Artist Bailey VanKirk, a native of the western Lake Erie island area, works out of her Cleveland Heights, Ohio studio.
VanKirk's medium is traditional oil paint on canvas favoring a style reminiscent of the Flemish Baroque still life.
Her first major series entitled "Nature Morte", (Fr.- 'Still Life'), evokes strong emotion from audiences. The work is based on the practice of taxidermy depicting animals caught between death and the immortalization of their outward beauty.
VanKirk holds a Bachelor of Fine Art from Kent State University in Ohio.
She divides her creative time between painting and honing her skills as a taxidermist.
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VanKirk has been a fisherman all of her life. An early interest in angling was encouraged by her mother, artist and former Lake Erie fishing guide, Laura A. Brown. Visit her mother's art site at www.desdemonas.net
Inspired by stepfather D'Arcy Egan, outdoors writer for the Plain Dealer in Cleveland and host of the television show "Outdoors Ohio with D'Arcy Egan", www.outdoorsohio.com , VanKirk and husband James Cagle have endeavored to learn the art of hunting as well.
"As a painter my most compelling subject matter comes from man's interaction with nature. Humans are the top of the food chain, and because we are the only animal to cognitively understand that concept, we are responsible for maintaining the chain's integrity. I attempt in my work to convey the beauty of nature's gifts and the reality of its necessary sacrifices." - Bailey VanKirk
P A I N T I N G S
Spending the summer of 2011 revisiting her beloved Lake Erie islands, VanKirk produced amazing images of the Catawba Cliffs, the best bars on Put-In-Bay and Great Blue Herons.
Bailey Van Kirk is also open to creating commissioned artwork.
