Hilliard Gallery in Kansas City, Missouri is hosting a national Small Works exhibition, which opens two weeks from today, First Friday December 6th.
I will have two works available for purchase in this show, and I hope you will attend the First Friday opening from 6-9pm at the gallery. Please consider beginning or adding to your fine art collection this Christmas season! Both of my paintings are available for $1000 each, measuring at 9x12" excluding frame dimensions.
The first work available, Contemplating Heaven (pictured above) is a small portrait painted in 2018, and received the 2nd Place Best of Show award in the 2019 Blue Springs Fine Art Show.
My second work is a new 2019 landscape piece Uprooted. You can see video footage of me painting this piece on my YouTube channel in a short series of videos "New Works for May".
This show will be this painting's debut showing. I hope you will check it out if you are in the Kansas City area. Here is a look at the finished piece:
Uprooted oil on linen 9x12" Available at Hilliard Gallery, December 6 - January 25
Again, please be sure to check out the show at Hilliard Gallery beginning December 6th. It is located at 1820 McGee St. in the Crossroads district in Kansas City, Missouri, between 18th and 19th St.
If you are not in the Kansas City area, but are interested in either of these two paintings, please contact Hilliard Gallery at (816) 561-2956, or email at info@hilliardgallery.com
Hello friends! Voting for the State of the Arts People's Choice has begun, and I could really use your help! Please visit https://vote.artspv.org and scroll down to find and click on my painting The Old Made New. From there, enter your email and click "Vote" at the bottom.
**You may vote more than once if you have more than one valid email address. After your vote, exit the tab and revisit the link again to enter another email address and vote again. The State of the Arts exhibition is now open at R.G. Endres Gallery located in the municipal building at 7700 Mission Rd. in Prairie Village, KS. Regular hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm. The awards reception will be held on Friday, October 11th from 6:00-8:00pm. Voting for People's Choice ends October 11th at 7:00pm. Thanks so much, and please Share this with others!
The 2019 State of the Arts exhibition in Prairie Village, Kansas opens September 30th at R.G. Endres Gallery, located at the municipal building at 7700 Mission Road in Prairie Village. My painting The Old Made New has been accepted for this year's show.
For those interested, again the show opens September 30th and runs through November 1st. The awards reception will be held Friday, October 11th from 6:00 - 8:00pm. There will also be a People's Choice award presented, and voting opens on September 30th and ends October 11th at 7:00pm. Details for People's Choice voting will be posted here soon.
The gallery is open at regular hours Monday - Friday from 8:00am - 5:00pm.
Consider this my invitation to you all in the Kansas City area to join me for the reception on October 11th. Hope to see you there!
Sunday, September 15th marked the opening of the exhibition Look Me in the Eye: Portraits of Kansas City, a very eclectic collection of 65 portraits of various media by 65 Kansas City-based artists, including yours truly. The exhibition was co-curated by Mike Lyon and Elisabeth Kirsch.
My latest Self Portrait 2019 is showing at this exhibition, located at the Epsten Gallery at Village Shalom in Leawood, KS. The show runs now through November 29th, and is available for viewing during the gallery's regular hours. For more information, visit Epsten Gallery's website at http://epstengallery.org
Self Portrait 2019 oil on linen 10x8" $975, available at Epsten Gallery through November 29, 2019
Also available is the official exhibition catalog, featuring all 65 works with artist bios.
Catalogs are available for $20 through the gallery or on Amazon. Click HEREto purchase.
If you didn't make it to the opening reception, I hope you will be able to see the show for yourself. You do not want to miss it! More to come later, and if you haven't done so, please be sure to Like my Facebook pageand follow me on Instagramfor more news and updates on new work.
Hi friends! So I came up with a fun idea late last night. My birthday is coming up on September 7th, and so for this next week leading up to it, I thought I would offer seven of my original paintings each for $700 or under.
I am only offering them at these prices from September 1st through my birthday September 7th. I will be out of town from September 9-14. So if any of them sell, I won't be able to ship them out until after I get back. But that's good in case anyone needs/wants some extra time to pay for them.
Anyway, they are first come, first serve. All I need is a message sent to me at ryandelgadoart@gmail.com indicating which painting you would like. From there, I will send a PayPal invoice to you where you can pay directly with Paypal or credit card.
Without further ado, here are the 7 available original pieces at $700 or under:
Galilee
oil on canvas
10x20 inches
$600
Artist at Work
oil on linen
10x8 inches
$475
Covenant
oil on panel
20x10 inches
$650
Contemplating Heaven
oil on panel
12x9 inches
$700
Here is my latest YouTube video where I show you the process of framing a painting. I really think this is an important thing to for any painter to be able to do. It's really simple and does not take a whole lot of time. It's just a matter of having the right frame for your painting, a few basic hand tools, and a few small pieces of framing hardware. Check out the full process here:
Hello friends, I have a few shows to announce for August and September, and I hope you will be able to check them out. All of my work is available to purchase at the following shows.
