W.R. Rocky Ferris Autoscape Photorealism Art

Rocky Ferris Roxy Drive in

rocky ferris roxy drive-in 3

rocky Ferris roxy drive-in 2

This graphic interpretation of a quintessential shark fin and dual bullet tail light of a ’59 Cadillac captures the essence of this classic GM design. The refined lines of the Caddy are juxtaposed with a cozy couple in their Chevy at the Roxy Brown Lantern Drive-In. W.R. (Rocky) Ferris celebrates his early talent and passion in this screen printed image, number 25 or 58, printed in 1978, with applied water color, and white Conte’ crayon.

rocky ferris 59 corvette 1

rocky ferris 59 corvette 2

rocky ferris 59 corvette

This idyllic image is titled “59 Vette.” It is a W.R. Ferris screen printed image, number 28 of 70, with applied water color, and white Conte’ crayon. It depicts a scene common to many households, particularly during those “lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer.” We washed and waxed the car by hand, of course, collectors still eschew any other methods. My fourth grade teacher had a ’59 Corvette just like this, a gift from her father upon her graduation from college. The details of the checkered flag are even noted in this nostalgic, photorealistic homage to the past and the car of your dreams.

rocky ferris 54 corvette

rocky ferris 54 corvette 2

rocky ferris 54 corvette 2

This image is titled “1954 Corvette.” It is a screen printed image, number 2 of 97, with applied water color, and white Conte’ crayon. It depicts a view from the buyer’s perspective of the steering wheel, dashboard, and surrounding cars on a car lot. The artist attends with passion, graphically, to the infinite details of the industrial design including the speedometer, the tachometer, oil pressure gauge, … A ‘ vette enthusiast will feel like they are in the driver’s seat.

rocky ferris kissimmee

rocky ferris kissimmee 1

rocky ferris kissimmee 2

Back in the day, fuel stations dispensed not only gasoline but service “with a smile.” Gasoline, including Texaco, at this service station was pumped, oil levels were checked, windshields were wiped, self-service was not even a concept in consideration. The artist who at the time spent winters in Marathon, Florida, illustrated this open bay garage located in Kissimmee. The perfect backdrop for a period film shoot. The details in both the classic vintage cars, as well as the scenic landscape are fine examples of photorealistic style. The image is not dated formally, however, if one looks closely, the artist uses the date of completion in the license plate: 31678. It is a W.R. (Rocky) Ferris screen printed image, from 1978, number 27 of 53, with applied water color, and white Conte’ crayon.

rocky ferris artist description

This and three other hand tinted prints by Walter Rockford Ferris, aka Rocky Ferris, were purchased in the summer of 1978 at the Ann Arbor, Michigan Arts Festival. They have been displayed in one residence or another in the family since that time. We disassembled this and the other pieces to clean, photograph, and replace the acid free backer, prior to listing in its original metal, period 70s frame.

“Walter is one of those unusual person who has combined all phases of his life to make them work for him and he expresses them within his work. He is an artist and always has been.
It was his childhood goal. His appreciation for quality, design, and presentation was introduced in his youth in New England. His preoccupation with autos began in his teens and was rekindled with his first antique auction ten years later. At 30, Walter changed his occupation from commercial artists to fine artist and started drawing what he loved… autoscapes.
It is the individuality of the most commonplace, especially during the 30s, 40s, 50s, that has inspired him to recreate this mood. He has exhibited in numerous national shows, lives in Florida in winter, Michigan in summer, and drives a Plymouth Woody.”

His work is in private, corporate, and public collections. He has received numerous commissions, and prestigious awards at art festivals.

His individual style has evolved over the years he describes as “many lives.” Living on a boat and creating miniatures for years, then back on land with a studio, he describes his work as “Tropical Surrealism.” He no longer paints simply photorealistic images, he makes “the normal seem abnormal and abnormal seem normal… surrealism.” A member and an instructor at the Key West Art Center, Key West, Florida, as of 2006. Discovered through numerous sites and links, he may be quoted as stating that “photorealistic images of which are not real or present and come from my mind are what make me feel truly creative.”

