Local artist releases latest works
Exhibition will be at his home in Mt. Iron
by Staff Writer, Jeff Warner

MOUNTAIN IRON - Local artist Jay Davenport is having an exhibition at his home from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Nov. 26 to Dec. 7.

"Art in the Home" is a collection of still lifes, landscapes and portraits illustrating a range of works from "larger than life" Native American portrayals to beautiful country landscapes.

More than 50 works, ranging from watercolors, oil-paintings to woodcuts, will be on display in his professionally designed studio and beautiful home.

Davenport believes that having beautiful things in the home are good for one's health.

"I wanted to transfer the idea from having art in the gallery, and art in the studio, to art in the home because that's where you really want to have it. People can get the idea that their lives can improve physically, mentally, and spiritually by having beautiful things around them, and being aware of how they respond to these things."

Davenport is physically, emotionally and spiritually affected by what he sees and hears. He strives to continually be around and feel beauty, while interpreting these experiences with, and through, his art.

Being surrounded by his own art produces a process that gives back to him, and he wants to share this with the public.

"You are what you paint. This is my personality, and I want to share it with you."

The "larger than life" concept is more about the psychological effects of the Native American portrayals than the physical size of the canvas. His artistic motive is an attempt to produce an intimidation factor that stimulates people at their core.

Aside from the subjective effects, the portrayals are physically disproportionate to the size the character would be in real life. Although his goal is to portray the subjects as though they were once in his studio, Davenport estimates the characters would be about eight feet tall if they existed in real life.

Other artists have painted Native Americans from photographs (or in person); however, Davenport is pioneering the "larger than life" technique. He is also the first artist he is aware of to paint Native Americans with watercolor.

His inspiration for the Native American artwork comes from the fact that his grandmother was Native American. The public can stroll through his studio and admire his painting of her, as well as many others.

Davenport is at the cutting edge of his artwork, just as he was at the cutting edge of orthopedic surgery.

He was a physician in Hibbing and Virginia for over two decades. In 1978, the same year he started exploring watercolor painting, he was the first orthopedic surgeon in the range area to practice Arthroscopy, which involves placing a scope inside of the joint.

Whether he is practicing art as a physician, or a painter, Davenport seeks excellence and originality, while helping people feel good at the same time.

He invites everyone to come and participate in this experience. There will be wine, cheese, soft drinks, coffee and plenty of interesting conversation.

If you have questions, please call Jay at 258-3664. You can also visit his Web site at www.davenportstudios.com.