"Light of an Ancient Sun," an egg tempera by Jeff Chapman-Crane of Eolia, Ky., was the "People's Choice-Best In Show Award" at the 2007 Virginia Highlands Festival Juried Fine Art Show.
ABINGDON, Va. -- Eolia, KY artist Jeff Chapman-Crane's painting, "Light of an Ancient Sun," won People's Choice-Best In Show Award in the Virginia Highlands Festival Juried Fine Art Show.
This award was selected by votes cast by the people visiting the exhibit held at the Arts Depot in Abingdon, Va. during the first week of the show. The painting is a stunning egg tempera perspective of a young woman in deep thought as sunlight highlights her hair and places her face in captivating shadows. Throughout his painting Chapman-Crane has employed fine detail to create a soft texture.
Chapman-Crane is a full-time professional artist from the Appalachian mountains of eastern Kentucky, where he has lived and practiced his art for more than 20 years. His art focuses on the culture of Appalachia, with an emphasis on portraits of mountain people. His work has been featured in American Artist magazine, and he is a four-time finalist in the publication's annual portrait competition.
He was the illustrator for the children's book Ragsale, which won Best in Show at the 1995 New England Bookfair. He has also received several major awards during previous Virginia Highlands Festival Juried Fine Art Shows. His work is represented by prestigious galleries in Cincinnati, Ohio, and in New York City.
Together with his wife, Sharman, and son, Evan, he operates the Valley of the Winds Art Gallery in Eolia where works by all three family members can be seen. The gallery hosts an annual festival on the third Saturday of June featuring live music, poetry readings, and other events.
