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Artist's Vitae
Behind the Works
Bruce I. Campbell
Fine Artist
Bruce I. Campbell is a native Washingtonian who grew up in Mitchellville, Maryland, where he began his preoccupation with art at the age of five. He graduated from DuVal Senior High School and earned a Bachelor in Fine Arts and a Masters Degree in Applied Management from the University of Maryland. He has been perfecting his skills in Silver Spring, Maryland were he resides, and also maintains a studio, the "Atelier BIC". Bruce's artistic vocation has intensified as he fulfills major objectives.
Establishing the Atelier BIC
It is a traditional art space, workshop, study environment for aspiring artists. The Atelier provides Bruce and emerging artists with an opportunity to draw, practice, exhibit, discover and rediscover standards by Fine Art masters. Bruce teaches and practices art basics and realistic drawing. He provides drawing demonstrations, personal instruction, constructive criticism and encouragement. His theory for tutoring is an application of direct observation and corrective drawing. His approach incorporates commitment, discipline, and practice in representational art.
Painting compliments Bruce's work from his home studio. Many works have spiritual and religious themes. He also embarks on ambitious epic oil paintings after major events; the "Million Man March" and "DC Carnival Parade” are completed projects. His current painting-in-progress is "9-11 View from the Pentagon.” Bruce’s current shows include religious paintings in The Pope John Paul II Center, in Washington, DC and an Alumni exhibit at the Prince Georges Community College in Maryland.
Weekly drawing sessions from live models
This is the forum that has reconfirmed Bruce's devotion to realism over the last 15 years. He works, studies, and discusses art with colleagues at the Atelier Royal in Riverdale, Maryland. Bruce, who prefers to draw with oil paint, asserts that drawing-based art is the key regardless of the medium. He is convinced that artists of today have been disillusioned if they do not apply life drawing in their work. Along with Atelier members, the artist examines the root of Modernism as a means to reestablish time-honored traditional techniques based in drawing for the 21st century.
Working from models, still life arrangements, and actual reference objects are the major tools used for motivating the class. The students observe life subjects to develop spatial relationships of objects and figures to gain confidence in capturing a realistic and accurate image of the subject matter. This method is used in tandem with Bruce's personal philosophy of art and works incredibly well.
The National Gallery of Art (NGA) Copyist Program
Bruce began the program in September of 1995. He completed his first independent exercise, "Young Woman with Peonies" by Frederic Bazille (ca. 1870). His second copy was "Two Women In A Window" by Murillo (1690). Progressively, he has completed "Colonel Guy Johnson" by Benjamin West (1776); "Wivenhoe Park" by John Constable (1863); "Beach at Normandy" by Courbet (1800); "Voyage of Life - Manhood" by Thomas Cole (1876); ”Still Life” by Willem Kalf (1660); "Bay of Rio" by Heade (1876); "Natural Arch at Capri" by Hazeltine (1871); "Still life with Fruit and Carafe" by Saraceni Pensionate (1610); "The Holy Family at the Step" Follower of Poussin (n.d.); "Suiot Egypt" by Gilford (ca.1800); "Stranded Ship" by Durand (ca.1800); “Venice: Dogana” by Turner (1834); “Jesus Cleansing the Temple” by El Greco (ca.1570); The "Last Supper” by S. Ricci (1714); “The Martyrdom of St. Lucy” by Veronese (1582); “The Apostle Paul” by Rembrandt (1657); and “The Meeting of Abraham & Melchizedek” by Rubens (1629).
A successful painting copy from master artists at the National Gallery's West Wing Permanent Collection takes knowledge and dedication to detail, classical art, and drawing. Through these "original replicas" using only God-given skills (direct observation) to practice proportion scaling, palette matching, subject studying, and skill testing from this National Treasure, has gained Bruce renewed respect and enhanced skills from those who provided mankind with centuries of unsurpassed competence and beauty.
Bruce Campbell served as Artist-In-Residence at Thomas Elementary in DC for many years and continues as a judge for the annual US Congressional Artistic Discovery Competition. He is a current member of Oil Painters of America, Montgomery County, Maryland Art Association (MCAA), the Strathmore Hall Artist Association, other Washington, DC metro area art organizations and venues. Bruce’s current shows include religious paintings in The Pope John Paul II Center and an alumni exhibit at the Prince Georges Community College. He can be commissioned for life drawings and paintings. Bruce Campbell also prepares and plans to participate in upcoming art exhibits and competitions.
Still Life with Fruit and Carafe
Oil on Linen
Bruce Campbell Copy Master (2000)
After: Pensionante Saracenci (1610)
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