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Jeff Weaver: Gloucester Paintings and Drawings

October 13, 2007 - January 31, 2008

 

Cape Ann Historical Museum presents an exhibition of the paintings and drawings of Cape Ann artist Jeff Weaver. Weaver's work reflects his long connection to the region, and his fascination with the architectural diversity, decaying wharves, and working waterfront that have provided him with an intriguing array of subject matter for almost 40 years. Weaver chooses subjects which reveal Gloucester's true personality, discovering visual interest in scenes that would ordinarily go unnoticed. Weaver works in the American Realist Tradition, though is also influenced by developments in 20th century painting and its emphasis on gestural brushwork, line, and compositional structure.

Weaver established residence in Gloucester after graduating from the Boston Museum School in the early 1970s. His early work included commissions for boat portraits from fishing vessel captains, and for murals in commercial establishments and private houses. Weaver has completed over thirty murals throughout the city.

The exhibition runs from October 13, 2007 through January 31, 2008.

 

(above: Jeff Weaver, Short Street, Gloucester, 2003, watercolor)

 

(above: Jeff Weaver, Off East Main Street, Gloucester, 2007, oil on canvas)

 

Jeff Weaver Biography

Jeff Weaver was born in 1953 in Framingham, Massachusetts. He began drawing and painting at an early age, accepting portrait commissions by age fourteen. In his high school years, he won awards in drawing & sculpture in the Scholastic Awards state-wide art competitions. During this time his teacher was Eleanor Marvin, accomplished sculptor and graphic artist, who nourished his draftsmanship skills. After graduating from high school, he entered the Boston Museum School. In 1972 he took up residence in Gloucester, sketching and painting the Gloucester waterfront on an almost daily basis.

In his early years in the city, he supported himself at various waterfront jobs, as well as from commissions for boat portraits from fishing vessel captains, and for murals in commercial establishments and private homes. This eventually led to many years of commercial work, including over 30 murals painted in different parts of the city.

Returning to fine art pursuits in the 1990s, Jeff again focused on depicting Gloucester and its environs in various media. He currently operates a studio/gallery at 16 Rogers St. on the Gloucester waterfront.

 

Wall panels including artist statements and object labels from the exhibition

 
My paintings and drawings of Gloucester reflect my long connection to, and fascination with, this unique place. Its architectural diversity, decaying wharves, and working waterfront have provided me with an intriguing array of subject matter for almost 40 years.
 
I choose my subjects as often from the commonplace as from the inherently picturesque, looking for that which reveals the city's true personality. I enjoy the challenge of finding visual interest in scenes which ordinarily go unnoticed.
 
As light moves across the landscape, objects are defined or obscured, illuminated or enveloped in shadow. These shapes and patterns are key elements in my work. They provide the structure upon which is built a strong graphic image.
 
While I work in the American Realist tradition, my work is also influenced by developments in 20th century painting and its emphasis on gestural brushwork, line, and compositional structure.
 
Jeff Weaver established residence in Gloucester after graduating from the Boston Museum School in the early 1970s. His early work included commissions for boat portraits from fishing vessel captains, and for murals in commercial establishments and private houses. The artist has completed more than thirty murals throughout the city.
 
Returning to fine art pursuits in the 1990s, Weaver again focused on depicting Gloucester and its environs in various media. He currently operates a studio/gallery on the Gloucester waterfront.
 
