Reception set Aug. 29 for John Whitney's Whimsy exhibit at Philip Morton Gallery
Philip Morton Gallery in Rehoboth Beach presents Whimsy, an exhibition of whimsical and fantastically fun figurative works by John Whitney. An opening reception with wine and hors d'oeuvres will be held from 6 to 8:30 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 29, for attendees to meet the artist and view a collection of his works. Though the gallery always has a collection of Whitney’s works onsite, this special Whimsy exhibit runs through Tuesday, Sept. 15.
The exhibit will primarily feature original paintings and original prints by Whitney, but will include a few additional surprise works with a whimsical influence. Whitney's childhood was considerably different from most. His aunt Marjorie Whitney was chair of the Design Department of the University of Kansas, muralist and illustrator of numerous books and publications.
His father William R. Whitney Jr. had been supervisor of The Arts and Crafts Division of WPA in Kansas, displayed work at the 1939 New York World's Fair and also worked with Eleanor Roosevelt as an advisor for a WPA arts project called The Reedsville Project in Arthurdale, W.Va.
Growing up in a family of artists, he spent much of his youth on painting excursions traveling to river banks, road cuts and lakes looking for roots and boulders that through erosion had exposed the skeleton structure that formed the vast prairies of Kansas and Oklahoma. They gathered the creek water and mixed it with the prepared watercolor which was applied on the carefully stretched Arches paper.
For the hours that followed, Whitney would be lectured on composition, pigment grinds, the minimalism and descriptive meaning of each paint stroke. While painting, his aunt and father told of their friends Albert Bloch, chair of the Painting Department at the University of Kansas and a member of the Blue Rider movement, and Will Penny, who was never without a sketchbook in his hands. The stories described the dedication these artists had in their pursuit of art. They would dramatically shape his life as an artist.
Whitney has had a rich life in visual arts starting in 1960 as a stage designer and muralist. After his studies at the University of Kansas, he moved on to become an accomplished sculptor in New Mexico, exhibiting from 1965-70 in Jamison Gallery and Collectors' Gallery in Santa Fe, N.M., and Gallery A in Taos, N.M.
Whitney paints the essence within everyone. His complex emotional figurative-based work displays his compassion for form and shared space while conveying expressionism. He captures the substance in the subject and gives it movement by creating multiple views of its form. Each viewing shapes a different mood and in their fusion he sculpts the intricate novel that reflects life.
Whitney is currently a two-dimensional artist. He only paints in fine oil and watercolor, as well as a medium he calls Works on Paper that are created with an oil-based etching ink with the addition of graphite and pastel. Because of his traditional background, he only does original work. His artworks can be found in collections throughout the World.
Whitney and his wife Linda are full-time residents of Sarasota, Fla., since moving from Vermont in 2010.
Philip Morton Gallery features a wonderful collection from a variety of renowned, award-winning and emerging artists from around the United States, offering original works in paintings, sculptures, glass works, ceramics, mobiles/stabiles, mixed media and furnishings - many with a modern and contemporary flair. The gallery was voted Best of Delaware by Delaware Today Magazine Readers three years in a row.
For a preview of Whitney's work, go to the gallery's Facebook page. Philip Morton Gallery is at 47 Baltimore Ave. in Rehoboth Beach, between First and Second streets. For more information, call 302-727-0905 or email info@philipmortongallery.com.
