C. Ford Riley

Art Brokerage: C. Ford Riley American Artist: C. Ford Riley's paintings, rich in detail and dramatic in color, reflect a deeply personal relationship with nature. One of the premiere southern habitat painters of his generation, he is also an ardent sportsman and conservationist who rallies on behalf of Florida wildlife and habitat threatened by excessive development. Praised as the "Audubon of the 1980's", Ford's paintings work because he paints what he knows. Each painting begins as a series of drawings and studies which he develops into works that combine realism with the artist’s impressions of the natural setting. “I create illusion. Once I actually start painting, the composition evolves through a series of washes, layers of color to achieve the look I want. At first glance, my work gives the appearance of realism. Upon closer scrutiny, you’ll see that I employ a multitude of brush strokes which are probably more commonly associated with impressionism.” In 1990, Riley was the Featured Artist at the Southeastern Wildlife Expo in Charleston, South Carolina. This invitation only venue presents mostly works of wildlife artist and draws audiences of collectors, gallery owners, other artists, and attendants of 35,000 annually. It was at this exhibition that viewers realized Riley’s gift as a landscape artist which began to influence other artists as well. Listings wanted.