 
Tally's Corner
Winter
2003
Oil on canvas
Private collection
 
 
Beach Court
2006
Oil on board
Private collection
 
March Snow, East Gloucester
2007
Oil on canvas
Private collection
 
 
Beacon Marine Basin
2007
Oil on canvas
Private Collection
 
 
Dock Repair
2006
Oil on board
Private collection
 
 
Off East Main Street
2007
Oil on canvas
Private collection
 
 
White House, East Main Street
2007
Oil on board
 
 
Pavilion Beach, October
2006
Oil on board
Private collection
 
 
O'Donnell-Usen Plant
2006
Oil on linen
Private collection
 
 
Capt. Dave Fuel Boat
2007
Oil on canvas
Private collection
 
 
Fort Square, February
2005
Oil on canvas
Private collection
 
Comments from the artist--
 
The Fort section of Gloucester has always been a special place for me. One of my first apartments was on the third floor of an old building at the corner of Beach Court and Commercial Street. The street level was occupied by Parisi Plastic Fishing Gear, and the second floor by a few Sicilian fishermen.
 
It was a great location from which an aspiring artist could become immersed in the visual excitement of the working waterfront as the wharves along Commercial Street were very busy at that time. The fishermen would often be seen walking home after a trip, sometimes carrying a whole fish or two for the evening meal.
 
Although much has changed, this area has never ceased to find a prominent place in my work, with its juxtaposition of factories, working class neighborhood, and waterfront.
 
 
Pleasant Street with City Hall
2007
Oil on canvas
 
Comments from the artist--
 
This is an unfinished work showing the process of a large studio painting. I usually make some detailed preparatory sketches to determine the basic composition, placement, etc. I then begin drawing with earth colors on the toned canvas. This underpainting may then be overpainted with scumbled lighter & darker tones as the idea is developed. Colors find their way into the painting as it progresses.
 
I saw a large painting by da Vinci in a museum in Florence which he never finished because he had to leave the city in a hurry for some reason or another. A good thing for us, because it was wonderful to see his beautiful drawing and underpainting. I decided to include this unfinished work for similar instructive purposes.
 
 
In the case:
 
Study for Pleasant Street with City Hall
Study for Fort Square, February
Railways Study
Study for Dock Repair
 
 
Beach Court
2006
Oil on board
Private collection
 
March Snow, East Gloucester
2007
Oil on canvas
Private collection
 
 
Beacon Marine Basin
2007
Oil on canvas
Private Collection
 
 
Dock Repair
2006
Oil on board
Private collection
 
 
Off East Main Street
2007
Oil on canvas
Private collection
 
 
White House, East Main Street
2007
Oil on board
 
 
Pavilion Beach, October
2006
Oil on board
Private collection
 
 
O'Donnell-Usen Plant
2006
Oil on linen
Private collection
 
 
Capt. Dave Fuel Boat
2007
Oil on canvas
Private collection
 
 
Fort Square, February
2005
Oil on canvas
Private collection
 
Comments from the artist--
 
The Fort section of Gloucester has always been a special place for me. One of my first apartments was on the third floor of an old building at the corner of Beach Court and Commercial Street. The street level was occupied by Parisi Plastic Fishing Gear, and the second floor by a few Sicilian fishermen.
 
It was a great location from which an aspiring artist could become immersed in the visual excitement of the working waterfront as the wharves along Commercial Street were very busy at that time. The fishermen would often be seen walking home after a trip, sometimes carrying a whole fish or two for the evening meal.
 
Although much has changed, this area has never ceased to find a prominent place in my work, with its juxtaposition of factories, working class neighborhood, and waterfront.
 
 
Pleasant Street with City Hall
2007
Oil on canvas
 
Comments from the artist--
 
This is an unfinished work showing the process of a large studio painting. I usually make some detailed preparatory sketches to determine the basic composition, placement, etc. I then begin drawing with earth colors on the toned canvas. This underpainting may then be overpainted with scumbled lighter & darker tones as the idea is developed. Colors find their way into the painting as it progresses.
 
I saw a large painting by da Vinci in a museum in Florence which he never finished because he had to leave the city in a hurry for some reason or another. A good thing for us, because it was wonderful to see his beautiful drawing and underpainting. I decided to include this unfinished work for similar instructive purposes.
 
 
In the case:
 
Study for Pleasant Street with City Hall
Study for Fort Square, February
Railways Study
Study for Dock Repair

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