Rick Gedney - Hudson River Landscapes
Gedney’s paintings are inspired by the art of The Hudson River School and the natural beauty of the Hudson River Valley where he makes his home. These landscapes pay homage to the supernatural and historical significance of the area, imparting a dreamy reverence for the astounding beauty that surrounds us.
There are several themes running through this exhibit: place, time, light, and the natural world.In his work, Gedney appreciates the historical significance of where he is located in the Hudson Valley with a multi-layered study of space and perspective . What happened in this place, who lived here, and are we viewing the scene with the same eyes of past generations?
Building the story on the canvas, light plays an important role in conveying the feeling of the moment that is captured. Through the interplay of light and shadows, the sun is located, storms may be approaching, and reflections are captured in water and through glass. A painting such as Dockside 2012, is an excellent example. Two boats float gently rocking in the nearly still water, while a third boat is pulled up on the shore. The light coming from the west illuminates the landscape and the area near the beached boat softly glows. The shadows are deep but the contrast between light and shadow is not harsh. This is light that suggests a contemplative mood, a moment of reflection, it is light that you can almost breathe.
These works are focused on the natural world as the main character in the narrative, drawing the viewer into the scene of meditative and contemplative awe. Gedney, in an interview with Alison Rooney in 2019 mentioned his interest when looking at a landscape as searching for a moment; “It’s about seeing the beauty in that one little moment, when the wind has come down and the water ripples, and the sky is illuminated. It’s about being observant, waiting. I look for those kinds of moments. It’s not about painting a landscape for a view or a historic event, but instead a moment of peace and contemplation.” Depending on the perspective, foreground details work to reveal the magical opening of an expansive view that enlarges our experience of the landscape he has represented.
Gedney has been painting for many years, having majored in art in college. When he moved to the Hudson Valley, he began to reacquaint himself with the work of Thomas Cole and Sanford Gifford and began visiting many of the locales that were subjects of these masters.His paintings have been exhibited at several galleries in the Hudson Valley and he has had many works commissioned by private patrons.
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Creation of oil painting by Rick Gedney with music by Open Book.