Tuesday, 11 March, 2008

Oil paintings by James Caldwell are currently on exhibit at the Delmar Riney Art Gallery at Pratt Community College. The exhibit is open for viewing during regular business hours, 8 am-4 pm, Monday through Friday. “The paintings are large, photographic and formal in appearance but become more surreal and abstract with more observation”, says Marsha Shrack, gallery director. Caldwell calls himself a formal realist. “I guess you could call my work almost photo realistic, but I twist perspectives in a subtle way and distort space”, says Caldwell. “If you take the time to truly look at the picture you will see how abstract they really are”. Caldwell also demonstrates an element of humor in his work as you can tell by the titles “Daniel Praying for Salvation and Cheetos” and “A Painting of a Photograph of Lucian Freud and Wieners”.

James Caldwell has been a high school art teacher for the past 13 years in Halstead, Kansas. He lives there with his wife Sherri and their two daughters, Emma and Isabelle. Caldwell received his bachelor’s degree in art education from Emporia State in 1992. He completed his MFA in painting in 2001 from Wichita State and has been an adjunct professor for the University teaching drawing and painting courses. James has had his work exhibited in numerous local and regional art exhibitions.

James Caldwell will teach an oil painting workshop this summer at PCC. For more information, call Marsha Shrack at 620-450-2191 or email at marshas@prattcc.edu.