4th Ave Underpass #2 by William Dubin
Illumination seems to be William Dubin’s obsession, and this theme perfectly elucidates his unorthodox watercolor technique on display through May 12 at Borealis Arts, a fairly recent (September 2008) arrival to the Tucson art scene. Located at 6530 E. Tanque Verde Rd. #160 past Grant Road, it is well outside corresponding enterprises that aggregate around various locales downtown and near the University. Flanked by Covington and Desert Artisan’s Gallery, owner Nathan Saxton is hoping to start his own art nexus on East Tanque Verde.
William Dubin has exhibited in San Francisco, Seattle and San Diego, but in Tucson only once at Moe’s Gallery several years ago. A sculptor by inclination and training, he took up watercolors to explore an interest in light and urban living, which he says is “all I’ve ever painted.” A sign next to a vivid night scene states “. . . interested in the transitory effects that artificial light illumination . . . can give.” He likes to paint automobiles and street cars, scenes of shipyards and other industrial subjects, nighttime streets and lighted shop windows, and especially, Tucson’s 4th Avenue and the old trolley trundling past stores and pedestrians or emerging from the underpass. Accompanying overhead wires create an almost calligraphic contrast to the color washes and blocks.
Sunset and sunrise also seem to fascinate him, and his treatment of optical effects, a sunrise reflection on windshields, for instance, results in a burst of yellow, red, pale yellow and orange - all executed with broad dancing brush strokes that perfectly capture the shimmer and splash of natural luminosity.
Borealis Gallery owner Nathan Saxton combines museum quality framing with his spacious, bright, modern gallery space. For this show, he proudly advertises a connection with the Southern Arizona Transportation Museum - who requested “#869 - Light and Shadow on 4th Ave” to grace the museum’s exhibit area.
The website www.BorealisArts.com features an eight-week blog leading up to the show. The gallery is open Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-5pm, and can be reached at 885-2157.
William Dubin has exhibited in San Francisco, Seattle and San Diego, but in Tucson only once at Moe’s Gallery several years ago. A sculptor by inclination and training, he took up watercolors to explore an interest in light and urban living, which he says is “all I’ve ever painted.” A sign next to a vivid night scene states “. . . interested in the transitory effects that artificial light illumination . . . can give.” He likes to paint automobiles and street cars, scenes of shipyards and other industrial subjects, nighttime streets and lighted shop windows, and especially, Tucson’s 4th Avenue and the old trolley trundling past stores and pedestrians or emerging from the underpass. Accompanying overhead wires create an almost calligraphic contrast to the color washes and blocks.
Sunset and sunrise also seem to fascinate him, and his treatment of optical effects, a sunrise reflection on windshields, for instance, results in a burst of yellow, red, pale yellow and orange - all executed with broad dancing brush strokes that perfectly capture the shimmer and splash of natural luminosity.
Borealis Gallery owner Nathan Saxton combines museum quality framing with his spacious, bright, modern gallery space. For this show, he proudly advertises a connection with the Southern Arizona Transportation Museum - who requested “#869 - Light and Shadow on 4th Ave” to grace the museum’s exhibit area.
The website www.BorealisArts.com features an eight-week blog leading up to the show. The gallery is open Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-5pm, and can be reached at 885-2157.
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