Grey Cube Gallery proudly presents the second Landscapes online art show for the month of June 2021. The show encompassed a range of artistic styles and mediums (oil on canvas, acrylic, watercolor, pastel, photography, graphite, charcoal, gouache, crayon, digital). Each submission has been judged based on the following elements of artistic expression: orginality and quality of art, overall design, creativity, interpretation of the theme, demonstration of artistic ability and usage of medium. Out of all entries, 97 artworks were shortlisted for inclusion in the show. The competition attracted entries from many countries across the world: USA, Austria, Tiawan, United Kingdom, Sweden, South Korea, Portugal, Australia, Norway, Israel, Italy, China, Germany, Spain, Japan, Canada and France . Enjoy the show and thank you for expressing an interest in our competition.

Eric M Renard (www.ericrenardphotography.com) is a Los Angeles based photographer. Born and raised in the New York City area, Eric spent his summers in Maine, where he was first introduced to photography and learned his way around a darkroom. Eric’s passion for photography was later ignited at Tufts University in Boston, where he studied under Siegfried Halus.

 After graduating, Eric moved to San Francisco as an architectural photographer before moving to Los Angeles. Eric’s unique exposure to both urban and rural living can be seen throughout his work, as he is equally at home in both settings. Whether working in black and white or vibrant colors, his urban cityscapes and rural landscapes often reflect an eerie sense of peace and quiet.

 He work is guided by the visuals which present themselves — a shaft of light screaming for attention, a deep shadow trying to conceal the details that are enshrouded within it, or a lone silhouette giving life to an otherwise stark scene. His images consist of meanings and memories. They tell stories of things he has done and places he has visited. Trekking thru the areas outside of our cities has provided an opportunity to explore the spaces between light and shadow. Majestic trees, rippling sand and water and an endless variety of sky and clouds are some of his favorite subjects. Eric’s photography has been exhibited in galleries in Los Angeles, New York, Seattle, Minnesota and viewed digitally around the world, receiving numerous awards.

My paintings have been exhibited nationally in galleries and museums for over the last 40 years. I am a professor emeritus of Northern Illinois University and prior to that position I was a Scientific Illustrator at the Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago.

I began my career as a studio assistant in a hand print lithography atelier in 1965. I became a master of my own workshop in 1980 printing my own designs and those of other artists. At the turn of the century I turned my interest to acrylic painting.

I have considered myself an artist for as long as I can remember; I don’t recall not being an artist. I was raised in a rural area, and feel blessed to have had that life. It made me appreciate and understand nature and all of its wonders. I was lucky enough to attend art school. The experience enriched my vocabulary, and I am grateful. I am constantly inspired by the forms in nature. It doesn’t matter if I am drawing, painting, sculpting, or weaving; organic forms intrigue me. With each piece I complete, I cannot wait to begin a new one. I am lucky to be surrounded by my muse, and I have never gotten bored or tired of paying homage to it. I love sharing my work, and I can only hope that the viewer can feel the passion and reverence I feel for my subject matter. Whether it’s waves, trees, a landscape, a creature, or an abstracted form I am looking at, the excitement I feel never changes. It is a journey I chose and I hope I never complete. I have been fortunate in my career, and have been awarded, recognized, and published locally, nationally, and internationally. It has been a wonderful life.