Rackstraw Downes Paintings and Drawings at BETTY CUNINGHAM GALLERY

James Kalm is on Rivington Street, and decides to bring viewers along for an extended close viewing of the work of one of today’s most acclaimed realists, Rackstraw Downes. For several decades now, Downes has been patiently building a reputation for sharp focused landscape painting. As a humanistic challenge to the camera, and digital reality, the painter has emphasized his commitment to personal observation, working from nature on site from start to finish. Though working contemporaneously with the “Photo-Realists” Downes stays “old school” and never allows himself to be intimidated into relinquishing his vision and touch to a machine. This group of paintings and drawings bare witness to his skill and mastery of his subject. This program was recorded October 14, 2018. A musical introduction is provided by D.D. King.

[@noelc8927]

I like my realism more painterly, but I can appreciate the work put on these pieces. To me, the composition is at the forefront of these works. Thanks James, more like this please!

[@anawieder5003]

Noel C I agree with your assessment wholeheartedly

[@eriknieminen]

tbh, they're quite painterly when seen in person... more than I expected, anyway.

[@gregrohrer7136]

Thanks for the great video of a wonderful artist. I love his subject matter and the way he applies paint to the canvas. I also love the way they included his pencil studies for his paintings. They are just as good. Thanks again for the video. It was almost like being there!

[@skinnyontight]

as far as i am concerned you are a Saint Mr kalm🦊🦊🦊🦊🦊

[@slipton6493]

Thank you again JamesKalm! Also love D.D. King!

[@chriserskineartist]

Thanks James and Executive producer Kate.

[@tomliii8619]

Thanks. An interview & tour of his studio/library would be wonderful! I would love to hear about his drawing & painting techniques.

[@jimstokes8541]

good comment and info on a super fine artist!

[@thirdrockjul2224]

Thank you Kate

[@barbarajohnson1442]

Such a great COMPOSER!!!

[@MikeWitmerNatureJournal]

Fascinating painting. I enjoyed hearing about how he develops these although I still don't get it completely. I too am baffled by the portrayal of light in these The description says "these are painted on site from start to finish" but there is much more to it than that. Lucien Freud was actually more of a straight observational painter. Downes is some other hybrid.

[@morganrussell6335]

Right on!

[@petramchalach3075]

it's interesting how he replace the road signs and added ceiling lamps. this is why they exhibited the drawing studies to compare them with the final painting. That's what he meant in his statement they aren't in fact real and logical paintings fantastic subtle art.

[@sonnycorbi1970]

BRAVO!! I was in less then a good mood this morning - that was before Rackstraw - I would like to know how much time on average Rackstraw puts into his work, mmm! I am, for lack of a better word an “abstract painter” - words are not things but description of things and subject to current connotation at best - In reference to “realism” & “abstractionist” I have yet to hear anyone make a comment about “classical music” or “jazz” as being, (again for lack of better words), bull shit - Part of the problem as I see it, is the word “ART “ - that word means everything and at the same time it means nothing - I remember in the late 80’s I was living in the country/woods - didn’t have enough money to move - I was there about a year - anyway once I settled in I started going on location everyday and drawing and I got good at it! (I wonder if I will ever experience that inner peace again) - Just a side note, I think to be an accomplished “abstract” Artist one has to be an intense student of Philosophy - Metaphysics and theoretical Physics - nothing carved in stone here, I’m jus sayen das all -

[@Art_Travel_and_Hobbys]

Funny how abstract painters would get such a narrow minded view. I could easily say that painters who only do realism lack creativity... But aside from sideline opinions Rackstraw work is tops. 👍

[@chriserskineartist]

I find the curving of space in the painting interesting if these are actually painted from life. Maybe it was caused by the filming of the works, but they really appeared to be caused by a lens; still very skilled work. I see very little brushstroke work in these pieces, it appears almost like a dabbing process.

[@tomliii8619]

The fisheye effect of the ubiquitous security camera.

[@anawieder5003]

I was just thinking that those desert scenes reminded me of Walter and Jesse cooking meth In their underwear.

[@luisrafael1570]

resident sleeper

[@noahvale939]

Better with the sound on mute.

[@anunnakirs]

painting this realistic stuff is painfully boring!!!

[@ElectricPid]

Mauricio Garces true it is boring but the technique takes a lot of discipline

[@eriknieminen]

Still more exciting than another hard edge geometric painting.