Chadds Ford Gallery displays Blue exhibit

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It’s billed as the Blues Brothers, but it has nothing to do with John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd who coined the name in musical skits on the TV show “Saturday Night Live.” The new exhibit at the Chadds Ford Gallery is about the art of brothers Glenn and Bruce Blue.

Bruce Blue, the younger of the two, is new to the Chadds Ford art scene. This is his first time showing here, while older brother Glenn, a former Pennsylvania State trooper, has been known in the Brandywine Valley for years. He has a strong following in and out of law enforcement circles.

They get their abilities naturally. Both of their parents were art teachers

The difference between the two is in experience and medium. Glenn Blue works almost exclusively in watercolor while Bruce Blue paints with oils.

Bruce said his brother’s style is a little looser, but that he, too, is “trying to loosen up a little.”

The younger sibling said he wants to continue gaining experience and see where he can go with his art.

This is the second time the brothers have shown together. They first did so a little more than a year ago in Columbia, Pa.

Bruce Blue also said it was “an honor” to be showing his work where so many other famous artists, such as Andy Wyeth, have shown theirs.

Glenn Blue said his work has evolved over the years. He still works with watercolors and his nature scenes still dominate. However, his cityscapes and figures continue to get stronger. He said that’s part of the process and that growth is what all artists are after.

“For me, I think less is better. So, trying to simplify to what catches your eye about a scene is what really interests me,” Glenn Blue said.

Younger artists try to capture everything, but maturing in art leads to eliminating elements that don’t need to be captured.

“The feel of what caught your attention you sometimes lose when you try to capture all the detail,” he said. “Now I try to simplify as much as I can. Not every brush stroke is in there. There are more washes. It’s a simpler way of coming to the conclusion. I don’t want to make it look like a photograph because photographers do that.”

The exhibit is punctuated with strong colors that bring an intensity to nature scenes.

According to gallery Director Barbara Moore, “The combination of the two, while there’s a difference, there’s also a sameness in interests and focal points. I think it’s going to be neat to see how the two might do with this.

She acknowledges that Glenn might do better, but that’s primarily because the gallery has sold his art before and he already has a reputation in the area.

“I think this is a good experience for Bruce. I’m very pleased with his work,” Moore said.

She called Glenn Blue’s work “dramatic.”

Bruce Blue is a draftsman working on 3-D models. Glenn Blue retired from the state police two years ago after 25 years.

Photo: The Brothers Blue. Glenn on the left and Bruce on the right.

About Rich Schwartzman

Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.

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