in the news
06/04/2024
OMAM to open 'Wings of Splendor' exhibit on Thursday
Ormond Observer
Follow the Artist
OPENING RECEPTION: June 6th
live music by guitarist Howard Post and bassist Ron Gilotti!
A graduate of Hartt College of Music as a classical guitar major, Howard Post taught guitar, music theory and small ensembles in the jazz studies department of his alma mater for six years under the direction of famed alto saxophonist Jackie McLean. Howard moved to NYC in 1989 where he performed with a variety of music groups from big bands to small ensembles as well as leading his own trio. While in NYC he released two CD as a leader: “The Art of The Duo” with saxophonist Mark Biles and “Alone Together” with vocalist Joyce Griffen. In 2014, Howard moved to Daytona Beach where he continues to perform in the North/Central Florida region with the Howard Post Trio and a variety of musicians from the area.
Ron Gilotti earned a BA in Music Education from the Philadelphia School of the Performing Arts. He also earned additional special education certifications at the University of Central Florida. Ron toured throughout Europe, Japan, Canada and Puerto Rico with The Glen Miller Orchestra, Buddy DeFranco, Ray Anthony, The Three Degrees and Lou Rawls. Ron was also a long standing member of the Walt Disney World Orchestra. He now is a full time musician working all of Florida with his own group ‘Tres Bien’ and with The Howard Post Trio and Tyler Rosenke’s ‘TRio’.
Wings of Splendor
The Works of John Costin
June 6 - September 22, 2024
Tampa-area artist John Costin creates exquisitely detailed bird portraits. He uses an age-old process of multi-plate etching and then meticulously colors each print by hand, so no two are alike. Please join us to witness the splendor of his etched feathers and learn about his fascinating process.
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Verdant Landscape
four-plate original hand painted etching
31 1/2" x 45 1/2"
Sandhill Cranes are one of the tallest birds found in North America with a wingspan close to 6 feet. They can be found in prairies, wetlands, and open fields across the country. Their loud lively bugle calls can be heard for over a mile when announcing their presence in a V-shape flight pattern. Mating for life, these bonded pairs make an impressive couple!
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Caribbean Flamingo
four-plate original hand painted etching
12 1/2" x 18"
Also called the “American Flamingo”, this bird is a striking coral red that would captivate any viewer. Ironically the first-year birds are brown and white, greatly different from the adults. The landscape depicts the Greater Antilles where they are found in addition to South Florida. This is a four plate, hand-colored etching that is hand-painted with transparent watercolors.
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American Reddish Egret
four-plate original hand painted etching
12 1/2" x 18"
The rarest egret in North America, the Reddish Egret is primarily a coastal bird inhabiting saltwater estuaries. They get their food from tidal washes that shift bait with the current. The most animated of egrets, they are entertaining to watch as they jump, leap, wave wings, and run after their prey. A small percentage have all white feathers, referred to a white morph, but retain the same blue legs and pink lores. This is a four plate, hand-colored etching.
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Pensive Great Blue
four-plate original hand painted etching
30" x 44"
The Great Blue Heron that you see here is one of my largest etchings I have ever made; like the Roseate Spoonbill. It is one of the most common herons in the U.S., located in every state. You notice how the bird is confronting the viewer, an in-your-face pose. These striking birds stand nearly 54” high with a 6’ wingspan. A 3 plate hand-colored etching with an attitude.
Artist Statement
"I have always been fascinated by birds; their beauty and ability to fly. My interest in art began at a very young age; using crayons on the walls in my grandmother's house. She probably was not too happy about that. I studied art history and printmaking in college. Though I started working as an electrician in my early twenties, I knew it was temporary. I wanted to be an artist. I am a printmaker. The process is challenging and I like that. 1-5 copper plates are individually hand wiped with various colors of ink to create an image on paper. Then each piece is meticulously hand colored. The plates take months to create and many weeks of proofing are done before an acceptable piece is created. It is a combination of drawing, sculpture and painting. It is the oldest printing process in the world; Rembrandt, Goya and other fine artists were printmakers. No computers or photography are ever used; each piece is handmade and hand painted and though the editions may range from 1-250, no two pieces are the same. I consider my work bird portraits. Most of my subjects are depicted life size. I go out in the field and take hundreds of photos of whatever bird I want to work on. The photos are taken back to my studio for me to study them and are then put away. I then draw from memory, creating the backgrounds and posing the subject. I never use photographs while drawing because I do not want my subjects to look photographic. That is extremely important to me." — John Costin
LEFT IMAGE: Roseate Spoonbill in Flight, single plate hand-painted etching by John Costin | RIGHT IMAGE: John Costin at work on his press using one of the copper platest to create the image of the "Black Crowned Night Heron." This etching takes five plates to create the subject on paper. It is then meticulously hand colored.
