At times, the expertly executed colored-pencil creations of Jeffrey Green, of Pen Argyl, inhabit the realm of the photo-realistic. Human hands interlock, revealing a convincing world of nuanced skin tones articulated in fleshy waves of wrinkles, pores and hair. Vegetables tempt the palate, glistening on a wooden surface; their irregular contours awaiting a chef's knife. Grassy sand dunes and ocean waves pull us into their lovely orbit, like a delayed vacation that has finally come to pass.
Green skillfully harnesses the humble energy of the pencil into a prolific outpouring of attractive and touching images. Flowers, butterflies and loved ones with sparkling eyes all find fresh expression through the skillful touch of this inveterate creator.
When one floats the phrase “self-taught artist” into a conversation, some conjure images of work both unrefined and unremarkable. For Green, exploring his genetic predisposition for fine art in solitude has produced tremendous results. Developing each work is a heuristic experience that fuels his hunger to start another piece. He shares, “Learning and growing in my art is actually an ongoing journey with every piece I do—something that does not stop. It is one of the things that drives me in my art; I love the endeavor.”
In his youth, he explored a wide range of mediums. Over time, the colored pencils came into sharper focus as his tool of choice. “It fascinates me, even now, that a humble pencil can create a work that has the impact of a painting. I seek a classic, fine art feel in my art in the same way,” Green says. “I just love that something so surprising, so unassuming can become a fine art piece.”
Sharing his art with the public and teaching others to explore their creativity continues to augment Green's fertile artistic path. Also, keep an eye out for his forthcoming book, Peace and Beauty, which will feature his art, as well as some of the inspirational writings he has done over the last couple of years.
peaceandbeautystudios.yolasite.com
