Think for a Moment

The PEAR

By

Alphonse Lane

If you take a Pear and observe it, the Pear carries for us a message. That message is all about the journey the Pear has traveled in life, just as we as humans carry markings of our travels. Each Pear carries on its flesh, wounds, dents, and marks. In this fashion, the Pear is very human. We carry these wounds, dents, and markings from our travels and life experiences. There are those of us who carry their scars on the outside of our bodies, and there are those who carry many deep and ingrained scars mentally inside of us. Even though invisible, the inner scars can drum up many powerful negative and downtrodden emotions. It is not my task to identify illnesses that people succumb to but to call attention to the Pear and how we should identify with it. We are more like the Pear than you think. 

The Abstract

These abstract Watercolor and ink drawings, are based upon Design, Color and Movement. While they speak of many things. Let's address them from that standpoint.      

ARTIST BIOGRAPHY

Born in 1961, Alphonse Lane is a visionary artist and dedicated educator whose vibrant creations transcend the bounds of convention. With a deep-rooted passion for the arts, Lane embarked on his artistic journey at The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA), where he obtained his Certificate of Fine Art in 1986. Here, he delved into the realms of painting and printmaking, laying the foundation for his future explorations. Lane's thirst for knowledge led him to The University of Pennsylvania, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1995. Here, he delved into the nuances of mural painting and visual studies, expanding his artistic horizons and refining his aesthetic sensibilities.

Returning to PAFA in 2004, Lane pursued a Master of Fine Arts degree, focusing his studies on painting and the intricacies of creative

pictorial space. This period of intense introspection and experimentation marked a pivotal chapter in Lane's evolution as an artist, as he honed his craft with unwavering dedication and fervor.

Inspired by the untamed beauty of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park in the late 1980s, Lane returned to Philadelphia in 1991 with a renewed sense of purpose. Immersed in the study of the floral genre, he sought

to capture the ephemeral beauty of nature on canvas, infusing his work with vivid colors and delicate brushwork.

In the late 2010s, Lane embarked on a journey of surreal exploration, drawing inspiration from masters such as Paul Klee and Wassily

Kandinsky of the Bauhaus German School of Art. Pushing the boundaries of convention, he reimagined reality through a kaleidoscope of vibrant hues and dreamlike compositions.

Lane's artistic achievements have been celebrated far and wide, earning him accolades such as the Charles Firth Award of Excellence and the Tri-State Artist Equity Award. His work has been showcased at esteemed institutions including The University of Pennsylvania Fox Art Gallery, the Micro Museum in Brooklyn.

In 2018-2019, Lane received a grant from the City of Philadelphia and The Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, funded by The National Endowment for the Arts, further cementing his status as a pioneering force in the world of contemporary art.

Today, Alphonse Lane continues to create with boundless passion and creativity, painting in the tranquil solitude of his home and studio in Berwyn, Pennsylvania. As an artist and educator, he remains dedicated to pushing the boundaries of artistic expression and inspiring the next generation of creative minds.