Frank T. Gee
presented a program for MAS
the "nature" of Watercolors
on Sunday, Nov 14th at the VFW Hall
73 New Shackle Island Road, Hendersonville, TN
behind The Wine Cellar
Gee said he knew as a child that he would become an artist. As a kid in school, he was incorrigible. Not a conformist and not one to follow the rules, from what he said. In spite of this, he eventually graduated from Memphis Academy of Arts. Besides being an artist, he is an extremely knowledgeable biologist. Which is why his paintings of birds, fish, and other wildlife are so incredible. They are so incredibly accurate.
He paints "from memory" or what other artists call "paint what you know." He calls his work "Heart Paintings." His watercolors are very loose wet on wet. While he is working on a piece, he leans it in his hallway and looks at it each time he walks by... sees what needs to be changed.
Gee also does fish-rubbings, more properly called "gia taca." These were traditionally done to illustrate how large a fish one had caught... you ink up the fish and do a rubbing onto paper so no one can dispute your claim.
We watched as he completely saturated Bristol Illustration Board with water and then quickly created several ducks with a few strokes of his brush. Favorite colors for a grey sky and the ducks are Payne's Grey and Sap Green. He says he never cleans his pallet.
Pay special attention to the "easels" supporting Frank's paintings... he chuckles that they are free down at the funeral home. They are flower stands! Not only free, but they are strong, fold up easily, and are very lightweight.
Frank T. Gee lives in a Pre-Civil War house at 1711 Nashville Pike in Gallatin. He invited us to come visit his studio and he will do framing for us.
Frank T. Gee's bio:
He was born in 1948 in Canton, China. After his family fled during the Communist Revolution, he grew up in Nashville and graduated from the Memphis Academy of Arts.
After working a couple of years as a layout artist and illustrator for the Methodist Publishing House, Frank opened his own studio to reproduce and distribute his limited edition prints. In the past two decades, many organizations have recognized Frank Gee's work with First Place, Purchase, and Best of Show Awards;, including Central South Art Competition, Tennessee Watercolor Society, Tennessee All-State Competition, and The American Society of Animal Artists. His work has been used for fund-raising by many nature societies and he has been widely published.
Frank Gee's oriental heritage is an integral part of his life as well as his art. He believes that the simple and yet perfect rhythms of nature are reflected in the traditions of the orient. As an avid fisherman, canoeist, hiker, and backpacker, Frank is intimately acquainted with nature - the source of all his art.
"Simplicity would have to be the word that most fully characterizes my art. As human beings living in a fast-moving, aggressive society, we tend to over-complicate matters. We become so concerned with details that we fail to comprehend the true essence - the simple truth - of the life which surrounds us. The oriental tradition of art is based on communication through the simplicity of nature."
Frank Gee's art combines the two diverse cultures that have shaped his life. The ancient traditions of his oriental heritage combined with the modern-day sophistication of his American upbringing, make his fine art prints unique and exciting.
Frank T. Gee's Gallery is located at 1711 Nashville Pike, Gallatin.
