The manner in which light and its counterpoint, shadow, fall across objectsand enable us to visualize form has always been intriguing to me.
WhenI first discover interest in a new subject, it is generally because ofthe overall patterns and textures created by the lights and shadows.Cool light creating warmer shadows or intense, hot light playingagainst deep, dark and cool shadows create excitement for me. To createthis quality in transparent watercolor I rely on the application ofnumerous, but delicate, applications of layers of glazes of bothstaining and non-staining colors.
GaryC. Eckhart grew up in the picturesque Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania.While attending Kutztown University of Pennsylvania he studied drawingand oil painting as part of his B.S. Degree in Art Education. Uponcompletion of his degree, he moved to the Catskill Mountains in NewYork to teach public school and continue watercolor painting.
During this time he also developed an interest in stage design and scenic painting. This eventually led to three years of study at the Yale University School of Drama where he earned an MFA in Production Design. In 1974 he became professor of stage design at the State University College at Fredonia, NY and began designing for regional theatre and opera companies. During this time he continued to develop his watercolor skills through the teaching of rendering and painting techniques for the design students. Gary focuses mainly today on his fine art work. He produces some highly detail and creative landscapes and still life watercolors of both Vermont and Bucks Country, Pa.
LIST of Awards
Vermont Festival of the Arts – 1999 – 2004
Warren Town Hall Exhibit – Vermont Festival of the Arts – Warren, VT – 2001, 2002
Big Red Barn Exhibit – Vermont Festival of the Arts – Waitsfield, VT – 2003, 2004
Patterson Biennial – 2002 – Westfield, NY – juried show – Best In Show - 2002
Red River Watercolor Society – Fargo, ND – juried show – 2002
Adirondacks National Exhibition of American Watercolors – Old Forge, NY – juried show – 2002
Aqueous Open 2002 – Pittsburgh Watercolor Society – Pittsburgh, PA – juried show – 2002, 2004
Niagara Frontier National Exhibition – 2003 – award winner
Niagara Frontier Watercolor Society Show – 2004 – Best In Show
Central Adirondack Art Show 2004 – People’s Choice
