Ingenuous Colors of Nature

Indiana Honeysuckle, acrylic, 24”x 30”

In his vibrant new exhibit at the City Gallery, Critt Hunter imbues images of nature with an extra burst of color just in time to pull us out of the winter doldrums. Working in a variety of media, including acrylics, watercolors, and colored pencils, Critt renders his highly detailed images of flowers, trees, and garden plants in colors whose intensity is purposely enhanced. For example, the piece titled “Honeysuckle” is painted in a pallet of red, green, purple, and turquoise, much different from the real-life honeysuckle you can find growing in profusion along Fall Creek. This is Critt’s special twist. “I stretch what is typically a structured image into color experimentation using arbitrary, analogous, and complimentary colors.” All this extra color takes what might otherwise be simply a straightforward, realistic depiction of a familiar plant and transforms it into something fantastical. Critt wants the viewer to experience what he calls an “aesthetic pause” - to stop and think about the beauty found in random spots all over this city: in curbside plantings, backyard landscapes, parks, formal gardens, and wild places.

Left: Summer's Beauty (Garden View), oil, 24" x 36"

Center: Sunflowers, oil, 30" x 40"

Right: Daylilies, oil, 24" x 30"

Critt recently retired from a career teaching art in the public schools of rural Kentucky. His goal was to promote his students’ art, build their esteem, and facilitate scholarship programs. After decades devoted to nurturing and supporting the creative lives of others, Critt has turned his attention to his own work. “I’ve been experimenting and developing my skills and processes. I find inspiration everywhere I look, and that inevitably filters down to my work. Delight finds me when I look closely at small sections of buildings, vegetation, and everyday things we take for granted.“ His life as an artist here in Indianapolis has brought acceptance to juried exhibits, art fairs, and sales, providing a validation he never dreamt possible. For several years, Critt has participated in the annual holiday color-themed shows in the Harrison Gallery. We are pleased to present his first solo show with us through the month of February.

The show can be viewed anytime during the month of February in the City Gallery during Gallery Hours: Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. The works can also be viewed and purchased on our online gallery through March.