Ralph Hinkle’s favorite subject matter is undoubtedly the human form. Every painting in his exhibit is a striking portrait. The artist explains the evolution of his work: from “playing with color” to his gradual discovery that portraiture allows him to explore spirituality and the interconnectedness of all people.
Unusually, he starts the acrylic painting with a dark background instead of the traditional white gesso on canvas, though he explains, “It’s not meant to be dark emotionally, I just don’t like starting with a white background.” It gives the painting a dramatic depth and makes bright colors seem even brighter. He occasionally works from photographs he takes, saying “I see something and go, ‘I have to paint that.’” At times, random splattering of gesso on canvas creates the human form on the canvas, abstracted.
The artist's most recent work is something new for him: on unstretched, raw-edged canvas, he protests against the country's health system, depicting impersonal, mass-produced medical care and the struggles of the average person in paying for health insurance.
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