Devil and Nun Two Faces Duality Bronze

Devil and Nun match holder
Devil and Nun Match holder
DevilandNun Match holder-b-9622
Devil and Nun Match holder
DevilandNun Match holder-b-9619

This study in contrast of good and evil, heaven and hell- duality, features the face of a nun in habit as well as the face of a devil. It is a nice bronze piece probably produced as a match holder. It was used as a desk accessory to hold paper clips since the time we purchased it at a store that sold pricey collectible art and antiques in Cincinnati in the 80s. It has a beautiful patina wrought from age.

This provocative, and stunning bronze cast may be associated with the story of Sister Magdalena of the Cross, a renowned Franciscan nun born in Cordoba, Spain in 1487, and died in 1560. Stories depict her as a false mystic, “the devils’s saint for 40 years”, with scathing tests of faith, and her repentance made to “escape the evil pact.” More can be discovered concerning this fascinating story through this link, among others, http://www.mysticsofthechurch.com/2011/12/sister-magdalena-of-cross-nun-who-made.html.

Measurements 4″ wide x 3″ tall x 1 1/2″ deep

James Harold Jennings

James Harold Jennings

Self Taught, Outsider, and Folk Art” by Betty-Carol Sellen describes James Harold Jennings as having been raised and “lived with his mother, a school teacher, until she died in 1974.” Jennings works ranged from bird houses, ferris wheels, angels; all colorful constructions. He used graphic symbols some target like, resembling pointillism, often included verbiage which added luminous humor to the assemblages. His “Tufgh” women beating up on men were frequent subjects for his apparently bawdy sense of humor.

Crushed Velvet Neon Heart Light

velvet Neon Heart velvetNeonHeart-b--3

Turn on your love light with this neon crushed velvet heart. This sensual prop was originally created as a decorative focal point for the Valentine’s Day dinner seatings and party at a trendy restaurant and lounge. Made of velvet, with a wood base, the red neon surrounds the heart in a halo of seductive light. It is powered by a solid state transformer, with 6′ cord, which plugs into a 120V (house current) grounded receptacle. The entire piece weighs less than 20#, complete with hanger assembly.

Measurements: 42″ tall, 44″ wide, 4.5″ deep

Black Clay New Mexico Pueblo Pitcher Cup

Black Clay New Mexico Pueblo Pitcher Cup

Black Clay New Mexico Pueblo Pitcher Cup

Black Clay New Mexico Pueblo Pitcher Cup

We purchased this small pitcher cup in the early 90s at an estate sale of a prominent, well traveled family who lived in Cincinnati along with another pitcher and a simple, similarly styled and fired black bowl. We believe it to be from the late 40s or early 50s purchased among other significant treasures from a trip west before their children were born and raised. The clay, glaze and firing are indicative of Pueblo pottery, particularly San Ildefonso, such as the black on black pottery made famous by the late Maria Martinez. While this piece exhibits less stylization, and unfortunately no signature, we believe it, and the other objects procured simultaneously, were made in the same era as Maria Martinez’s early work.

Measurements: 7″ tall, 3.5″ diameter, 5″ wide including handle

Vintage Artist Made Large Pumpkin Orange Appalachian Basket

 Large Pumpkin Orange Appalachian Basket

 Large Pumpkin Orange Appalachian Basket

This beautifully made naturally dyed woven wood pumpkin orange basket was purchased at a juried outdoor art and craft event in the mid-west in the 80s. It is large, double handled, with very nice detailed weaving techniques. Clean in excellent vintage condition this lovely basket was originally made as a piece to be displayed. Well constructed, it could also serve practical means for light garden use for gathering flowers, or herbs, or beans…. Definitely feature this basket over the harvest season and Thanksgiving to convey abundance.

Vintage Large Handmade Split Willow Triple Handle Woven Basket

woven willow basket

woven willow basket

A beautifully hand woven split and natural willow basket. It was purchased in the 80s at a juried art and craft fair in the midwest. Large and fully functional, it was originally made and then purchased as a display piece. A great piece around which to build a collection of fine baskets or as an addition to your existing group.