Aaron Rains Fine Art

Aaron Rains
Fine Art Collections

Palm Beach, FL 561.670.5618
Sarasota, FL 941.286.3671

Welcome to the first online catalog to curate the complete works of Aaron Rains.
This catalog is designed for private collectors and galleries
who are interested in these original works. Price lists are available by request.
Thank you for your consideration.

"The Library" 2009
18x24 inches, oil on canvas

     This abstract features a figure sitting on a floor between rows of book shelves. When Rains was a child, he made weekly visits to the library. He would become absorbed in great literary works, reading whole chapters in an aisle before finally checking out the book to take home. This image is inspired by the religion and philosophy section at the North Fort Myers Public Library.
     Rains abstract pieces are almost always studies for future works. He sets a timer for one hour, and when the timer ends, he is finished with the abstract. His simple compositions help him remember a theme while concealing further complexities of his message until they are created with finer detail. This is what he calls the “patent-pending stage”.

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"She Never Cared For The Olive" 2009
36x48 inches, oil on canvas

"La Salle De Bain Blanche, Which Is Also My Reflection On Modern Art" 2009
16x20 inches, oil on canvas

     “The white bathroom represents a blank canvas. Light beams reflect from a simple chrome canister. This light represents sales, promotion, and their importance in today’s fine art market.
     The single roll of toilet paper symbolizes the permanence of modern works created with latex, chalk, cardboard and paper. My warped reflection in the metal can represents my niche in society.
     Without artists and creative people, the world would be dull. We have the power to enhance anything we can harness. Intangible evidence surrounds us.
     The porcelain toilet is the most permanent subject in the composition, so I have decided to place it in the foreground to represent my love for quality materials and traditional techniques that stand the test of time. On the other hand, one might argue about the importance of the toilet paper, which serves as proof that innovative modern artists do share a place with the masters of the past. We do not always appreciate what we have had until it no longer exists. Things that appeared to be insignificant may have actually been important, like being in the nicest restroom without a simple roll of paper when you really need it.
-Aaron Rains

"Jesus Walks On Water" 2009
16x20 inches, oil on canvas

This is an image of Peter exercising true faith. He walks out to Jesus on the water as initially instructed, then falls as he doubts his ability to walk. He believes again as Jesus rescues him. He put greater faith in God each time and was blessed in return. We all face some kind of adversity. The adversity itself is not as important to God as how we handle it.

amiimaglobalimage@yahoo.com

This is the second version of an original surrealist composition originally made with acrylic in 2003. Rains original study is part of the Picone Collection which also features original work by Salvador Dali. The random ladder, martini glass, pedestal, nails, cat, and door with frame were inspired by random objects he found in the garage he used for a studio.
The ladder spiraling off into the atmosphere is a tribute to Madelaine L. Engle’s “tesseract” concept from the Newberry Classic, “A Wrinkle in Time”. He worked on this painting at night except for one or two day sessions where he went outside to throw martini glass after martini glass filled with water into the air for a live reference. Discovering that there was no specific shape or pattern to the moving droplets, he fashioned them into the image of a dolphin balancing a ball on its nose. Employing Dali's paranoic-critical method the droplets also form a human cranium. Mr. Picone suggested the toothpick in the olive.

"Ticky Tacky Houses On Their Sides" 2009
20x24 inches, oil on canvas

This image is inspired by the first acrylic painting “Ticky Tacky Houses” which represented the housing market and deed restricted communities in Southwest Florida. After banks needed a bail out in 2009, the image was created again, but on its side. The horizon looks distant as the sun shines on the right. These houses are suspended, but in a state of motion.

"Dali Painting Like Picasso" 2009
24x36 inches, oil on canvas

This whimsical abstract is a tribute to Salvador Dali. Rains was remodeling a home during this painting and had just created a surreal portrait of Dali crafted from found dead ants and roaches that were arranged and photographed as a smiling Dali cartoon.
The dead aspect intrigues the surreal crowd as a symbolic statement.

"The Surrealist, Salvador Dali, Made from Palmetto Bugs" 2009
8x10 inches, photography

Aaron discovered tons of palmetto bugs in a bathtub during a remodel project. He used a long stick to arrange them into a surreal portrait and tribute to his favorite surrealist, Salvador Dali.

"The Memorial Day Mural - A Tribute to Clyde Prier" 2009
Oil based enamel on Concrete

"Initial Oil Painting Proposal Draft for Estimate" 2009
6x8 inches, oil on canvas panel

This mural was designed to honor Clyde Prier and the residents of Port Charlotte's Douglas T. Jacobson State Veterans' Nursing Home. It was unveiled for the Memorial Day Celebration in 2009. Clyde's silhouette represents the U.S. Marines. The white star represents the U.S. Army. The eagle represents the U.S. Air Force. The Navy Blue sky represents the U.S. Navy.
Pictured at finished mural (left to right): Liz Barton, Judy Prier, Aaron Rains, Joan Jacobson

"A Lady Writing A Letter With Her Maid (In Progress- Step 3)" 2009
22x28 inches, oil on canvas

     This painting is an authentic reproduction of a famous painting by Dutch Master, Jan Vermeer. This layer needs to dry for six months to one year before it can be intermediately varnished.
     This stage is called “working up” or “body color”. The painting will be complete after being sanded to remove any impasto, glazed with thin translucent layers of paint, and given a final Dammar Varnish.
     Reproductions are easily printed on a canvas today. This original canvas had a coarse texture. At this stage, the painting has a glass-like, flat texture and deliberate omission of impasto applications. This is what makes this piece so different today. Few artists have the patience to complete this type of work in the style of another Dutch Master, Jan Van Eyck ("the father of oil paint"). Aaron receives private funding for being dedicated to the completion of this tribute to these two masters.

"Andy Warhol Paints His First Digital Portrait of Debbie Harry" 2009
22x28 inches, oil on canvas

"I was inspired by Andy’s acceptance of indefinite selections and leaky flood fills. Andy Warhol thought Debbie Harry’s portrait was pretty this way. Here is my hand painted 'leaky flood fill' using Ivory Black. His head appears to be floating, but that was acceptable to Andy.
The YouTube video featuring Warhol and Blondie’s Debbie Harry was from a Commodore 64 Convention. I believe they say Jack Haggaar was the resident Amiga artist who hosts the show, but I cannot be sure due to the sound quality in the production.” –Aaron Rains
See the You Tube video by clicking:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oqUd8utr14

"The Rebellious Captive" 2009
22x28, oil on canvas

An abstract painting hangs in the background. ‘The Rebellious Captive’ by Michaelangelo stands in the middle ground aside a floral arrangement of fresh cuts of orchid and lillie with curly willow. Rubik’s Cube is solved in the foreground. It's funny how abstract artists and realistic artists can find a sense of community through fellowship and association. Together we can help to make a difference in our world. Our time here is precious.

"Love Birds" 2009
4 1/8x 3 3/4 inches, oil on masonite
image courtesy of the Otero Collection

"Siesta Key" 2009
10x10x5 inches, reclaimed copper electrical wire and sanded poplar

"Broken Chords" 2009
10x8x4 inches, reclaimed wood