Creations in Acrylic by Arnold Lopes
Arnold Lopes’ love for science fiction is uniquely demonstrated in this exhibit in the Jo Ann Rose Gallery: Faux Space – Creations in Acrylic. His layman's passion for astronomical discovery began as a kid fascinated by the covers on science fiction paperbacks in the local drug store. Those that had images of planets, moons and stars were particularly interesting. He began buying them for 25 cents each, not so much to read as to sketch and draw the covers. At some point, he realized that science fiction books by Isaac Azimov were also worth reading, thus cementing his lifelong interest in art and books.
Arnold’s works are executed on traditional canvas and gator board. His most current pieces are painted on Plexiglass, creating a fresh spontaneity in colors and shapes. His job at a frame shop allows him to experiment with old, abandoned frames. In some of his works, the old frames are put to distinctively creative use.
Born in the Hawaiian Islands, Arnold spent most of his youth moving up and down Highway 101 in California, where he honed his skills as a theater set painter and lighting designer. In the museums and libraries of Hawaii and California, Arnold was drawn to artists like Rene Magritte, Salvador Dali, Roger Dean, Hieronymus Bosch, Michelangelo, Kelly Freas and Frank Frazetta. He earned an art degree from the University of Hawaii in 1998.
Arnold is an expert framer and can be found most days at Art Frame Solutions in Reston. Painting and teaching fill a good bit of the rest of his life – he teaches several evening art classes at Reston Community Center Lake Anne, including watercolor, oil pastel, charcoal, collage oil and acrylic. Arnold lives in Leesburg with his family.