SOLO FLOWERS – New Artwork by Gary Perrone
Divine Rose • Acrylic on canvas • 9” X 13” (22.86 X 33.02 cm) 2024
Soul Search • Acrylic on canvas • 9” X 13” (22.86 X 33.02 cm) 2024
Pastors Aster • Acrylic on canvas • 9” X 13” (22.86 X 33.02 cm) 2024
Pious Iris • Acrylic on canvas • 9” X 13” (22.86 X 33.02 cm) 2024
Metamorphosis • Acrylic on canvas • 30” X 40” (76.2 X 101.6 cm) • 2023
Transformation, faith and perseverance. These are some of the attributes I wanted this painting to embody. I came upon a butterfly like this on a bicycle trek along a county road in rural east Texas. Apparently injured and unable to fly, I brought it back to my studio and as I studied it I was drawn not only to its graphic beauty but also the spectacular nature of its very existence. Its complexity astounded me and I was reminded the earlier phase of its life was as a caterpillar whose only purpose was to nourish itself for its instinctive metamorphosis. While I marveled at its coloration I felt a kind of sorrow because of its helplessness. This painting is an effort of time and control, of faith and questioning. Please read my essay “Metamorphosis” under the heading “BLOG.”
Gravel • Acrylic on canvas • 30” X 40” (76.2 X 101.6 cm) • 2022
As I have mentioned before, my partner and I share a passion for cycling. Not professionally, competitively or anything like that. We ride a couple miles, out of the city limits and spend a few hours just touring typically quiet roads in the country. I make many observations during my rides and the places we go have become familiar. One time I took notice of the shadows being cast across the road of bare trees that lined our route. The pavement was old and I could make out different colored shapes of exposed gravel as I sped through the shady passage.
The image stayed with me and I did some watercolor studies to make the idea more tangible. The county fair was coming up and I thought it would be worthwhile to enter an artwork, but one with local relevance. Apparently the people around here can relate to this piece as it won two 1st place awards.
Time • Acrylic on canvas • 46” X 46” (116.84 X 116.84 cm) • 2022
It is very hard to describe this painting or what motivated me to spend five months on it. What I can say is it gave no time to think. The process was so intense that the moment I gave in to my thoughts I screwed up. I would equate the process more to a tapestry or mandala in which the mind must be focused and detached from its ordinary noise.
Winter • Acrylic on Canvas • 30” X 36” (76.2 X 91.44 cm) • 2020
Inspired by a late afternoon in the Texas countryside. The bare branches and the colors in the western sky made me think of a stained glass window. I wanted to create a non-representational image like what I saw in my mind.
A Moment • Acrylic on Canvas • 26” X 40” (66.04 X 101.6 cm) • 2021
I was feeling particularly landlocked. There are lakes here and creeks everywhere. The sky is certainly big but the vistas consist of prairies, rolling pastures and forests. Nothing that can compare to the vast Atlantic Ocean and the beaches in Rhode Island. I pictured myself on a fall day sitting on a dune watching the waves roll in.
Genotype • Acrylic on Canvas • 46” X 46” (116.84 X 116.84 cm) • 2020
I was wondering what my genetic map might look like as a painting. This was the fourth piece in a series regarding the color spectrum. If I imagine a person as a pattern of colors this is what I see.
I’m Thinking • Acrylic on Canvas • 14” X 31” (35.56 X 78.74 cm) • 2021
Progression • Acrylic on Canvas • 44” X 32” (111.76 X 81.28 cm.) • 2019
The ideas I have for paintings are often inspired by my natural surroundings. When I did this piece I was exploring the color spectrum. One summer evening I witnessed a sunset and immediately conjured this idea. I thought it would be interesting to reduce my memory of the vista to a strict format of color in progressing and opposing values.
Profusion • Acrylic on Canvas • 54” X 38” (137.16 X 96.52 cm) • 2019
My partner and I take many bicycle rides around Titus County, TX and whatever the season, there is some view that catches my eye. Sometimes I stop and take photos but usually we keep riding and the thing that momentarily diverted my attention is gone. My memory of the field of wildflowers stuck with me for some reason and I painted this large picture based on that passing moment.
A 5” X 7” watercolor study I did a few weeks before starting on the larger acrylic version.
Continuum • Acrylic on Canvas • 24” X 24” (61 X 61 cm.) • 2020