Art Map Burlington Article

ART REVIEW

Lance Richbourg’s "Dawgs"
at Burlington College

Lance Richbourg’s exhibit “Dawgs” at Burlington College, is in a word, arresting. Though the 10 pieces which make up the exhibit are all striking, it is Greyhounds which dominates the space. The acrylic painting on paper measures 58-by-52 inches. The salient, smoke-colored figures command the room, seeming to launch themselves out of the painting and into the community room-turned-classroom.

The unprecedented number of pet owners going to extremes these days, providing Fluffy with an air conditioned canine playhouse, tiara, and trips to the doggie day spa, should beware. “Dawgs” is not an exhibit showcasing cute and cuddly canine companions. Instead, the paintings portray an aggressive, untamed and powerful species. The animals’ strength and dominance is raw and unfettered. In Greyhounds, Richbourg’s use of space and composition draw the viewer into the race. Movement is captured with whorls of acrylic and drips of paint running down the page. Muscles flexed, ears pinned back, the figures explode through a haze of taupe and materialize before the viewer.

Richbourg’s initial fame, however, was not due to his canine paintings or for his work in acrylic. His early works included pop art pieces, mostly of cowboys. He turned to baseball later in his art career. Nicknamed the “painter laureate of baseball,” Richbourg is perhaps most famous for his renditions of America’s favorite pastime during the golden age of the sport. His father, a professional player in the Major Leagues in the 1920’s, was a great influence in Richbourg’s earlier work, which was created mostly in vivid watercolor. His mother, a teacher and amateur artist, encouraged Richbourg in his early creative endeavors. Richbourg, whose work has been shown at multiple New York City galleries, is an artist and art professor at St. Michael’s College in Colchester.

JOY CHOQUETTE

		March 2008 V.3-N.3
		HOME ARTICLES ARCHIVE

Greyhounds 58”x52” acrylic on paper 2003 30. The Gallery at Burlington College 95 North Avenue (802) 862-9616 www.burlington.edu		ART REVIEW Lance Richbourg’s "Dawgs" at Burlington College Lance Richbourg’s exhibit “Dawgs” at Burlington College, is in a word, arresting. Though the 10 pieces which make up the exhibit are all striking, it is Greyhounds which dominates the space. The acrylic painting on paper measures 58-by-52 inches. The salient, smoke-colored figures command the room, seeming to launch themselves out of the painting and into the community room-turned-classroom. The unprecedented number of pet owners going to extremes these days, providing Fluffy with an air conditioned canine playhouse, tiara, and trips to the doggie day spa, should beware. “Dawgs” is not an exhibit showcasing cute and cuddly canine companions. Instead, the paintings portray an aggressive, untamed and powerful species. The animals’ strength and dominance is raw and unfettered. In Greyhounds, Richbourg’s use of space and composition draw the viewer into the race. Movement is captured with whorls of acrylic and drips of paint running down the page. Muscles flexed, ears pinned back, the figures explode through a haze of taupe and materialize before the viewer. Richbourg’s initial fame, however, was not due to his canine paintings or for his work in acrylic. His early works included pop art pieces, mostly of cowboys. He turned to baseball later in his art career. Nicknamed the “painter laureate of baseball,” Richbourg is perhaps most famous for his renditions of America’s favorite pastime during the golden age of the sport. His father, a professional player in the Major Leagues in the 1920’s, was a great influence in Richbourg’s earlier work, which was created mostly in vivid watercolor. His mother, a teacher and amateur artist, encouraged Richbourg in his early creative endeavors. Richbourg, whose work has been shown at multiple New York City galleries, is an artist and art professor at St. Michael’s College in Colchester. JOY CHOQUETTE

Art Map Burlington is a publication of Kasini House, Inc. info@kasinihouse.com Copyright © 2008 Kasini House. All Rights Reserved