Images Art Gallery 15th Annual Juried Exhibition, July 19 - August 10. The juried show at Images Art Gallery in Overland Park, Kansas is still in progress, and will be open until August 10th. I have two works showing - I Once Was Lost, which received an honorable mention at last year's State of the Arts exhibition in Prairie Village, and The Old Made New, making its debut in an exhibition.
I Once Was Lost oil on linen 20x24" 2018 $3500, Available at Images Art Gallery until August 10.
The Old Made New oil on linen 20x16" 2018 $2500, Available at Images Art Gallery until August 10.
Raytown Artists' Association Invitational, August 16-17. I will again be participating in the RAA show in Kansas City, Missouri. For those in the KC area, the show takes place on Friday and Saturday, August 16-17 at St. Paul's Church of the Nazarene in Kansas City, MO, located at 8500 E. 80th Terr. Show hours for both days are from 9:30am - 5:30pm. This year, I will be showing this year's 3rd Place Portrait winner at Blue Springs, What is Unseen, as well as two paintings making their show debuts, Beside Still Waters and my landscape piece Sanctuary.
What is Unseen oil on linen 20x16" 2018 $2500, Available at RAA Invitational August 16-17.
Beside Still Waters oil on linen 20x16" 2019 $2500, Available at RAA Invitational August 16-17.
Sanctuary oil on linen 11x16" 2018 $1800, Available at RAA Invitational August 16-17.
Look Me In The Eye: Portraits of Kansas City, September 15 - November 29. I have a small self portrait that has been accepted for this exhibition at Epsten Gallery in Overland Park, Kansas. The show consist of exclusively fine art portraits by artists in the greater Kansas City metro area. The show opens to the public on September 15th and closes on November 29th. Regular gallery hours are Tuesday - Friday, 11:00am - 4:00pm, Sunday 1:00 - 4:00pm, or by appointment. The gallery is located at 5500 W. 123rd St. in Overland Park, Kansas. http://epstengallery.org
Self Portrait 2019 oil on linen, mounted on panel 10x8" 2019 $975, Available at Epsten Gallery September 15 - November 29.
Every now and again, I have to remind myself why I do what I do. Being a fine artist is not for the faint of heart. There is nothing easy about it. And whether other artists will admit it or not, I will... we are competitive. And probably the one with whom we are the most competitive is ourselves. With every painting I do, I am working to be a more excellent version of myself than before.
But why am I doing this? I believe that God gifted me with a love for fine art. This is who He made me to be. Every painting I do belongs to the Lord, and I fully depend on Him to provide for me through them. My hope is to use this medium for something good. I hope people see beauty in them. I hope they see goodness. I hope they see the Gospel. That is my mission as a fine artist.
My latest work is exactly what I try to do with each painting, though admittedly it doesn't always work this way. It was a painting that had its conception in my head - a mental vision of exactly what I wanted the painting to look like before I even had a physical sketch completed. I knew what this painting would look like because I had it in my mind first.
Then I put it down on paper:
It seemed like such a simple image, and it was. That was my intention. Nothing busy. No bold colors or dynamic poses. Just a simple figure in prayer with a quiet, atmospheric background almost as though she was emerging from a cloud. She wouldn't take up a lot of space in the picture plane. She would almost seem kind of small to signify humility. This is to be a contemplative painting about complete, committed devotion to the Lord. I even had the painting titled before I began on the canvas. It would be named after my favorite hymn about this very subject, Be Thou My Vision. I also sought inspiration from Scripture, and there is a passage in Psalm 26 that says,
Test me, Lord, and try me; examine my heart and mind. For Your faithful love is before my eyes, and I live by Your truth (26: 2-3).
What could be a bolder expression of committed devotion and faith than to actually ask God to test us and examine our hearts?
I don't know what the future holds for this painting, but my hope, as with all my paintings, is to sell it. Depending on your perspective, there are any number of names for someone who buys your work. Some call them customers, some call them clients. Others may refer to them as collectors or patrons. To me, they are guardians. Like I said, these paintings belong to my Lord, and He provides for me through them. I'm simply placing them in someone else's hands for the time being. Hopefully in time, as these paintings may outlive their current guardians, they'll be passed down to a new generation of guardians. And to whomever possesses this one, and wherever they may hang it - in their home, bedroom, study, or church - I hope this piece may serve as an aid to their devotion and prayer.
