Amy Koy at Home
These twelve oil paintings represent my response to models in class during the past year or so at the Art Students League.
About a year ago. I seemed to reach a new level in my ability to portray the model. I came closer to being able to paint forms that take up space, that have air around them. My quest is not over, of course.
The League employs consistently excellent models.
People have told me that I have a style. I think they are probably referring to the areas of thin color in my paintings. Recently I have thought that I paint this way due to years of struggling - paint costs money! An instructor I studied with last summer remarked that he sees oil painting as "pushing fat around". I think I need to not be afraid to use paint thickly!
Portrait of Jon Glass
I enjoyed painting this portrait of Jonathan Glass. He was a patient and cooperative model. Somehow, the area of the clothing wanted to remain "unfinished". When Jonathan was doing his first pen and ink portrait of me, we decided to go outside to a terrace in my apartment building, since it was a bright, sunny day. It was well into the afternoon and after Jon sketched for a few minutes, the sun would move behind the building, the light would change and we would have to move to another spot to find similar lighting. This went on for four or five moves; thus the title of our show.
I would like to express my gratitude to Jonathan for inviting me to participate in this show with him. I admire his art and his dedication to growing as an artist. I have enjoyed being part of the process of developing this show with him.
I would also like to thank the curators, Ruth Parson and Steve Harlow for their devoted work to make this show happen. It has been a pleasure and a learning experience to be involved in this project with them.
And I would like to thank everyone involved with Fountain Gallery, member artists, staff and volunteers for giving me the opportunity to share my work.
- Amy Koy