ARTIST’S STATEMENT
Watercolor as a medium, has always been an ideal choice for me because it feels like a natural extension of myself. Its spontaneous qualities of transparency and viscosity, produce results which seem like expressions of mind and spirit. To preserve those qualities of watercolor is a great challenge, which has required a long period of almost scientific observation, as to how the medium actually behaves (unlike other mediums which to me seem inert). The process of painting itself requires entering into an interactive dialogue with that behavior. Specific and detailed depictions or renderings are ill-suited for this medium, which more naturally supports the kind of flow and transitional qualities associated with memory and dreams.
Watercolor artists who have influenced me include Winslow Homer, John Singer Sargent, John Constable, Charles Reid, and Alvaro Castagnet among others. My work is situated somewhere between impressionistic and expressionistic, but seems to be evolving all the time as I explore new ideas. My favorite settings include everywhere maritime, from the coast of Maine to the Hudson River. Urban scenes, from both this country and abroad, as well as landscapes are also of interest.
BIOGRAPHY
Ray was born and brought up in the state of Maine. He has had a successful career as a professional urban and environmental planner, designer and teacher in the US, Europe and Latin America. As a professional, his principal interest was the relationship of people’s experience with the built environment. To this end he approached the visual world as a language of use and feeling. This was the topic of a book he wrote called Architecture and the Urban Experience published by Van Nostrand Reinhold in New York in 1983.
After living and working in Europe and New York City for decades, Ray moved “up river” to the Mid-Hudson area where he was Senior Planner for the environmental organization Scenic Hudson and eventually became a consultant. He studied art in New York City at the Art Student League and Parsons School of Design. He later also studied at the Woodstock School of Art. Initially Ray worked in Kingston and now he works in his own studio in Olivebridge, NY, where he has his home. Since 2009, he had solo shows in numerous venues including the Arts Society of Kingston, the Hudson River Maritime Museum in Kingston, as well as being in several group and juried shows in the Mid-Hudson region. He has been the recipient of various awards for his work.
Ray was also a founding member and vice president of the Kingston Midtown Arts District in Kingston.
Solo Shows
Hudson River Maritime Museum, Kingston, NY / Feb.2020. Hudson River Landmarks Journey
Artist Residency and Show, Victoria County Creates, Baddeck, Nova Scotia, Canada / Oct 2016
Mid Hudson River Federal Credit Union, Kingston, NY / Sept 2014
Clearwater Home Port Center, Kingston, NY / June 2013
Hudson River Maritime Museum, Kingston, NY / June 2011
Esopus Library, Duck Pond Gallery, Port Ewen, NY / Feb 2010
Art Society of Kingston, Kingston, NY / July2010
Kingston Central Library, Kingston, NY / Dec 2010
Half Moon Book Store, Kingston, NY / April 2010
Hudson Catskill Bank, Kingston, NY / April 2010Rosendale Cafe, NY / April 2010
Selected Group Shows
Pajama Factory Show, Kingston, NY / Sept 2021
The Lace Mill, Kingston, NY / May 2017
Art Society of Kingston,
The Wired Gallery, High Falls, NY, The Shirt Factory Artists / May 2016
Art Foray at Mohonk Mountain House, Gardner, NY / March 2015
Barrett Art Center, Poughkeepsie, NY / 2007-2009 (Best in Show Award, 2007; Merit Award, 2008)
Art Foray at Mohonk Mountain House, Gardner, NH /Dec 2014
Fine Home Source Show, Paintout and Show, Millbrook, NY / Sept 2014
Art Along the Hudson, 10th Anniversary Show, Coldspring, NY / May 2013
North East Watercolor Society, Members Show, Orange County Com. College/ June 2012 Winner, Excellence Award
Mid-Hudson River Mall, Kingston, Art at the Mall /June 2011
River Center, Beacon, NY. The Great Hudson River Exhibition /Sept 2011
North East Watercolor Society, Annual Show, Kent, Connecticut/ Oct 2011
Woodstock School of Art, Woodstock, NY / Aug 2009, Winner, Richard Segalman Award
PUBLICATIONS & MEDIA COVERAGE
“The Kayaking Artist”, Almanac Weekly / 2014 RCurranAlmanacArticle.pdf
Stories from the Other Side “Occupy Wallstreet” painting used for cover, Pearson, 2014
New Paltz Times, May 23, 2013, “Rondout Creek Paintings” by Ray Curran
“Creating Art in the Shirt Factory” Kingston Life, April 2013, Kingston Life_RCurran2.jpg
Hudson Valley Biz, July 10, 2011, “Natural and Man-Made: An Artist’s Interpretation”
“Cape Breton State of Mind: New York’s Ray Curran is artist in residence", Victoria Standard, October 15, 2010
Art Society of Kingston “Gallery Opens Year with Exhibition" Daily Freeman, Jan 5, 2010
