Somerville Arts Council and the Inside-Out Gallery featured artist is Adam Adikson. Adam has been an active member in the Somerville art community for several years. Drawn by his love of light and its ephemeral nature, he uses classic techniques and vibrant hues to transform his subject matter. In addition to his work, he teaches classic plein air, still life, and portrait watercolor workshops for students at all levels. You can frequently find him out and about in the world, capturing the unique beauty of the greater Boston area.
For more insight on his process, here is an excerpt from an interview with Doug Holder’s column Off the Shelf in the Somerville Times on March 31, 2021
“Adam Adkison has been drawing and painting for as long as he can remember. One of his first memories was as a 7-year-old, digging through crayons or oil pastels from large cabinet drawers at the front of the class, breathing in the heady scent of wax.”
Raised in a coal mining town in Wyoming, Adam grew up surrounded the austere beauty of the area. Inspirational places like Adobetown, Castle Rock, and Boar’s Tusk were all within a short distance.
Adam’s work has been called a mixture of realism and impressionism. He tends to steer his work away from feeling like a photograph,
preferring to keep brushstrokes visible. He is attracted towards scenes of quiet beauty, finding peace and comfort in them. He works from real life as much as possible, finding that it gives the work more depth and vibrancy.”
Artists Statement
My work is inspired by the world around me, and I strive to capture the energy and immediacy of life through my art. I am particularly drawn to painting en plein air, as it allows me to fully immerse myself in my surroundings, incorporating sights, sounds, and smells of the world into my work. Whether it’s painting the fleeting light of a sunset or the energy of a bustling city street, my goal is to create paintings that not only visually engage but also emotionally resonate.
I work primarily in oil and watercolor, two mediums that offer a wide range of expressive possibilities. Oil paint allows me to build up rich, textured layers of color, while watercolor allows me to capture the delicate, transparent effects of light and atmosphere. I often bring techniques from one medium to the other,
attempting to create works that I hope are both intriguing and timeless.
Ultimately, my hope is that my paintings will inspire others to see the world in a new light and to share the subtly beautiful things I see. I believe that art has the power to connect people across cultures and time, and I am grateful for the opportunity to share my vision with the world.
For more information, visit Adam’s website:
www.adamadkison.com
Instagram @adamadkison1
About the Inside-Out Gallery
Initiated in 2009, The Inside-Out Gallery is located in the CVS Window in Davis Square, a unique space that allows the public to view an eclectic array of works from artists and local organizations each month. The mission of the Somerville Arts Council is to cultivate and celebrate the creative expressions of the Somerville community. Through innovative collaborations and quality programming we work to make the arts an integral part of life reflective of our diverse city.