Artist Barry Ross sits at the controls of his Citabria.
Watercolor illustrator and pilot Barry Ross will appear at the Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum for the opening of “I Learned About Flying From That”: The Aviation Art of Barry Ross, showcasing 25 years of work for Flying magazine. In a public opening at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 31, Ross will share the inspiration and stories behind several of his favorite illustrations. Following the presentation, he will meet audience members and sign autographs.
A graduate of New York’s Pratt Institute, Ross paints for an audience that examines the “I Learned About Flying From That” vignettes for similarities or differences with their own flying experiences and styles. Ross researches his paintings thoroughly and highlights pertinent technical details from each sometimes hair-raising, sometimes funny and always educational story. Yet, for all their precision and educational intent, his works are also wonderfully lyrical, evoking both the risk and the thrill of flight. They capture moments when things have gone awry, yet give the viewer, as the artist himself writes, “a hopeful feeling that the crisis will be satisfactorily resolved.”
Forty of Barry Ross’ original paintings will be on display, including “Grumman Cheetah.”
Wings visitors will have the opportunity to view 40 of Ross’ original works in a temporary exhibition. As part of this three-month exhibit, Wings is hosting three evening lectures series, where guests can hear from local pilots and museum friends, as they share “I Learned About Flying from That” stories. Visitors can enjoy aviators, anecdotes and pizza at the informal gatherings on April 3, May 1 and June 5, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.
Regular admission rates apply. Members are free. For more information, visit [http://www.wingsmuseum.org].
Barry Ross’ paintings, like “Cessna 150 Close Call,” evoke both the risk and the thrill of flight. They capture moments when things have gone awry, yet give the viewer “a hopeful feeling that the crisis will be satisfactorily resolved.”