S. Ross Browne Apotheosis Avenue_oil on canvas 52x64 2019
Born in Mount Vernon, New York, S. Ross Browne studied Art and Design at Virginia Commonwealth University under Dr. Murry DePillars and photography at The Corcoran School of Art. A professional studio artist of over 30 years, he is mainly a figurative painter and has exhibited domestically and internationally in over 70 gallery and museum exhibitions. His artwork is in the permanent collections of the Virginia Museum of Fine Art, Valentine Museum, Black History Museum of Virginia and Virginia Commonwealth University plus such private collections as the Try Me Gallery (Pam and Bill Royall), Dr. Monroe Harris, and the estate of Peggy Cafritz (The Duke Ellington School of the Arts, Washington DC).
As an Illustrator, Browne has produced artwork for various publications including St. Martin’s Press, The U.S. Department of the Interior, The McDonald’s Corporation of Northern California, The ACLU, Jacaranda Books, Star Line Journal of the SFPA and The Pulp Fiction publication.
As a muralist S. Ross Browne has completed works in New York and in various cities in Virginia. Highlights include 1222 Parkwood Ave., Schneider Laboratories, 12th and Hull St., the Sankofa Orchard, Johnny On The Spot Inc., The Boys and Girls club of Newport News as part of the Marshall Ridley Federal Grant initiative, The Woodberry Forest School Windows and Mirrors Project and The Children’s Hospital at VCU Health in Richmond Virginia. Browne was also an inaugural participating and published artist of the acclaimed Mending Walls Mural Project. As S Ross Browne prepares to participate in this year’s Caribbean Fine Art Fair, we had the pleasure of speaking to him about his work.
Thank you for agreeing to catch up with Occhi Magazine. For readers unfamiliar with you and your background, what drew you to a career in the arts?
I was always an artist in the way. I was who I was more so than what I did, so I guess it was a natural evolution of sorts to be working as an artist professionally. But, in my formative years, I was usually supported in my creative endeavors because I seemed to be passionate about them but also because I showed promise in my nascent skill. As I matriculated my support grew and opportunities materialized. As creating artistically did not feel like work as I understood it, it seemed like a blessing to do something for a living that was soul-nourishing. The business of art can often be an art form in and of itself and the most worklike aspect of the craft for me. On the whole, the scalability and variation of the art business is an attractive quality of the avocation.
Who were your early influences and how did they impact your career?
My early influences were the support from my family and art teachers. Having access to a large home library including art publications as well as being a part of a family that collected art helped show me the value of what I created. Later in life, I was influenced by my fellow artists and educators like Dr. Murray N. Depillars. Life experience in the world of art helps shape and mold every artist even as they help to inspire younger artists as well. Lessons both timely and hard are a part of the growth of every artist.
Which three traits define you as an artist?
Intelligent curiosity
Compassionate interconnectedness
A tenacious creative pursuit of artistic enlightenment
Please tell us more about your featured work in this year’s CaFA event. Please share your inspiration for each piece
I have one painting to date but possibly two. “The Trobairitz” Acrylic on wood. This artwork was painted for the exhibition: CULTURE, COLOR, & CUBISM: ARTISTS RESPOND TO PABLO & ROMY at the Mint Museum & Nine Eighteen Nine Gallery in Charlotte, North Carolina. Romy of course being a historic black artist Romare Bearden. The muse is the singer-songwriter Ms. Jaylin Brown, who posed in the studio for the painting. The guitar portion of the painting is left with the natural substrates surface and texture. The painting is a departure from my usually concept-heavy depictions and becomes more classical in temperature, composition, production, and even in the style of guitar playing (classical) represented. What isn’t part of the norm for the art world at large is the classical and respectful depiction of a full-figured contemporary black woman without utilizing any of the cliche tropes often utilized by those embroiled in cultural appropriation.
Please tell us more about your approach to producing work and choice of medium. Do you apply a particular methodology and process when creating new pieces?
My methodology is often activist in nature. I seek to create images that explore compositions of the human form and the juxtaposition of perceptions and misconceptions associated with sensitive socio-political dynamics past and present. But from a technical standpoint, it is usually very classical in approach. I do extensive research, utilize models, build my own substrates, and stretch my own canvases. I work in many different mediums but usually, I work in oil.
What other projects are in the pipeline?
I am finishing a Black Tarot project, and completing works for publication featuring my Self Evident Truths Series. I am on a body of work that is grand in scope but not ready for public mention. I will be working on a massive mural for Virginia State University. I will also be finishing the cataloging process for my series of C-41 process photographs dating back to 1985.
Where can our readers find out more about you?
It is usually best to google S. Ross Browne as I am on many different websites and representations. My personal website is being revamped but is still viewable at srossbrowne.com although it hasn’t been updated since 2019. I have an e-commerce site at browneartistic.com and my social media aspects are: @srossbrowne, facebook.com/S.RossBrowne.Artist, art.beautifyearth.com/artists/srossbrowne, saatchiart.com/account/artworks/896435
The CaFA Fair Barbados returns to Bagnall’s Point Gallery, Pelican Village Craft Center, Bridgetown, Barbados from March 6 – 10, 2024, featuring 45 artists and galleries representing 16 Caribbean nations, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, UK, and the USA. For further information, please visit the official website
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