Capturing the soul
The latest exhibition at Borelli-Edwards Art Gallery in the North Hills offers an art history lesson of sorts. With works ranging in styles similar to that of the Dutch and Italian masters to that of the French Impressionists -- even that of the 20th-century's social realists and abstract expressionists -- the 44 works on view are notable for, above all else, one thing: They were all painted by R. Jean Vallieres.
"I think what is really amazing about his work is that he has gone through the history art and painted in almost every style that there is to establish that he can paint," gallery owner Joy Edwards says of Vallieres.
What might be even more amazing is that all of the works were created over the past four years. Vallieres, a native New Englander originally from Woonsocket, R.I., has painted ever since he retired from a 26-year career in the high-tech industry working in senior consultative and management posts with such companies as Wang Laboratories, The Travelers Corp. and Digital Equipment Corp.
Now the McCandless resident spends nearly every day painting, and it shows. Most notably in his portraits, which capture what he says is "the soul" of each subject.
"To capture the soul is the most difficult thing in art to do," Vallieres says. "To do that you have to see inside the subject. You have to essentially try to become part of what you are trying to capture."
That's obvious in works such as "Itinerant Worker" and "Southeastern Farmer," which not only tell stories of hardship through each subject's bedraggled expressions, but the expressive, somber palette with which Vallieres has chosen to paint each of them.
Vallieres' portrait of "Theresa Simone," is even more delicately expressive. The reason is that Vallieres knew the subject more intimately than most. She is the artist's mother, who passed away two years ago. Here, Vallieres captures her as she appeared in a photograph at the age of 14 -- again with an expressive palette and vibrant expression that here conveys all the wonder and hope of youth.
Visitors the least bit cognizant of the history of 20th-century photography will no doubt recognize the subjects in "Tribute to Dorothea Lange I and II." Each is a successful attempt by Vallieres to translate Dorothea Lange's (1895-1965) classic photograph "Migrant Mother" into evocative color that is no doubt in keeping with Lange's original intent.
Like in those works, Vallieres is not shy about revealing his influences. Three paintings of Dutch girls painted in the style of Johannes Vermeer (1632-75) all were inspired by Vallieres's viewing of the film "Girl with the Pearl Earring."
"I worked off of a television set while on my stomach," Vallieres says about creating preparatory studies for the paintings. "I was so taken aback (by the movie) that I turned the TV on, put the video on hold, laid down on my tummy, took my sketch pad and sketched away."
Other works reflect a few more of Vallieres' influences, which he says range from Giovanni Bellini (1430-1516), of which a couple of religious-themed works can attest, to Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1841-1919), for which a few Impressionist style works show influence.
Even the influence of local artists both Samuel Rosenberg (1896-1972) and Aaron Henry Gorson (1872-1933) can be seen in several steel mill scenes that look as if fresh from the first half of the last century.
"Upon reflection, I find it odd to think that every great painter in many ways created great works through the inspiration of painters that preceded him," Vallieres says. "If this is indeed true, then we are all apprentices of those who precede us, and we all have reason to hope that new and continuously inspiring works of art will appear for centuries to come."
Given all of these various inspirations, it is still possible to find Vallieres' own voice among these works. Especially amongst the many landscape paintings on display in which the painter's own true hand can be found, such as in "Winter's Gif"" and "Timeless Mist I and II."
Even the painter himself can admit to that. "I think this will stand the test of time"" Vallieres says while standing in front of "Timeless Mist I," which is based on a photograph he took at McConnell's Mills. "I think it's evocative of the mood that we all see when we spend a little time alone in the forest. We see a mist, we experience stillness, and I think it does that."
Looking back on both of his careers, old and new, Vallieres doesn't miss the high-tech world that he left behind and is happy to be spending his days painting full time.
"For all that they gave me," Vallieres says of the companies he has worked for, some of which no longer exist, "my canvasses will outlive all of them." Additional Information:
Details
'R. Jean Vallieres'
What: Recent oil paintings.
When: Through Dec. 4. 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays.
Where: Borelli-Edwards Art Gallery, 8158 Perry Highway, McCandless.
Details: (412) 367-3877 or www.borelli-edwardsfineart.com .
