A Retrospective of the works of Michael Rogue Collins And a Continuing Reflection of the Works of Lowell Daunt Collins

January 11–April 5, 2016

In 1948 the American Federation of Arts invited 21 of the nation’s artists to exhibit their work in an exhibition which toured the country. Lowell Collins, then 23 years old and living in Houston, was one of the 21. His work showed great curiosity and great courage. He tried new ideas and challenged himself continuously. He worked in several mediums: encaustic, watercolor, graphite, oil, and various metals and stone in creating his paintings and drawings and beautiful small, but powerful, sculpture. Using dental drills and dental equipment, Collins commented in 1963, “Jade is the toughest known material, harder than steel or iron, with a close interlocking fiber which can withstand tremendous pressure. It is heavenly stuff to work with because it resists anything you do to it. You learn patience.”

A dedicated teacher throughout his life, Lowell Collins generously and passionately shared all he knew with others and especially with his son, Michael Roque Collins. Innovative and intellectual, purposeful and poignant, his work consistently reflects the spirit of the artist, the spirit of a Renaissance man. Lowell Daunt Collins died at the age of 79 in 2003.

As a young boy, Michael Roque Collins was surrounded by a family of artists: his grandparents, his aunts and uncles, his mother, and most significantly, his father. Classically trained, Collins has known that each artist must find his or her own voice. His early work is realistic, followed by works prompted by dreams. Ultimately, Michael Collins embraced post symbolism, capturing the reflections of life’s journey. Facing his canvas head on with brushes, knives and tubes of paint, he lays on paint and glazes, scraping them down until he and his materials are one, embodying nature and the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. And within it all is the energy of light…light from darkness, light overwhelming darkness.

The transference of artistic insight, encouraging other artists to find their own narrative, is the gift of the teacher, and Michael Collins, like his father, continues to be the consummate teacher.  He has said, “For me, art is plumbing the soul, and painting is a magnificent creative expression, an opportunity to offer discovery with each glance.” The works of Michael Roque Collins are landscapes of metaphor and light overwhelming darkness. They are the landscapes of his dreams. As such, they are not for the fainthearted, for as always, a creative struggle is required to maintain the honesty which reflects life’s true journey.

Curated by Sally Reynolds

In cooperation with the artist, Michael Rogue Collins & LewAllen Galleries

Photographs by Dawn Baxter