Sherrie McGraw
Day 2 of the Figurative Art Convention and Expo 2017 began with a painting demonstration by Sherrie McGraw who studied and taught painting at the Art Students League of New York. She is the author of The Language of Drawing.
Demonstration Painting by Sherrie McGraw
Next was a presentation by Elliot Bostwick Davis, Chair of the Art of the America’s Department at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. She spoke about the place of figurative art in the Americas.
Following the lunch break, Jacob Collins gave a presentation entitled The Art World in Crisis. Collins is one of the leading figures in the contemporary revival of classical painting.
David Leffel
Following Collins’ presentation, David Leffel gave a painting demonstration. Leffel is recognized by his peers as a painter’s painter and some consider him to be the artistic reincanation of Rembrandt.
The highlight of the day was my dinner at the Palme d’or restaurant with one of my favorite art instructors, Virgil Elliott. He is the author of Traditional Oil Painting–Advanced Techniques and Concepts from the Renaissance to the Present. Virgil has taught art for 35 years. He is ranked as a “Living Master” by the Art Renewal Center and has a burning passion for his art. He is obsessed with creating the best paintings he can while he still has time. One of his favorite quotes that he shared with us was from the movie Babette’s Feast. “Throughout the world sounds one long cry from the heart of the artist: Give me the chance to do my very best.”
Mary Ellis LaGarde and Virgil Elliott