By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — A new exhibit opening tonight at Kortman Gallery blends the realistic and the surreal as an emerging Rockford artist showcases his portraiture series.
Braydon Letsinger will debut “Starting at Strangers: becoming acquainted with humanity through portraiture” in an opening reception from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. tonight at the upstairs gallery at J.R. Kortman Center for Design, 107 N. Main St. in downtown.
His paintings combine traditional portraiture with geometric, abstract patterns in conjunction with contemporary materials like holographic film, fluorescent paint and aluminum panels.
“All of my work focuses on what I consider to be the most interesting, but most confusing subject – people and their inner workings,” Letsinger said in a news release. “For me, portraiture has been a way to break down barriers to more deeply understand others around me, and to begin to connect my viewers with these painted ‘strangers’ who are more similar to them than they realize.”
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Letsinger initially pursued a career in criminal justice, but changed his path and earned a major in studio arts at Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas. The majority of Letsinger’s somber-faced subjects were fellow students and faculty at the university.
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Letsinger approached Kortman Gallery more than a year ago with a portfolio of his work, according to gallery director Doc Slafkosky.
“The caliber of Braydon’s work showed that he was a serious, and most certainly, talented, aspiring artist,” Slafkosky said in a news release. “His unique combination of traditional realist painting with modern, colorful imagery is approachable, while still honoring the painting tradition and keeping his work relevant and fresh.”
The exhibit will run through Aug. 31.
Know before you go | Staring at Strangers
What: “Starting at Strangers: becoming acquainted with humanity through portraiture” by Braydon Letsinger
Where: Kortman Gallery, 107 N. Main St., Rockford
Opening reception: 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, June 30 (exhibit runs through Aug. 31)
Hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday
Info: jrkortman.com or 815-968-0123.
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas