Presenting David Reed: Emerging Artist at SoHo Galleries

Which part of your brain do you use the most, left or right? It is believed that those who are "left-brain" oriented are more based in logic and accuracy, while the "right-brain" people are more based in feeling and creativity. David Reed, an American artist whose work is on display at SoHo Galleries, is both, and his art proves it. On the one hand, his right brain paints whimsical images of chickens juxtaposed with Mexican cultural themes. His left brain paints ultra-realistic images of people and objects, giving new definition to the term "realism"...his works are so realistic, you want to touch them to feel the texture of a wrinkled face or a worn piece of fabric, often painted larger than life. These two painting styles are so incredibly different from each other that you would swear they were done by two different artists.

Although David has always known he likes to paint, he never really gave in to the urge until recently. When he told his father, who was the president of a steel company, that he wanted to study art, his father convinced him to get a business degree and follow a career, and save his artistic cravings for retirement. David did exactly that, following a career as a (very left-brain) purchasing agent for a power company. His "retirement" dream was to own a bed and breakfast and paint. Here he is in Mérida, owner of Los Arcos B & B. And here he is, a prolific, completely self-taught painter, with his very first gallery showing ever, in the "Emerging Artists" collection at SoHo Galleries.

After your first impression of David's work, which will probably include the word "Wow!", when you look more closely you will notice certain details. His signature is hard to find. He blends it in to the image portrayed in the painting, whether it becomes part of a detail of fabric, tile, or something else. He believes that a standard signature adds an extra layer to a painting which he does not want to do; he wants his identity to be a "part of the painting". Another thing you will notice is that there is no empty space on the canvas: every square inch is covered with paint. And another thing you will see is that his work is versatile...it can fit in with other works of art in your home, but it also has "what it takes" to stand alone.

SoHo Galleries owner Adele Aguirre is so delighted with David's work that her enthusiasm overflows. As a gallery owner, of course she is thrilled that his paintings are being purchased, but she is equally excited about being there at the debut of his painting career. And as a gallery owner who sees an emerging artist's potential, she is also thrilled that he seems to have no shortage of paintings to produce; he says he is usually halfway through one when he is ready to start on another. Adele believes...no, she KNOWS...that David Reed will become a sought-after artist, and she loves being a catalyst. David says: "Adele always calls me each time she sells one of my paintings, and her excitement is very infectious."

Adele, a native New Yorker who still runs a successful business consulting firm there, came to Yucatán five years ago and decided it had to be a part of her life. She has an instinct about art and always dreamed of opening a gallery. In 2007 she met Nicholas Lavroff, an artist who uses photography to capture beautiful images of ordinary objects like walls, doors, signs, windows, and shadows. Through digital photography, Nic's colors and textures come to life. Nic and Adele became a couple and shared the dream of opening a gallery in Mérida. In November of 2008, their dream became a reality with the opening of SoHo Galleries.

The gallery has three areas of focus: Nicholas' own work, as the artist-in residence; a collection of rare European and North American classic engravings, including one by Rembrandt; and what Adele fondly refers to as "emerging artists".

Emerging artists are those who display extraordinary talent but are not yet well known. In addition to David Reed, emerging artists at SoHo Galleries include Viviana Hinajosa and Manuel Taure García, a young couple from Puebla, who offer a dramatic variety of styles and techniques, including etchings, serigraphs, oils and acrylics. Also featured is Carol Acereto, a local artist who specializes in iconic images of the Yucatán, and whose work is proudly displayed in many of the major hotels in Mérida.

If you are a fan of Cuban art, you will enjoy the works available at SoHo Galleries. Although some of the artists are not so well known, such as as Kadir Nieves and Frank Martínez, and some are established artists such as José Fuster, they are all "emerging" in the sense that they are emerging from Cuba. Adele's goal is to have a showing where the Cuban artists can be present at the opening night here in Mérida; opening nights at SoHo Galleries have become a "must-do" event for art aficionados and collectors alike.

SoHo Galleries also offers limited edition giclée prints signed by the artists. To see enlarged samples of the work by all of the artists mentioned in this article, click on the one of the images in the Related Gallery (there is a total of 14 images). SoHo Galleries, Calle 60 #400-A x 41 y 43, Centro, Mérida. Tel. 928 5710. Hours: Mon. - Sat. 10:30 am to 5:30 pm. www.sohogalleriesmx.com