ANDREW CHRISTMAN  Christman's paintings explore the tension between modes of visualization associated with both scientific and intuitive understanding. In pursuit of this goal, the techniques and methods that he employs synthesize the painterly and improvisational conventions of expressionism with the rendered and didactic conventions of zoological illustration and field guides. Drawing upon sources from both Eastern and Western naturalist traditions, his intention is to cultivate an empirical artistic approach rooted in the observational study of a subject and the excavation of the emotive memories of that same subject. Christman attended Pratt Institute for Painting, where he obtained his Bachelor of Fine Arts and later studied at the Sotheby's Institute of Art at Manchester University, UK where he earned his M.A. in East Asian Art.  

Andrew Christman is currently an artist and educator living in Philadelphia.

ANDREW LEACH  Andrew’s latest series is an installation of imaginary birds reminiscent of 19th century scientific illustration. Given validity through “field guide” posturing and detailing, the fanciful works present strange birds perhaps missing from the fossil record or lost to modern-day intervention.  Though touched by the mark of extinction, the paintings ultimately attempt to recreate the sense of discovery no doubt experienced by historical naturalists and explorers. Influenced by the life and work of naturalist John James Audubon, they represent Leach's study of anatomical features like feather patterns, coloration and musculature.  The process by which the boards were created further pays homage to the manner by which subjects were documented before the era of photography. This series offers a personal commentary on the decline of bird species and their habitats. The natural world has been increasingly marginalized since the nineteenth century's era of scientific exploration and in a way, these invented birds represent his desire to return to that earlier time. Leach attended Kutztown University of Pennsylvania in 1993 where he obtained his Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in Painting and later attended Temple University to attain his Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture.

 Currently, Andrew Leach is an artist and landscape designer living in Philadelphia.