Be Thou My Vision (Psalm 26: 2-3)
oil on linen
24x18"
2019
Hello friends, here is the latest from the studio:
Friday, July 19th kicks off the 15th Annual Images Art Gallery Juried Exhibition in Overland Park, Kansas, and I'd like to extend my invitation to all in the area to attend the opening reception from 6-9pm at the gallery, located at 7320 W. 80th St. in Overland Park. I have two works available: I Once Was Lost and The Old Made New. The show runs until August 10th.
I Once Was Lost 20x24"
The Old Made New 20x16"
I have finished quite a few new works since my last post (sorry for the month of June hiatus). Here are the latest finished pieces, all available. Please inquire at ryandelgadoart@gmail.com if you are interested in purchasing.
Uprooted oil on linen, mounted on panel 9x12"
Dead Man Walking oil on linen 24x18"
Self Portrait 2019 oil on linen, mounted on panel 10x8"
Captivated oil on linen 20x16"
Symphony of Red oil on linen 24x18"
Coming up in August, I intend once again on participating in the Raytown Artists' Association Invitational Show in Raytown, Missouri. I say I "intend to" only because I have not yet submitted my entries, but I will be soon. The Raytown show takes place on August 16th-17th at St. Paul's Church of the Nazarene, 8500 E. 80th Terr. in Kansas City, Missouri.
I have also entered a show called "Look Me in the Eye: Portraits of Kansas City", taking place at Epsten Gallery in Leawood, Kansas. I will be notified on August 1st if my work has been accepted, and will be updating you all soon. Please stay tuned!
Also, be on the lookout later for word on this year's State of the Arts Exhibition in Prairie Village, Kansas. I am currently working on a painting that I plan to enter. I still have some time, as the deadline is the first week of September. I have done State of the Arts twice, and hoping to make it again this year.
That is all the latest for now. More updates regarding shows and new work to come.
Just in time for the last day of May, here is the last part of the landscape piece I was working on this month, as well as a few other new works in progress going into the start of summer. Enjoy!
Hello friends, here is the latest from the studio:
The National Oil and Acrylic Painters' Society Best of America Small Works Exhibition came to a close last month, and to my surprise, my little painting A Mist in the Air sold. I actually didn't find out about it until I received my shipping box back from RS Hanna Gallery a few days after the close of the show - only to discover it was empty! Definitely a pleasant surprise as I looked it up on the gallery's website to see that beautiful four-letter word SOLD on my piece.
Speaking of NOAPS, the deadline for the Best of America national exhibition is already quickly approaching, as is the annual Images Gallery Juried Exhibition, so I am beginning to narrow down my selections for both shows. More updates on those shows to come later...
The annual Contemporary Figurative Exhibition at Hilliard Gallery is still going until the end of May. There you can see my two works See and The Sleeper. Hilliard Gallery is located on McGee St. between 18th and 19th in the Crossroads in downtown KC.
I have recently completed two paintings. The first one is inspired by one of my favorite songs by Disciple called Wait. The painting's title is For Your Hand to Take Me Away, taken from the lyric from the song, "Here I am, here I wait, for your hand to take me away..." The song itself is about the end days and the return of Christ, and a longing for that moment.
For Your Hand to Take Me Away
oil on linen
24x14"
2019
My most recent piece is a simple serene portrait called Beside Still Waters, inspired by Psalm 23. The subdued color coupled with a quiet atmosphere take me back to some of my earlier paintings from 5 or 6 years ago.
Beside Still Waters
oil on linen
16x20"
2019
I have a few new works in progress now, and I am filming their progress for a new short series of YouTube vlogs this month. The first of these vlogs is completed and posted on my channel. Check it out here:
Thanks again for stopping by the studio! As always, please stay tuned for more to come soon!
Hello friends and happy spring. Here is the latest from the studio:
It's been almost a year since I last had any work down in the Crossroads in KC, but this Friday I am making a return for the 12th Annual Contemporary Figurative Exhibition taking place at Hilliard Gallery. I actually discovered this show last year, but it was too late for me to enter it. So I vowed I would be in it this year. Sure enough, I have two pieces in the show, which runs from First Friday, April 5th until May 31st. The two pieces I have in the show are The Sleeper and See.
See oil on canvas 30x24"
The Sleeper oil on canvas 14x20"
The Blue Springs Fine Art Show was yet another good success for my work. What is Unseen received the 3rd place portrait award, while Contemplating Heaven received the 2nd Best of Show award and was displayed at the local Blue Springs north branch of the Mid Continent Library through the end of March.
I recently finished a commissioned portrait, and now I have new work in progress, and will be working all through spring and summer to get more new pieces finished in time for the next NOAPS deadline for the Best of America exhibition in the fall. I am hoping for good things this time. I am taking my acceptance into the small works show as a good thing, but there are no guarantees, of course. In addition, I am planning on much more plein air practice as the weather gets warmer. This has been a long time coming, and I'm looking forward to a brand new challenge that will get me beyond the walls of my studio, and hopefully give me new and exciting opportunities as a painter. While I have done plein air painting plenty of times before, it has never been a strength or a consistent practice for me. Hopefully that will change.
