SAXTONS RIVER — Main Street Arts’ gallery at 35 Main St. features the works of Walpole, N.H., artist Jon McAuliffe through April 25NOTE (Unknown Author, 2016-04-04T17:08:26): Per MSA site, with a public reception for the artist on April 7.
After leaving a career as a musician in a nationally touring rock band, McAuliffe began his life as an artist and painter. With a natural aptitude for realism, he decided to study in Florence, Italy, learning classical technique at an epicenter of classical realist art instruction: the Angel Academy Atelier under John Michael Angel and Jered Woznicki.
On his return to the States he began working full-time as a portrait artist, creating paintings for galleries in his spare time. In addition to his training in Florence, McAuliffe obtained a master's in fine art from Vermont College of Fine Arts in Montpelier.
McAuliffe says he admires Norman Rockwell, having once authored a passionate defense of the iconic artist and illustrator.
“One of the most distinctively American traits shared by many of our best writers and artists has been their ability and willingness to incorporate wit into their works. It is one of the elements that make their work so memorable,” McAuliffe explains in a news release.
McAuliffe argues that high quality art shouldn’t intimidate and can even amuse, which is why he titled this one-man exhibition “The Artist Does Not Bite.”
Main Street Arts Artistic Director David Stern has known Jon McAuliffe since the latter was a high school student.
“The growth in his skills has been been a joy to watch. His work is increasingly polished and will be of interest to anyone who wants to see a range of representational works executed with great skill,” Stern says.