Gallery Espresso brings its patented blend of caffeinated drinks and gallery exhibitions to a new level with their new show featuring artist John Crowell through Oct. 31.
Crowell, a former Savannah resident, now lives in Jacksonville. He said the city has always held a special significance, as he lived in Savannah during the late 90s and early 2000s and even co-produced the informational picture book, “Savannah Then and Now.”
“Back then I actually had a show at the original Gallery Espresso that was on Liberty Street,” he remembered.
For Crowell, returning for a new exhibition in the coffeehouse’s current location was an opportunity he couldn’t pass up.
The exhibition focuses on the large portfolio of Crowell who began his art career with no formal training.
“I always had a natural lean towards drawing. As far back as elementary school, I can remember spending most of the day drawing little cartoons. When I got to high school I learned to paint a little bit,” he said.
He began exploring mediums as his early interest in art developed into his life long passion. Crowell continued to produce art alongside his career in engineering that he began in 1976.
“I think you can see the influences in drafting within the pieces with the way I use hard lines,” he explained.
While most of the show’s pieces have been created in recent years, some of Crowell’s earlier work is also included such as “Chocko Takes a Hike” which focuses on natural imagery.
This offers viewers the unique opportunity to see first hand the development his art has gone through over the course of his life.
Today, Crowell emphasizes that he has drastically expanded his technique. He uses a multitude of mediums for his art including traditional painting techniques, spray paint, digital designs, and more. Similarly, the subjects of his work vary dramatically including images of the natural world, human experiences, narratives on time, and more.
Crowell states that his art would be broadly described as “surrealism,” but combines elements from many different styles into something uniquely his own. That being said, art aficionados will likely see the influences from famed surrealist artists such as Salvador Dali and Max Ernst.
For more information, visit galleryespresso.com
