"Battery Low" and "Robert Frost" by Billy Fry

Billy Fry's pieces were my favorite of all the pieces in the gallery. Specifically, I liked his colorless potraits. These two paitings above were my very favorites.

These two pieces are similiar in that fact that the artist avoided the use of color. However, the first piece, "Low Battery", is painted in walnut ink, which is a lighter, sepia color. Also, the first painting doesn't show a lot of shading. In the second piece, "Robert Frost",ery obvious. This piece is also much darker due to the type of ink he chose to use. There isn't a lot of empty space in the second piece. The figure occupies most of the paper. The space that isn't consumed by the figure is shaded in. The second doesn't have as much depth as the first; the main focus of the second piece is the figure, which is large and in the very forefront of the piece. The sidewalk and trees in the first piece give the illusion of distance. Also, the objects in the background are smaller than the figure in the forefront, which shows distance. However, despite the differences, both figures in the two pieces share a similiar facial expression. From both pieces there is an underlying theme of isolation and separation.

I think I am drawn to Billy's pieces the most because of the message it puts across. Also, I like the fact that he doesn't use a lot of color. I love the simplicty. In both pieces he only focuses on one individual. It almost reminded me of Edward Hopper's pieces, espicially "Battery Low".

However, I really fell in love with the two pieces after hearing Billy explain the motivation behind them. He explained to us how the combination of his two majors, English and Art, played a huge whole in his artwork. IN his artist statement he described the meanings behind his art as "Constant dialogue between the two disciplines." In his statement he also claimed that he uses his art in order to tell a story. The main themes in his art are peace, isolation, and the rigors of modernity. The inspiration behind "Robert Frost" stemmed from an experience he had while sitting in on an art class. During his sit-in the students were asked to sketch a nude model. What interested him was how the teacher, rather than displaying a nude model standing motionless, set up an entire scene for the model. He titles the piece "Robert Frost" because while sketching the model he was reminded of a Simon and Garfunkel song (Dangling Conversations, I believe). In "Battery Low" he wanted to illustrate how today's society is completely dependent on technology. The figure in the painting is alone and holding a dead phone in his hands. He also explained that he tried the make the picture look old by using the sepia-colored walnut ink. He wanted the story to be new, but the actual picture to look old. He got the inspiration for this piece while drawing during a Shakespear class. While he was drawing the class was going over the play Henry V. He explained that he often mixes literary themes into his art. Also, he explained that sometimes he imagines a specific character and draws them according to what he believes the characteer would have looked like in real life. He also described his work as figurative.

Personally, I just loved all of his pieces. As an English major myself I can definately appreciate how he gains the motivation to create these pieces. I also enjoy them on an aesthetic level, especially the facial features of the figures in the pieces. I'm really glad I got the chance to see these pieces, as well as hear the actual artist's perspective.