Here is a peek at my latest work in progress, to be titled For Your Hand to Take Me Away.
I am also looking forward to recording some new videos for YouTube soon, including a look at this new painting and others to come. Stay tuned for more!
A few weeks ago, I finished up a new landscape piece (see previous blog post for the finished painting). It took me a while, but I finished editing the video for that painting, and it is now posted to YouTube.
This vlog is basically a short compilation of clips chronicling the painting from start to finish. Hope you enjoy, and as always stay tuned for more.
In spite of the horrendously bitter winter we've had here, the work must go on. So here's what's been going on:
Actually, for the most part you've already been seeing what has been going on. With my latest series of YouTube vlogs, I showed you all the first two works of 2019, which are now completed. I moved on from there to complete a new wintery landscape painting. The thing is, I have footage of it recorded, but I have yet to edit it and put the video together. I will likely piece together the footage of the whole process into one video, but it will take some time. Meanwhile, here's a look at the finished painting, which I am happy to say has already sold right off the easel (a first for me!)
Serenata de Invierno (Winter Serenade) oil on linen 18x24"
The National Oil and Acrylic Painters' Society Best of America Small Works exhibition is happening as I type this. Obviously I am not there, but I do have a painting in this show. It is hosted by RS Hanna Gallery in Fredericksburg, Texas, and my painting A Mist in the Air will be available at the gallery until the close of the show on April 6, 2019. For all my local Texan friends out there, I hope you can see the show on behalf of me! You may also inquire about my painting here: http://rshannagallery.com/artist-item.php?itemId=5542122&title=A+Mist+In+The+Air&artistId=282604&artist=Ryan+Delgado&offset=0
I will also be showing at the Blue Springs Fine Art Show this weekend, March 2-3, at Vesper Hall in Blue Springs, MO. This is my 10th time doing the Blue Springs show. Unfortunately, the weather here in the KC area is once again looking pretty bad for Sunday the 3rd. So it's likely your best chance to catch the show is tomorrow, March 2nd. The show will be open from 10am-5pm. And for you brave souls venturing out on Sunday, the show will be open from 11am-4pm. I have two works showing - Contemplating Heaven and What is Unseen. Both are available for sale. Hope you can check them out this weekend!
Contemplating Heaven oil on panel 12x9"
What is Unseen oil on linen 20x16"
Aside from a portrait commission that I'll be starting next week, I am in between projects. But I am working on some studies, and looking in a slightly new direction for upcoming works. I'll be talking a little more about it in a later post, and in future YouTube vlogs. It boils down to trying to loosen up with some more alla prima-style works. Here are a couple of small studies I've completed recently:
The first two works of 2019 are finished, and so is their vlog series. Here is the final installment on the first works of the year. Often, I would say that one of my favorite parts of the painting process is putting the final touches down. Such was the case with these. They were both challenging, and I'm happy to say they are finished and I'm ready to move on to the next projects (one of which is already in progress).
Here is the video, and the finished works below:
Second Birth (John 3:5-7) oil on linen 24x18"
The Darkness is as Light (Psalm 139: 7-12) oil on linen 14x18"
The paintings are in the final stretch. Okay, full disclosure... the paintings are actually finished. But I haven't finished editing the video footage for the last installment yet. So you'll have to wait a little more to see the final products. But here is the latest vlog of the progression. Hope you enjoy!
The first two paintings of 2019 are coming along. Here is the latest vlog showing their progress. In the first segment I work on the grisaille for the larger portrait piece, and then in the second part I work up the first layer of color on the smaller figurative piece.
At this point, I've already finished the first color stage on the portrait, and I'm planning on making the next vlog documenting that and the second color layer as well. Hopefully the figurative piece will be finished with its next painting session. So stay tuned for more. Again, thanks for watching and subscribing to my channel!
The latest YouTube vlog is posted, and features the completion of the grisaille layer on one of my new works in progress. Here is the newest video:
Today I finished the grisaille on the second piece, and it was quite the uphill battle. The next vlog will feature that process. After painting so much gray, I am ready to get into color as soon as I can! Here is a first look at the finished grisaille for the second piece:
I can still see a few adjustments that need to be made and issues to resolve, but I will be able to make those adjustments as I move into the first color stage. At that point, I'll be able to do more refinement with edges, and additional work with values. As this grisaille dries, the values will go slightly darker, so I will have to brighten the lights as I work with color.
Until then, I hope you all are enjoying this process. And with the weather we've been having lately, it's been a perfect opportunity to spend time in the studio and to record it all for you. Stay tuned as we move into the first color stage next!
