Robert Felker and Allen Monsarrat: Magic in Everyday Life
September 4-25, 2020
Robert Felker and Allen Monsarrat: Magic in Everyday Life
Opening reception: Friday, September 4, 5:00-7:00 PM
Gallery hours: Wednesdays, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM and other days (Monday-Friday 9 AM – 5 PM) by appointment only. Please note, the Emporium will be closed Monday, September 7, for the holiday.
Robert Felker and Allen Monsarrat paint recognizable subjects, drawn from the world around them, often featuring scenes of Knoxville or other travels. For both artists, the play of light in a chosen scene is a priority and highlights their adeptness within each’s chosen medium. Strong compositions draw viewers in; Felker and Monsarrat’s brush work is markedly different, providing a contrast between the two artists’ unique approach to painting.
Robert Felker has a BFA in Media Arts from the School of Visual Arts, New York City where he studied painting and illustration. After seven years as a freelance illustrator, he then worked in graphic design for more than twenty years while continuing to paint for himself and do commissions. He now paints full-time, focusing on personal work for exhibition and commissions. He also pursues public art opportunities, recently completing the Clinch Avenue Firefly Mural for the City of Knoxville and the Bijou Theatre’s 111th Anniversary Commemorative Mural. Visit his website at https://robertfelker.com and follow him on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/robertfelkerart and Instagram at @robertfelker_art.
In college, Allen Monsarrat first studied architecture and then graduated with a BFA concentrating in pottery. His first art career was as a studio potter in Friendsville, TN for 25 years, followed by a career in decorative wall finishes, faux painting, cabinetry finishing and the occasional mural project. Never one to sit still, he turned his attention to fine art painting which has developed into a concentration on representational work, including photorealism (paintings intended to look like photographs). Monsarrat began working in pastels in 2018 to counter his tendency towards too much realism. Visit his website at www.monsarratart.com.