“Perspectives” — PHD Gallery’s 1st Annual Artist Showcase

Time	Saturday, May 7 · 7:00pm - 10:00pm
Location	PHD GALLERY 2300 Cherokee Street St. Louis, MO 63118
More Info	“Perspectives” PHD Gallery’s 1st Annual Artist Showcase! Featuring Abstract Acrylic Paintings by Deanna Chafin, Oil Paintings of Faces by Dennis DeToye, and Fantasy Ceramics by Ruth Reese. ... May 7 through June 11, 2011. Opening Reception is Saturday, May 7, 2011, 7:00 - 10:00 p.m. “Perspectives,” PHD Gallery’s first annual artist showcase, highlights the work of three artists with a unique point of view. Functioning as three solo shows in one, “Perspectives” affords artists an opportunity to exhibit a singular body of work representative of their current career arc. Three artists will be designated annually. The three artists chosen for this year’s “Perspectives” are: Deanna Chafin, Dennis DeToye, and Ruth Reese. “Perspectives” is on view May 7 through June 11, 2011 with an opening reception on Saturday, May 7 from 7 to 10PM. ********* About the Artists Deanna Chafin: As a long-time admirer of abstract expressionist painters such as Jackson Pollock, Arshile Gorky, and Mark Rothko she developed her own style and creates vivid, large-scale works which utilize heavy bodied paints and a vibrant palette. The artist, a St. Louis native, holds a B.A. from Webster University and currently lives in Webster Groves with her husband and young son. After spending fourteen years as an educator working with children and families with special needs, Deanna now devotes her time to the studio creating new pieces. Dennis DeToye: Using oil on canvas, DeToye paints giant faces, some as tall as feet! He chooses ordinary subjects whose faces he finds interesting: “Mostly, I look for a face that I like for reasons that I can’t exactly explain. I like glasses because of the reflections and shadows on the face. I like people of color because of the rich skin tones. I like older people because of the lines and folds. I prefer not to paint celebrities or beautiful people and I almost never pick a subject based on his or her personality or because I know the person.” ~ Dennis DeToye DeToye received his Bachelor of Fine Arts from Western Illinois University, and completed his Masters Degree at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. He worked as an editorial cartoonist and a teacher and was Chair of the Department of Fine Arts at Edwardsville High School when he retired. Ruth Reese: Working primarily with red earthenware, Ruth’s work is an expression of the richness of the medium. Her pieces are layered with drawings and reliefs giving them a dreamy and wistful atmosphere. Whether creating functional pots or sculptural works, she combines engobes, majolicas, slips and decals into narratives that float across the surface. Her work can be described as ceramic forms with graphic illustrations, which seek to be both challenging and beautiful. Within the ceramics community she has exhibited locally and nationally. Ruth Reese holds an MFA in Sculpture (2002) from Washington University and a BA (1997) from Loyola University. She has taught at Maryville University, St. Louis Community College, St. Charles Community College, Jefferson College, Lewis & Clark College and East Central College.