W.R. Rocky Ferris Autoscape Photorealism Art

Rocky Ferris Roxy Drive in

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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.

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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

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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

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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
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Devil and Nun Match holder
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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

Vintage Swatch Watch 1984 Chrono-Tech Swatch Rare

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Vintage Swatch Watch 1984 Chrono-Tech

A 1984 Chrono-Tech, rarely found or sold, on Swatch watch collectors must have list! Among the Originals Family of Swatch Watches. It was purchased and worn occasionally. Retro, and highly collectible vintage considered a women’s watch measuring 25 mm in diameter. The Swatch model is LB104 and was produced for the Fall – Winter 1984 Swatch Collection. This is the ladies version of the GB403 Chrono-Tech. Its red band is plastic, it has a black case, with red, blue, and yellow hands. Like all Swatch watches of that era, it is a Swiss quartz, battery operated analog watch which is water resistant to 3 Bar/100′. It has a new battery. It is in very good vintage condition, see photographs.

Measurements: 25.00 mm diameter case, 7.50 mm thick case, 12.00 mm strap width

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

Silver Chevron Memphis Inspired 80s Zig Zag Candlesticks

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Boring, endless research aside, we remain excited about this pair of one of a kind candlesticks. Their design is anything but boring! Originally purchased in the 80s, as designers, we recognize these as another example of works inspired by the international design movement referred to as Memphis. The group, comprised of industrial designers working chiefly in Milan, Italy included Ettore Sottssass, Matteo Thun, Peter Shire, George Sowden, Michele De Lucchi, Nathalie du Pasquier, Marco Zannini, … The influence of the then avante-garde design was also seen stateside. The playful geometry, including chevrons, or zig zags, and circles on these extraordinary candlesticks; a nod to modern or post modern design.

Believed to be solid sterling, unmarked by artist, designer, or maker, these candlesticks are beautiful, individually made, sand cast. While the patina from decades of storage was lovely, we chose to clean and polish them prior to photographing them. They have never been used for anything but display, obvious from the design and pristine condition of the candle holders.

Measurements: 8″ tall x 5″ wide x 2″ deep

Modernist Still Life Handmade Puzzle “Painting”

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This is a wonderful modernist floral still life that is also a 26 piece puzzle. Quarter inch furniture grade plywood was used for the puzzle. The pieces appear to have first been cut then a light stain was applied to the tops and sides of specific puzzle pieces. It was made and signed by the artist “Kari.” We found it at an estate sale in the midwest assembled and placed in an acrylic “frame” with backing sold with frame which may be hung like a painting.

Measurements: approximately 8″ x 10″ x 1.25″