Camas
resident David Gerton says that even though he’s into “this stuff some
call 'art,' " he doesn’t like to call himself an 'artist'.” Maybe
fisherman is more like it. Gerton creates lifelike, life-sized models
from the animal kingdom, most often of native fish. His reproductions
glow against black backgrounds, as if a salmon has just been caught in a
flash of sunlight penetrating the darkness of a deep pool. “Something Fishy Is Going On,” an exhibit of Gerton's copper foil
creations, will be on display at Second Story Gallery through January.
Gerton
is modest about the sideline he has created, a skill that involves
hammering foil--about twice as thick as kitchen wrap--into
three-dimensional sculptures that have depth and natural colorations.
He uses patinas, transparent inks, washes and a small blow torch to
achieve a result that looks like each fish has been reeled in, dripping,
from the water.
Because the
thin foil is not supported by a mold that most embossers rely on, Gerton
mounts his work under glass on stark black backgrounds so that the
salmon, other game fish and a turtle or two, resemble trophies from a
lifetime of fishing trips. Gerton
says his goal is to create works, specifically fish, animals and other
things found in nature, which are beautiful and bring back memories for
those who are viewing his creations. "I've had people ask if I caught
the fish, not knowing that it's made of copper," he recounts. He
admits he's a fisherman in real life but tends to release the wild
varieties.
He has devised a trick
or two to achieve lifelike qualities and once in a while he turns to his
imagination. "Look for the Double Rainbow Trout in the show," he
says. "It never existed but it looks cool," and he adds there is some
tongue-in-cheek verbiage to go along with it.
As
President and CEO of a Tualatin lighting design firm, Gerton says he
hesitates to call himself an artist. “I reserve the term ‘artist’ for
those people who are truly recognized as talented,” he says,
acknowledging no formal training beyond a third grade art class taught
by Miss Brandt in 1952.
A highlight of First Friday at Second Story Gallery will be holiday music performed by Oregon Symphony violinist Clarisse Atcherson. She will be joined by Lucia Atkinson and Amber Gold, also on violin.
Atcherson is the wife of featured artist David Gerton, who will be unveiling his work in a show called "Something Fishy is Going On." Gerton creates lifelike game fish and other animals from thin sheets of copper he hammers and colors.
Musician Atcherson and artist Gerton have lived in Camas eight years, although she has been playing with the Oregon Symphony as well as teaching violin for much longer. Gerton's show of brilliant species will continue in the Gallery through Jan. 30, 2016.
** SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT **
If you haven't seen the David Gerton exhibit yet it is well worth the trip to the Second Story Gallery to see these unique pieces of art.
Just in time for a holiday purchase, artist David Gerton is marking down the price tags on his lifelike fish decorating Second Story Gallery. Prices are currently 15 to 20 percent lower than at the shows unveiling, according to Gerton.
