Solo exhibition for Burkesville artist, Bill Guffey, entitled Traverse Retrogression, opens today, Friday, December 4, 2015 and will be on exhibit until January 30, 2016 in the SKyPAC Main Gallery. An opening reception will be held in conjunction with tomorrow’s Bowling Green Gallery Hop from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM in the SKyPAC Main Gallery.
ARTIST STATEMENT — Abstracted views of the earth and our surroundings drive the ideas behind my paintings. Whether composed with a birds-eye view or from seemingly within, the shapes and colors explore what is essential for me to represent. My fascination with satellite views of fields and the lay of the land began my quest to show the earth in an abstract expressionist way. This journey has taken me to points on the map that use to state, Here Be Dragons. It has been a journey of exploration, truths and consequences, but most of all, change. This group of paintings show a metamorphosis of my vision and style; an evolution. They are an extension of me. I have submerged myself into their depths in hopes of bringing something new, fresh, and extraordinary back to the surface. Using oil paint and a variety of tools to apply it, I spend hours at the easel every day, searching for the perfect composition, palette of colors, and abstraction. The pursuit of these things keeps me coming back continually with more excitement than the day before.
BILL GUFFEY was born and raised in the small, south central Kentucky town of Burkesville. Growing up in the rural area left much to be desired in the way of entertainment, and Guffey turned to drawing and painting at a young age. With no art teachers in the vicinity, he took it upon himself to learn what he could through the use of television and books and magazines. He set up a booth at the annual Arts and Crafts Fair at the age of 12, with his simple, enthusiastic paintings. To his delight, the high school started their first art class his senior year. The next few years to follow were filled with sketching, drawing, and painting sporadically, accompanied by much travel and adventure.
Bill has been selected as an Emerging Artist by Art Galleries and Artists of the South magazine that can be seen in their Fall 2015 Issue, and on their website under the Emerging Artists heading. Recently, Bill has taken home a 1st Place Award at the 8th Annual Artworks, Inc. Members Exhibition 2015; a Best of Show and Merit Award, respectively, at the 7th Annual Artworks, Inc. Members Exhibition; 3rd place award at the Owensboro Museum of Fine Art Plein Air Paint Out; and an Honorable Mention at the 2013 All Kentucky Juried Exhibition.
