barbara Efchak has had a life-long journey with the arts, practicing both visual and musical art. Her pursuit of a more classical approach to realism led her to Grand Central Atelier in New York in 2013, studying with accomplished portrait artist Greg Mortensen. She is influenced by both the Italian Renaissance and the Dutch Golden Age. Another still life artist, Barbara’s scenes are dominated by images of food. She presents her vibrant bounty with beauty and regality, elevating the simple subjects to something much more extraordinary.

 

     Barbara Nuss credits her artistic development to her B.F.A. from Syracuse University, the Schuler School of Fine Arts in Baltimore, her experience as a graphic artist and illustrator, various workshop instructors, and her inquisitive students. By painting landscapes directly from nature and still lifes from studio arrangements, she learned the nuances of light and color on every imaginable subject. She has published a book of her landscape compositions, titled Secrets to Composition. Barbara’s classical images include vast landscapes untouched by man’s hand, as well as picturesque snapshots of old European streets. Her pieces have a fairytale quality to them, giving the sense that an elegant princess or a wicked witch from an old German fable is hiding just around the corner. 

 

     As an artist, Marco G. Vera never received formal training but manifested artistic talent from a very young age. Having initially demonstrated mastery in pencil drawing, Vera, at 16 years of age, first began painting landscapes in acrylics. By the age of 20, he went on to paint in oils, and, after having been formally introduced to 19th century American landscape painting by his college professor Kevin Avery, he began to develop a strong interest in following the footsteps of the great American landscape painters of the past. Like Nuss, Marco also paints landscapes, but his scenes show the collaboration between man and nature. His images feature bird’s-eye view looks at people sailing on bays and rivers and hiking vast mountain ranges.