Thursday, August 30, 2012

Internationally known high-brow/low-brow artist Rick Reese joins Saddleback College Faculty


 


Posted by CotoBlogzz







Rancho Santa Margarita, CA  – The Division of Fine Arts and Media Technology at Saddleback College announced the addition of internationally known high-brow/low-brow artist Rick Reese as a new addition to its faculty where he will be teaching Intaglio (printmaking) and Relief I-III and Drawing I. 


Art Department Co-Chair, Patricia Levin, raved about Rick saying that he “…brings new energy and a contemporary focus to drawing and printmaking at Saddleback College. His enthusiasm for art is contagious, and I know as a working artist he will be a fantastic role model for our students,” while Art Department Co-Chair, Veronica Obermeyer, stated, “We are excited and proud to have Rick Reese join our department. Rick’s expansive industry and teaching experience will further strengthen our core foundation drawing classes and printmaking.”

Born in Southern California but raised in Northern California, Rick got his start working in the comic book industry (The Simpsons & Futurama) in the early 2000s. The next few years would see him working as a designer and illustrator in the toy industry, making graphics for action sports companies, and working for clients and galleries across Southern California. 

As interest in his gallery work began to grow, Rick was invited to participate in shows both nationally and internationally garnering recognition for his densely-painted pieces that draw inspiration from both “high” and “low” brow culture, occupying the gray area between the two. Shortly after beginning the move to becoming a gallery artist, Rick began teaching at Cal State Long Beach and soon thereafter started working on a master’s degree in order to focus his work and reach a new audience. It was during that time of intensive studio work that Rick began to explore printmaking as a valuable part of his creative process and he began incorporating it into his art. Freely combining traditionally separate disciplines, and continuing to blur traditional and contemporary art practice have naturally been part of both his artwork and teaching experience.

High art is considered artwork that shows a particular style done by a master or innovator, such as Picasso, who had many styles different from others who were painting at the time. He did something completely new that opened the door to more abstract art.

Low art is more like folk art or art done for the masses, such as the Elvis portrait on a velvet canvass.


The Art Department believes that a person’s reflection of life is manifested through his or her art.  Students are able to fully appreciate artistic expressions through study, observation and experience.  The art faculty and staff are committed to offering the strongest foundation in the arts that will allow students success in college as well as in their ongoing roles as artists.
Saddleback College is located at 28000 Marguerite Parkway in Mission Viejo, just east of Interstate 5 at the Avery Parkway exit.  Free parking is available in Lot 12.  Take Avery Parkway to Marguerite Parkway turn left to the third traffic light, which is Saddleback’s Marguerite entrance. Turn right into the campus and take the second left to “Theatre Circle,” turning right into Lot 12.

 


Located in Mission Viejo, Saddleback College provides quality higher education and training to the greater south Orange County community.  Having served more than 500,000 students since 1968, Saddleback College offers more than 300 degree and certificate programs to help students reach their personal, career, and educational goals.  For more information, please visitwww.saddleback.edu.  For Fine Arts events, visit www.saddleback.edu/arts


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