Older Painting, New Inspiration

As an artist, finding inspiration is not always easy. I have had the privilege of watching West Fraser create his artwork for my entire life–a privilege I do not take lightly. It never ceases to amaze me what West can create from a blank canvas. There are times when I have watched a painting slowly come to life over several weeks, and other times when it seems that the painting sprang to life over night. These scenarios represent the challenges of inspiration.

The Gibbes Museum–West Fraser’s 3rd One Man Show Opens Saturday

West enjoying himself in Costa Rica

The past year has been full of extraordinary happenings for West Fraser and West Fraser Studio

“Sunlight” as seen on the cover of Painting the Southern Coast

In July of 2016 ‘Painting the Southern Coast: The Art of West Fraser’ was published by The University of South Carolina Press. By October, the first printing had sold out. Extraordinary.

Soaring Wings | 54 x 72 inches | Oil on linen

In September of 2016 the Montage Hotel at Palmetto Bluff opened; the hotel houses one of the largest single collections of West Fraser paintings around. When you walk into the lobby of the hotel and look over to the reception desk, you can see the largest painting West has ever completed. ‘Soaring Wings’ was commissioned to be the centerpiece of the collection and is an absolutely stunning piece of work. This too is extraordinary.

This week, January 28, 2017, the Gibbes opens ‘Painting the Southern Coast,’ a collection of paintings reflecting the book as well as many paintings that represent Mr. Fraser’s mature painting style. This will be West’s third one-man show at the Gibbes, his first was in 1986 (when it was still the Gibbes Gallery of Art), and he was the youngest artist to have a one-man show.

Tuscan Hill Towns | 22 x 46 inches | Oil on linen

He now has another first, this will be the first show of a single living artist since the museum re-opened in May of last year. And as director Angela Mack said, it better be good. We at West Fraser Studio and Helena Fox Fine Art think it’s better than good, we think it’s extraordinary.

If you are a member of the museum, please join us on Friday evening at 7pm for a preview of the show.

Please stay tuned to our website, Facebook page (West Fraser Studio), Instagram (@westfraserstudio) and email (info@westfraserstudio.com) for information about West’s guided tours of the exhibit happening throughout the run of the show.

Thank you to Adam Parker and The Post and Courier for a well written article about both West Fraser’s and Jacob Lawrence’s exhibit at The Gibbes Museum.

Read the Article here.

What Is A Chicken Bog Anyways?

We all know that rice was grown in the lowcountry during the colonial era. There are reminders everywhere of our by-gone rice culture. But have you ever thought about what happened to these fields after they stopped growing rice? Many of them were sold to wealthy northerners for hunting plantations. Evidently the rice fields became a wonderful home for ducks.

The Manuscript Is Sent!

The manuscript for my second book has gone to the publisher, the University of South Carolina Press! The book is titled, Painting the Southern Coast: The Art of West Fraser.

I have completed my new book!

Helena and I enjoyed a memorable holiday in the tropics for Christmas and New Years, and upon my return my first priority was to complete the paintings and submit all of the material to my publisher. The book, which I have tentatively titled, Painting the Southern Coast; The Art of West Fraser, will be released in June of 2016, by The University of South Carolina Press.

A Date is Set, June 2016!

I finally have a publication date for my new book! It will be available for the spring/summer cycle and in the warehouse from overseas printing by June 2016.