Portrait of Ayn Rand

"Portrait of Ayn Rand" by Robert Tracy

I have long regarded Robert Tracy as one of the best and easiest to admire artists. His excellent technical skills are coupled with wonderful insight and value.

"Robert Tracy is a self-taught romantic-realist artist. At the time he began his art career, non-objective art held a near monopoly to the claim of serious art. The art schools were among the staunchest supporters of that monopoly. The choice was to get on board or go your own way. Robert Tracy went his own way. What is that world? For the most part, it is a world of peace and absorption...Though there can be drama, there is little conflict and usually no social interaction." ―Robert Knapp, Ph.D.

"Robert Tracy's work is clear and straight forward, beautiful colors, and precise drawing. They are paintings with a positive sense of life that are wonderful to look at. Tracy's subjects are not heroic; but rather, ordinary subjects made important by his total concentration and love of each particular work. His imagination creates a simple subject, painting it to a level of nobility containing great emotional power."
―Marvin Steel

"Robert Tracy's art must be studied with an eye and mind that is not only critical but also open to new ways of conveying emotions and messages. Meticulously rendered, his work is near perfection in form and substance. And I dare anyone to show me better accuracy than what he offers in pencil. Robert's work is a joy to look at, again, and again. His work will keep his name alive for ages."
―Ben Reed
Author of "My Dying Breath"

Some links to his work: About 500 works by Robert Tracy

Some work for sale:
EBAY Store
Quent Cordair Gallery


"...Tracy’s art is not fashionable. It does not seek to shock, affront, distort, deconstruct, or dissolve. It seeks only to invite you in to share his world..."

Robert Tracy ART REVIEW

Perhaps the finest portrait of Ayn Rand in existence.
PORTRAIT LINK
It is being offered and demands to be placed in the home of an ardent admirer. Contact Robert directly and speak with him about this very special portrait.

Take a close look at the work and descriptions. I think you will enjoy the experience.

Gordon.

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Plein Air in Rochester and Honeoye Falls, New York

Here I am with a small group of painting friends in late summer paint at the former Ketchum-Deshon House circa 1840 in Brighton, NY where I live with my family.

Richard Ketchum is the listed owner with his family in the mid 19th century. An architect lived here in 1940 and accomplished some upgrades, particularly interior trim and woodwork. he also put a concrete floor in the basement and added a recreation room.

In 1947 the home was sold to Ruth Deshon who had lived on Seneca Parkway in the city of Rochester's, Maplewood neighborhood. Her daughter Nancy is one of the childern who grew up here. Nancy attended school at the University of New Mexico where it is said she founded the "Boots and Saddles Club", a recreational riding club. She eventually became a writer and lived in Hawaii for a time before returning to this home to care for her mother.


I have been living here since 2003 and slowly repairing the house and gardens. It is a pleasure to live in such a wonderful old farm house. It is listed as a Brighton town landmark.

The top picture is me painting, then Todd Ryan, and finally Josi Etter. Also present and taking the pictures is Richard Thomas. Unfortunately we did not get his picture.

Todd has a blog of his work and has participated in many shows in the Rochester area.


Josi and I are discussing art trade secrets here at left. Note our serious demeanor. Josi recently was a participant in a juried show at the Rochester Memorial Art Gallery. Her piece was quite striking.

Richard has been a life long artist and I have collected several of his pieces.

And me... well you know enough, with a little more each time.



To the left is a shot I took of the scene I am painting in Honeoye Falls, NY. Here is a satellite view. The brick building with the tower is the old 19th century fire station. It was about 15deg. F and quite cold standing next to the old mill falls with the mist blowing over. I joined Corinne Avery from the GVPAP who hosted this fun time. I need to do a few touch ups to the painting and then I will show it to you.

As a final note, Chris Kolupski (the fine artist currently holding the "Before & After" show at the Framing Edge) is scheduled to be featured on the front page of the Living Section C of the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle this Sunday February, 24, 2008. Take a look and I hope you enjoy it. So far two paintings from that show have sold to a collector from California.

I hope your weekend is wonderful.

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The Frozen Train

The Frozen Train, by Robert Tracy copyright 2003 All rights reserved

One of my favorite images by Robert. The frozen train is a stream liner from an amazing era in history. An Art Deco inspired theme that gave rise to huge industrial imagination. Sky scrapers, sleek autos and all manor of appliances. Man as creator taking joy in the shear beauty of form.

Here the trains light streaks a like a lightning bolt across the mid-west landscape to the future. A moment frozen. A fleeting glimpse of greatness. It brings to my mind the beauty of the awesome cities and buildings set against nature in the Star Trek movies. To boldly go where none have gone before. Thank you Robert, for the catalyst of thought that allows this certain imagination.

I find many people are afraid to tackle such dreams and work to make them a reality. Afraid of squandering scarce resources or wasting time. I believe that we can learn to not only utilize the materials we see around us for beautiful purposes, but preserve nature and create new things both in natural and ARTificial through our efforts. I hate waste and love creation.

One aspect of all ART (the creative discipline) is possibility of projecting from within to others the amazing potential. Ideas do matter!

Here is another of Roberts paintings and one of my own. Robert at Quent Cordair Gallery

Left is Robert Tracy's, "As the World Turns" copyright 2007 All rights reserved

Click on either image for more information.

Right is "Whispering" by Gordon van Vliet copyright 2006 All rights reserved SOLD


I always imagine the buds, fruit, flowers, nuts (all similar new life forms) sharing a conversation. Life is new and exciting, life is beautiful!

Finally, I have purchased a picture framing store and hope to enlarge the offering to fine art. Wish me well in this endeavor and stop by and visit. Michael Burdick is a master framer and working his craft for 22 years. I look forward to working with him to build this store into something special. The store phone number is 585-787-2150. Her is one of the ad pieces we are developing. The store will also have a blog that will become active over time.

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Independence

Portrait in progress by David Darrow
© 2007 David R. Darrow - Used by Permission - All rights reserved

Go here to see the finished portrait. See the difference?

Why not stop by his blog and comment on his beautiful work.





"Painting, in general, which happens over time, may be more truthful than photography, which extrapolates its truth from an instant. In painting, the whole gradual process is still visible even in the final result." Geoff Bouvier

Above is excerpted from an article about fellow artist David Darrow. Enjoy it.

"Every portrait that is painted with feeling is a portrait of the artist, not of the sitter." Oscar Wilde

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Below, I leave you with the following thoughts for today.

On the 4th of July celebrate the independence of a nation, celebrate the fight for individual liberty.

An artist paints, a liberated artist paints what he sees, what he feels, his dreams, his aspirations.

He puts them out there for the world to see, or keeps them locked in a closet, only for him to see.

A painting is like a lamp. It lights up the soul of an artist. It is a guide to his world within.

A great painting is his guide of promise for the world, of hope, of true possibilities.

There is a language used to convey in visual image the thought of an artist. The trained hand his main tool, paint and canvas the medium of exchange.

Sometimes for a thought to share, sometimes to remain privately within.

Let him remain free.

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