Ray Prohaska painting of a waterman, “Floats and Markers,” Oil on Canvas, 1964
My painting of morning light at the “Skinniest Beach House at Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. Oil on Canvas by Bob Kirchman
I didn’t realize when I was painting the beach house as a class demonstration, but as I painted from memory my impression of the first light of morning, sipping my morning coffee, my palate borrowed heavily from that of my old Master, who so loved morning on the shore.
I have been an artist for multiple decades now, and I was trained in a period when traditional methods were fallen out of favor. Expressionism sort of ruled the academy. Prohaska never showed us his brilliant illustration work.
When he said to me, “Go out and WORK,” I discovered the Joy of Howard Pyle’s “Paint REAL things!” As I pursued architectural rendering. Thankfully the beauty of traditional methods has been remembered.
But here I must offer a cautionary reminder — Andrew Wyeth and Andy Warhol were friends. Though the media loved to call one archaic and the other ‘cutting edge,’ their creative spirits actually nurtured one another. Art, like the people we cherish and think of as family, actually contains a rich and diverse range of wonder.
My old teacher displayed that richness in the full body of his own work. Think, if you will, of early Picasso, early Vincent. It took me years to find my stride in some parts of my own work. I’m still working on it.
I love traditional architecture, and yet I love well executed modernism too. Our studio’s ARDA award is for a clearly mid-century modernist building. It was the building the client and the site quietly called for.
Am I free to love Jefferson’s university campus and the Salk Institute? I think so. Both express something in the human experience.
A New Home for Risen Ridge Ministry
Jesus, Horses, Healing! Risen Ridge Ministry will be moving this Spring to this beautiful farm near Stuart’s Draft, Virginia. Watch this Substack for more news and opportunities to get involved.
Risen Ridge Ministry began with Socks (aptly named) as our first horse in 2019. He’s no longer with us, but Eli, Desi, Maple and Chester continue in the work today.
Continuing in the mission “To provide a sanctuary, within God's creation, to foster new life,” Risen Ridge will be able to offer even more opportunities for people to experience the wonder of healing and horses in our new location.
Risen Ridge Ministry is a nonprofit organization in central Virginia that shares the love of Jesus Christ with people while learning about and spending time with horses. We are open to children (age 12 and up) and adults and groups.