Philip Frey: New Work, a solo show at Courthouse Gallery Fine Art

When you take in Philip Frey’s latest collection of oil paintings as a group, you immediately see his passion for color, light, and appreciation of the world around him. As you look at each piece, you feel the peacefulness, reflective quality, and sense of place he evokes about the subjects special to him: the landscape (Maine and Italy), interiors, and the figure. Close up, the surface of the painting comes alive with texture and movement that reveal the artist’s hand and energy through the use of various tools: brushes, palette knives, and squeegees. It is as if the work (and the painter) are softly persuading us to slow down and pause for a moment to pay attention what is around us. His upcoming exhibition, Philip Frey: New Work, will be on view June 2 - June 29, 2025 at Courthouse Gallery Fine Art.

“I make work that is inspired by the landscape, architecture, interior spaces and the figure.  In my daily experience, I pay close attention to the ephemeral qualities of light, color and pattern that often go unnoticed.  My process involves the use of brushes, palette knives and squeegees to develop a rich paint surface and abstractions that evoke a sense of momentariness and appreciation for the ‘life of things’,” said Frey.

Philip Frey was born in Maine in 1967. In the past twenty five years, he has developed into one of Maine’s finest landscape painters—known as a brilliant colorist who paints with a bold yet subtle palette that captures the light and moods of his home state and beyond. Frey is a nationally exhibiting artist, with a long and steady show history in acclaimed galleries. His work is held in prominent private and corporate collections. The monograph, Philip Frey: Here and Now, was published in 2018. With an introduction by curator George Kinghorn, and essays by art critics Daniel Kany and Carl Little, it presents the first in-depth look at Frey’s body of work. The Zillman Art Museum mounted a solo exhibition of his work in 2016. Frey holds a BFA in Painting from Syracuse University (’90). He is represented by Courthouse Gallery Fine Art, Edgewater Gallery, and Greenhut Galleries. www.philipfrey.com

“Frey’s art occupies the nexus between contemporary painting and brushy traditionalism. If there is a focus to this new direction in Maine painting, his art is it.”

— Daniel Kany, writer and art critic

Philip Frey: New Work runs from June 2 to June 29, 2025 at Courthouse Gallery Fine Art. The Artist Reception is Wednesday, June 11, 5:00 - 7:00 pm. Courthouse Gallery Fine Art is located at 6 Court St. Ellsworth, ME 04605. Hours: May/June, Tuesday – Saturday, 10am - 5:00 pm. Phone: (207) 667-6611. 

Email: info@courthousegallery.com. Website: www.courthousegallery.com.

If you would like more information including high resolution images, email info@philipfrey.com.