Modern Masters: Terry Evans and Claude Monet

Art is not easily defined. Unlike history, it cannot be understood simply by the chronology of key figures, movements or dates. Rather, art is one grand conversation between artists of the past and those working in the present. On the walls of York Fine Arts that conversation continues to resound, as the foundations laid by yesterday’s masters are built upon by the artists of today.

Terry Evans and Claude Monet

Despite being born over a century apart, Claude Monet, the audacious founding father of French Impressionism, and Terry Evans, a vibrant, leading landscape artist of today, have much in common.

Although reviled by the conservative art world of 19th century Paris, Claude Monet, aligned with a group of like-minded artistic rebels including Renoir, Pissaro and Degas, changed the face of art forever with their dashes, dabs and squiggles. The founding principle of impressionism was to relate one’s impression of a scene, over the nature of the scene. It therefore comes as no surprise that when looking at Monet’s paintings, one is entirely swept up in the emotion of the piece. Carried in his symphony of exuberant and intuitive brushstrokes, one experiences what the artist felt as he stood amid the birdsong of his beloved Giverny, marvelling at the light as it danced across the surface of the lily ponds. It is clear when experiencing his work, that for Monet nature was joy. 

'Le Bassin aux nymphéas, harmonie rose' by Claude Monet		'High Summer' by Terry Evans

It is this same sentiment of delight and celebration that strikes when viewing Terry Evans’ work. Terry revels in the sumptuous greenery of the British countryside, painting light-smattered woodlands and glittering streams with a verve that is undeniably impressionistic. Like Monet, Terry paints with a startling combination of energy and precision, amplified with his masterful execution of the impasto technique. With impasto, the paint is applied in thick layers, either with a brush or palette knife and lifted from the canvas, yielding rich texture and creating an almost sculptural effect. Embracing the spirit of impressionism, Terry uses the impasto technique to enhance the swaying and stirring of the natural world, drawing the viewer deeper into his lush landscapes.

Like that of Monet’s, the appeal of Terry’s work is timeless. Embracing the instinctual and joyous essence of impressionism, Terry applies his own unique vision and technique to create striking and distinct pieces. Richly evocative of the abundance of the British landcape, Terry Evans' light-bathed, exquisitely textured paintings prove masterpieces for the modern age.