Reiss’ “Cassidhe on a Wooden Chair” Impresses Art Lovers
David Reiss is quite an artist. The Huntington High School junior’s piece, “Cassidhe on a Wooden Chair,” has been on display at the Heckscher Museum of Art in the prestigious Long Island’s Best show for the past two weeks.
More than 60 teachers submitted the work of 200 top Nassau and Suffolk high school artists for possible inclusion in the Long Island’s Best show. Only 75 exceptional pieces were selected for display, including the one created by Mr. Reiss. He drew inspiration for his artwork from Fairfield Porter’s “Elizabeth in a Red Chair,” a 1961 oil on canvas piece.
Mr. Reiss, a talented 16-year old, is a student in Huntington art teacher Kasmira Mohanty’s second year computer graphics class. “What I enjoy about her class is how we can go further in making amazing works of art by dealing with it on the computer,” Mr. Reiss said. “Being in the Long Island’s Best competition for my artwork was a new experience for me as I’ve never been in an art competition. When I heard one of my pieces of art was being put into the Heckscher Museum, I couldn’t believe it.”
A crowd numbering in the hundreds turned out for this year’s Long Island’s Best opening reception and awards ceremony. The show helped cast a spotlight on Mr. Reiss and his skills.
“‘Elizabeth in a Red Chair” by Fairfield Porter creates a quiet moment using muted colors, subtle brushstrokes and an uncomplicated composition,” Mr. Reiss said in an artist’s statement accompanying his work. “I wanted to recreate that mood in a non-traditional manner, using advanced digital painting techniques and a model that defines the modern ‘girl.’”
The show at the Heckscher might very well have a life-altering impact on the teenager. “Art has never had an effect on me much before but this competition has helped me get further as an artist seeing what I can do, and might do, in the future,” Mr. Reiss said.
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