Rush & Day

Josh Rush was one of the first artists I met after moving into my studio at the Harrison Center over five years ago, and I will always remember being taken with his warmth and openness. He is such a natural and unpretentious spirit, and his style as an artist reflects this. I had a similar first impression of Brendan Day when I interviewed him for a blog here last August 2019, introducing him as one of our newest artists. At that time I remember being impressed with what a passionate creator he is. This month the two studio neighbors are showing their work together in the Hank and Dolly Gallery, and the combining of their two styles makes for a display that is both touching and pleasing to the eye.

Josh says, “This is the second time that Brendan and I have collaborated for a show. I think our work compliments each other’s very well. I think we get where the other is going creatively and we enjoy the camaraderie.”

Both Josh and Brendan are essentially impressionists, capturing the essence of their subject matter with evocative brush work and stirring color stories. I love the bold, almost geometric laying on of colors that Brendan uses to create the beautiful image of Red Rocks. I am always intrigued by the masterful way Josh allows bits of red under painting to peek through in his work, drawing the viewers eyes to these areas of the compositions. He is able to convey so much emotion in his informal portraiture, ultimately proving the power of a quiet, seemingly everyday moment.

A great example of this is “Many Good Reads”, an interior view of a room where someone is sitting on a couch reading a book. With fresh, sketchy brush strokes, Josh has created an expressive peek into a cozy room that hints of many stories to tell.

Both artists create gorgeous plein air work. I am so drawn to the three panels Brendan painted of Fort Benjamin Harrison State Park with their shadowy, hazy shapes and colors. If you have time, check out the Studio Visits video on the Harrison Center’s Vimeo page for a glimpse at his process. He’s had much success riding his bike around town in search of inspiration for his paintings.

The show will hang through January 31, 2020, downstairs in the Hank and Dolly’s Gallery of the Harrison Center.