550 Gallery

Fine Art & Gifts

Home     About Us     Contact Us     Site Map     Partners     Gift Shop     Family     On Going Shows     Special Partnerships     Extras     photos of past shows     Upcoming Shows      

Upcoming Shows:

Show runs through September 30th

 


Ray White: Paintings


Also on display:

Michael Kern

 

Pause Stop Previous Next View full-sized photos


 

Ray White's Biography

As a direct descendant of the founder of the State of Connecticut and the son of a teacher and a photographer, Ray White, was  immersed  in art and history from an early age. By the time he was eight years old, he was already taking art lessons with renowned , award winning artist Lois Hamel. He subsequently continued private lessons with his uncle, Jack White which further developed his artistic skills.
    After completing high school, Ray's education at Northwestern Technical College was interrupted when he enlisted in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam Conflict. While in the  Air Force, Ray became an "after hours" artist which led to his position as a combat illustrator for the " Gunfighter Gazette". This led to him being featured in an article about his Air Force combat illustrations in the "Seventh Air Force News". Part of Ray's duties with the " Gunfighter Gazette" included becoming an escort and censor for CBS Evening News correspondent Ed Rabel and cameraman Mike Marriott.
    Upon returning back to the United States, Ray completed his tour by engaging in one of his favorite past times Moto Cross racing. Sponsored by the Air Force, Ray competed throughout the country. Eventually,being stationed in England  led to his becoming the only American to represent Great Britain in this sport.
    In the late 1980's Ray contributed his first illustrations to the United States Air Force art collection. In subsequent decades, his works have consistently been accepted into this prestigious collection. To date, Ray has 12 works of art in the United States Air Force Air and Space Collection including "Triple Nickel", "Max Effort", "Safe Landing" and his latest work "The Last Mission"

As one of only 150 eminent artists accepted into this program, Ray's work can been seen on the Pentagon's website
(
www.afapo.hq.af.mil ) or on Artworks Art Studio website,Ray's art school and studio ( www.nutmegartists.com ).














In Preparation for an upcoming show....

the works of

Michael Kern

               are now on display

Unique By Nature

Born in Brooklyn, NY, Michael Kern, a self-taught artist,

has spent most of his life directly connected to nature.

Part of his childhood was spent at Brooklea Farm in Westchester, CT where he developed his keen observational skills by caring for animals and spending hours in the woods.  Mr. Kern’s farming career has spanned three states including NY, CT, and CO; and he has raised a family along the way.

“Unique By Nature” , his collection of one-of-a kind bowls, although functional leans more toward works of art.  Mr. Kern will explore areas, discovering pieces of raw wood whose shape appeal to his artistic sense.  Bowl structures are largely influenced by unusual tree growth and unpredictable forces of nature. Each bowl is unique in form and texture. The involved process of hand carving each fine layer of the interior and exterior reveal beautiful imperfections.  The bowls are carved almost entirely by hand in order to preserve the subtlest details in grain and color.  Mr. Kern presently resides in Oakville, CT.