Ted Reed at the Art League

I think that DC area painter Ted Reed is one of the supreme masters of the technical aspect of classic realism.

They don't get much better that Reed when it comes to delivering superbly crafted portraits and representational work at the height of realism.

But technical wizardry is not all that makes a great painting (although it is damned well ahead of whatever is in second place), and Reed also has the mastery of many other tools that a successful painter needs: composition, creativity and that arcane ability to grab something from the subject beyond just its likeness.

The vast majority of contemporary art critics seem to have an agenda that does not include contemporary realism in its portfolio; I'm not one of them.

The Art League Gallery in Alexandria, VA, will hold a solo exhibition of Ted's recent works, entitled "Presence." The show features both portraits and paintings with broader narrative content and a wider emotional range than most portraits but that still focus on people as subjects. The opening reception will be on Thursday, September 11, 6:30 - 8:30PM and the show goes through October 6, 2008.

Ted will also present several oil-painting demonstrations in the Gallery on:

o Saturday, September 13, noon - 3:00 pm

o Saturday, September 20, noon - 3:00 pm

o Sunday, October 5, 1:00-4:00 pm

The Opening Reception on Thursday, September 11, coincides with the Old Town Alexandria's Second Thursday Art Night gallery hop, when most Old Town art galleries remain open until 9:00, many restaurants offer deals, and there's live music. Click here for more details.