CJ Hurley to be featured at Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County’s August First Friday Open House
Join us on Friday, August 5, 2022, from 5 to 9 pm for a First Friday open house at the beautiful Sehner-Ellicott-von Hess House at 123 N. Prince Street, Lancaster, PA, in the heart of Gallery Row. We will be hosting CJ Hurley for a one-night-only pop-up art show.
The Lyrical Landscape
Recent Paintings by CJ Hurley
“Experiencing nature, the landscape, and the built and natural environments that surround us has the power to transform our being. But truly the most powerful part of the experience is our personal interpretation of it.” – CJ Hurley
CJ Hurley believes art should be an important part of life, integrated into our living environments rather than relegated to museums and institutions. His current work focuses on the study of humans in balance with nature.
CJ interprets the world with his paintings, and his landscapes reveal places of peace and bountifulness amidst nature’s splendor. He believes that both art and nature can transform who we are as humans. Striking compositions and attention to detail define the artist’s integration of art and nature. In his painted world, life is rich in natural color and texture, and human-made structures are attentively composed with their surroundings. While many of his artworks show the interwoven relationship between natural and built environments, his landscapes, in particular, aim to portray the raw and unrefined elements of wild nature that he so admires.
In his current series of paintings titled “The Lyrical Landscape,” he primarily paints with watercolor on hand-made paper, the papers adding their own beauty and organic quality to the finished work. He sees these paintings as a synthesis of his ultimate vision of Nature, interpreted as pure, paradisiacal, and infallible. It is a vision of the world where people are guests of a majestic and sacred place – not despoilers, exploiters, and profiteers. He is pointing at the mystery and wonder of things and hopes people will take away a new sense of awe and respect for our precious world after viewing the paintings.
Although CJ interprets the world with his paintings, he believes his art isn’t complete until people view it, and find their own personal, meaning through their examination. He is pleased to have the opportunity to show his work during Lancaster’s First Friday. In addition to his original paintings, he will have prints, puzzles, note cards, and 2023 calendars made from his original art.
Originally from the Mid-Hudson River Valley of NY, CJ and his wife, Barbara, have lived in six states, fixing up old houses along their journey. While living in Portland, OR, Barbara left her corporate design job to join CJ in the studio. In 2016 they moved from Portland to be closer to family in NY and NC, choosing Oil City, PA, as their forever home. They were attracted by the nearby forests and state parks and the ability to have studio space in the famous National Transit Building along the banks of Oil Creek and the Allegheny River, where they operate Century Arts Design and Fine Art Studio. In addition to CJ’s art, they specialize in design and consultation for owners of old homes and period-style new homes across the country. They will have information about their design services available during First Friday.
CJ is recognized nationally as a Roycroft Renaissance Master Artist in Painting. He is dedicated to keeping alive the tradition of high-quality hand-crafted work and hopes to inspire young creatives to explore their passions.
For details about the artwork, visit: https://cjhurley.com/
Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County Items for Sale
Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County
The Trust was established in 1966 to help “stem the rapid destruction of historic properties in Lancaster County.” Through the years, the Trust has been active in helping to preserve many historic properties in Lancaster County that contribute to their respective communities as unique places for people to live, work, and play.
Our equation for success has been working for over 50 years. Look around you and know that our advocacy and direct action have resulted in saving hundreds of historic structures and other sites throughout the county. The flip side is that not everything can and should be saved. The Trust continually faces this delicate balance and works closely with all parties involved to reach an equitable decision for all. Sadly, it sometimes takes an irreplaceable loss to a community before preservation moves higher on the priority list.