 Abraxas to show work in Milton By Sara Graham, Staff Reporter  This work, called “Gordon’s Pond” compliments Abraxas’ Cape Henlopen State Park series, and will be available for sale in limited edition prints at the opening reception on Saturday at the Federal Street Gallery. Abraxas, a Lewes native and talented artist will bring his work back to Sussex County at the Federal Street Gallery in Milton, starting with the opening reception on Saturday. The artist’s love of painting began when he was a child, and he started putting out professional work at the age of 14. From the beginning, he wanted to travel around the world and simply paint. Abraxas has managed to travel around the country, most recently to California. In his works, he likes to use Belgian linen old Holland oil paints. “It’s the same kind of paints the Dutch painters used. I also use charcoals in my work, but not as often,” Abraxas explained. Many of his pieces include portraits and seascapes, the latter primarily inspired by the Lewes seascape he lived by. Abraxas also did many pieces while in Washington where he studied for six weeks at the New Renaissance Art School to learn painting. The show will feature between 12 and 14 original oils, as well as eight different limited pieces and some that Abraxas himself brought back for collectors. Many of the pieces will be for sale. On average, his art generates between $16,000 up to $28,000 per work. His latest painting is a break from his traditional landscapes and will be unveiled at the opening reception. Limited edition prints of his most recent Delaware seascape painting, Gordon's Pond, will be available to compliment his existing Cape Henlopen state park series. Despite his talent, Abraxas has not entered his paintings in many competitions. “I don’t do many juries at all,” he explained. “I feel the people who collect my work are ultimately the ones judging them.” He decided to show his work at the Federal Street Gallery encouraged by Gary and Gail Merz’s upscale environment as an art gallery and coffeehouse. “This is going to be a very high-class show,” Gary Merz said. Merz said he had been talking to Abraxas for a while to encourage him to do the show. “It was a long time coming but he agreed to do it,” Merz said. “The gallery is extremely excited, the people in the area are excited. Abraxas generates a multitude of interest here.” The opening reception on Saturday will be held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the gallery, on 108 Federal Street in Milton. The Abraxas exhibit will run until Nov. 30. Refreshments will be served at the reception. Normal gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information on the exhibit, contact the gallery at 684-1055. To view Abraxas’ work, visit his Web site at www.AbraxasArt.com. |