LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
Peninsula Gallery Presents "Portraits" by Andrew Criss |
Artist Andrew Criss makes his living painting portraits, and if the truth be known, he has been supplementing his income that way since a very early age. "My elementary school art teacher lived next door, and I remember asking her to teach me to draw faces," says Criss. "By fourth grade I was selling sketches of my classmates for their lunch money." "My first serious commissions came at college," says Criss, who studied at the University of Texas in Austin. "A collector from San Antonio had seen my work and hired me to do two pieces. That really got the ball rolling." Criss sold paintings throughout his college years, then moved to Washington, DC to work as an illustrator for a graphic design studio. But he did not stay away from portraiture for very long. "I kept visiting the Smithsonian and the National Gallery, studying the portraits," says Criss, "and I decided to take a risk. After five years in advertising, I quit my job to paint full time." The artist soon knew he had made the right choice. "I've been busy with commissions ever since. That saying about doing what you love really is true. I've never been happier." Some 20 years after selling sketches to his classmates in Texas, Criss is now living in Rehoboth Beach. Criss paints in acrylic. He likes to get to know his subjects and will not, for instance, paint from photographs given to him by somebody else, although he does take his own so that he can work from them in the studio. As well as human portraiture he likes to do animals, especially domestic pets. He has an uncanny way of bringing out the character of the subject in his work. Recent examples of his commissioned work, and others that will be for sale, will be on display at the Peninsula Gallery for 2 weeks starting March 16. A reception to meet the artist will be held Sunday, March 19, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. when Criss will be available to discuss his work. Peninsula Gallery, 520 E. Savannah Rd. in Lewes, is open 7 days a week. Call 302-645-0551 for more information. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 10, No. 2, Mar. 10, 2000. |