For our August exhibition, we have gathered the work of four renowned painters — Raymond Burns, Howard Eberle, Damon Pla, and Steve Rogers — who depict realism with illuminating details. Together, the artists of “Precision and Perspective,” which is on display from August 1st to the 23rd, show a deep understanding of complex compositions and depth of field. They stick to observational renderings and ground their images in the science and mathematics of art. They all share a love for texture, detail, light, and shadow, transposing these skills onto their unique subject matter. 

 

    Washington D.C. area oil painter Raymond Burns has been exploring active railyards, railroad museums, and abandoned railroad lines in search of “good rust” for the last few years. Ray’s recent series depicts railroad equipment, engines, cabooses, boxcars, and railroad structures in various states of use and decay. These paintings, some of which are on display in “Precision and Perspective,” focus on details of the equipment alone and in the context of their environments. To the casual viewer, the display of utilitarian machines may seem unattractive, but Burns hopes to elevate the subject matter to allow the viewer an opportunity to explore the arrangement of shapes, colors, light, and textures to ultimately discover the beauty and character that exists within them. Alongside his train paintings, Ray also features tranquil landscapes and urban architecture. 

 

    Howard Eberle is a self-taught artist and has been painting in transparent watercolor since 1973. He started painting professionally in 1990 after a career in retail display. He describes his style as “abstract realism” and considers himself a portrait painter of objects, being drawn to simple, weathered subjects ravaged by time. Eberle’s process begins by finding interest in what others often overlook — the texture of peeled paint on an old, dry-docked boat, a dramatic shadow created by the hinge of a shutter. In his transparent watercolors, Howard crops an object to focus on its worn qualities. Rugged wood, chipped buoys, corroded machinery, a tattered flag, and an angry sea are brought to life through Eberle’s paintbrush. 

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    Born and raised in South Florida, Damon Pla discovered his artistic calling at a young age. His exceptional drawing and painting skills, cultivated through high school portfolio classes, swiftly led to a career in commercial and private commissions upon graduation. For a decade, he undertook ambitious projects across Florida and neighboring regions, showcasing his largely self-taught talent. Seeking new inspiration, Damon relocated to Delaware, eager to explore its unique landscape and seasonal atmosphere. Today, Damon dedicates himself full-time to crafting timeless murals, expansive paintings, and limited edition reproductions for his devoted collectors. He and his wife Dana, along with their daughters, Maya and Zoey, call Dagsboro, DE, home.

 

    Steve Rogers is an artist whose evocative work captures the enduring beauty of maritime life. Fueled by a lifelong admiration for the ocean and its surrounding culture, Steve paints working water vessels and fishermen's equipment. His boats are not pampered fiberglass yachts, but rather hard-bitten and overworked skiffs, steamers, and sailboats. His paintings capture the toughness and durability of everyday working boats and the beauty and terror of the weather in which they work. Steve’s depictions are incredibly accurate, down to the materials and construction of each particular type of vessel. His palette is rich with natural tones of ochre, umber, and rust.