James Van Fossan Joins International Guild of Realism; Unveils 'Waterfall'

Since leaving the corporate world to focus on his art full time seven years ago, Vail, Colorado based painter James Van Fossan (www.jamesvanfossan.com) has brilliantly told the story of people's lives, struggles and triumphs on canvass while commanding some of the highest recognitions in realism.

Among his accolades, he was invited to join the prestigious International Guild of Realism, and he is now distinguished by the acclaimed international museum and salon, Art Renewal Center, as an "Associate Living Master." Van Fossan was a 2010, 2011 and 2012 Finalist in Art Renewal Center's International Figurative Category, ARC Salon, Glenham, New York.

Van Fossan also sold his acclaimed painting "Waterfall" to veteran entertainment executive Steve Levesque at the World of Art Showcase, a prestigious event held at the Wynn Las Vegas in December 2012. "Waterfall" shows a deeply engaged ballerina whose leg is fully extended skyward, her turquoise skirt cascading down like a vibrant flowing waterfall.

Van Fossan now proudly unveils "Magnum Opus," which he considers perhaps his greatest work to date -- a powerful and compelling multi-figure piece using a ballerina as the centerpiece in the metaphorical human and artistic struggle between support and acceptance and forces that aim to crush our spirit and potential.

Other accolades he has received in recent years include: the 2011 Collectors' Choice Award, International Guild of Realism Exhibition, Santa Fe, New Mexico; and the solo exhibitions "Rhythms of Grace" (Cathedral Center for the Arts, Phoenix, 2011) and "Face Forward: A Benefit for Mending the Soul Ministries" (Rive Gauche Art Gallery, Scottsdale, 2009).

For the first time in his career, Van Fossan -- whose "home gallery" is the Paderewski Fine Art Gallery in Beaver Creek, Colorado -- is seeking to expand beyond exhibiting solely in the Southwest and to show his work more prominently in galleries in New York City and Los Angeles/Southern California.

In 2010, Van Fossan composed and recorded the CD Cathedral Ceilings to accompany an exhibition he did in Arizona. He performed the music live on acoustic guitar while people browsed his work at the show. Van Fossan's website also features his original musical compositions.