VISUAL ARTS + MUSEUMS

Canal Street Gallery presents the exhibition Gordon Phillipson: Decorations.  Opening reception Friday December 3rd 2010,  6 p.m. - 9 p.m.; On view December 3rd - January 31, 2011.

The exhibition features watercolors of classical architecture decoration.

The artist writes:
"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and for some, modern, fit-for-purpose functionality is beautiful.  For me, architecture which speaks to the idea of the thing rather than just to the purpose of the thing opens the possibility for creative expression.  These paintings show a sample of decorative and decorated architecture which have appealed to me."

The artist writes of his background:
"My paintings are the result of a strong visual experience. Experiences which excite me now usually result in a series of paintings. These paintings are a way for me to preserve and personalize the experience. I try to isolate on those aspects of the overall visual experience which resonate with me, and to convey that in the paintings. My paintings are generally done in studio, from my own digital photographs. I often use the computer to manipulate these digital images, and when I am happy with the result, I create a drawing outline on watercolor paper based on the photograph. I then create the Watercolor painting.

I was born in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1939. I obtained a BSc in Mechanical Engineering from Queens University in Canada in 1964, and an MS and PhD in Engineering from Case Institute of Technology in 1968, following which I joined Shell Oil Company. In 1994, I joined IBM in Paris, retiring in 1998. My wife Ellen and I, whom I married in 1966, have two sons, Michael and Christopher, and two grandchildren, Aidan and Joseph. We live in Kemah, Texas."

About Canal Street Gallery
Located blocks away from Minute Maid Park, this downtown gallery features the original works of its eight board members, as well as rotating work from resident and visiting artists. Canal Street Gallery also serves as a classroom, where current artists share their talents with students. www.canalstreetgallery.com.  713-223-2219.