Principle Gallery

You may know Gavin Glakas for his incredible paintings of urban nocturnes and golden hour sunlight on fabulous architecture, but his portraits hang in public collections all over the world, including in the US Capitol and the State Capitol in Richmond, and he has quickly become known as one of the nation's leading portrait artists.

Join us while he paints a portrait demonstration in the gallery starting at 1 pm on Saturday, August 22 - the day after the opening of our highly-anticipated figure show "Bodies of Work."

Gavin has been teaching portrait painting for over 20 years so he's very comfortable answering questions and explaining his process as he works.

“The Back Bar” by Gavin Glakas
24 x 32, oil on panel

"The Three Fates" by Russell Gordon
20" DIA, oil on linen

The fates, one spins our fate, one measures it & one breaks the strand. The river all the while rushes to her lover, the sea.

See "The Three Fates" in our upcoming exhibition "Bodies of Work" opening two weeks from now! Join us on Friday, August 21st for the opening from 6-8:30 pm.

Megan Aline paints what cannot be seen. Through luminous forests held within graceful silhouettes, she gives form to our inner landscapes. The memories that ground us and the experiences that shape us.

Explore our collection of Megan's work through the link in our bio or send us a message to inquire about available works. 🌿

"Explore"
24 x 12, acrylic on panel
https://principlegallery.com/gallery/megan-aline/

✨ Some horses gallop across fields... this one wanders through enchanted forests and moonlit dreams. 🌙🐴

Jennifer Hudson's hand-cut, hand-dyed paper artwork feels like a page torn from a forgotten fairy tale, where every swirling detail hides a new story and every layer invites you to look a little closer. The intricate patterns, rich colors, and whimsical design make this piece pure magic.

If this horse could step right out of the artwork, where do you think it would take you? ✨ Tell us your destination in the comments! 💚

"Paper Jousting Horse" by Jennifer Hudson
12 x 12, hand-cut dyed paper
https://principlegallery.com/gallery/jennifer-hudson/

We have new arrivals from Brian Martin! The latest grouping is a collection of small, but mighty landscapes highlighting the sea and the impact of a perfect sunset.

View Brian's newest inventory here: https://principlegallery.com/gallery/brian-martin/

"Gesture"
8 x 6, oil on panel
On display and available now!

"I live an hour from Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario. I visited there several times as a child, in awe of the magnificent and ominous "Killer Whales." Many years later, after seeing the 2013 documentary Blackfish, my eyes were opened to the consequences of keeping Orcas in captivity: sensory deprivation, increased aggression, and lower life expectancy. The Princeton Encyclopedia of Mammals corroborates this by asserting that the complex social lives of cetaceans in the wild cannot be recreated in captivity, where unnatural stress is placed on these animals [i].

In the biblical book of Isaiah, the imagery of a river cutting through a barren wasteland is symbolic of the eschatological hope that justice and mercy will one day reign, ushering in peace and wholeness. After reading about nations streaming to the holy mountain, I envisioned a pod of Orcas released from aquarium amusement parks, journeying down a canyon river toward their intended home. On the way they pass remnants of humankind: a hewn cave, carnage from the drought, and their ancestors' bones that await resurrection to new life.

Shortly after I completed this painting, thanks to the tireless efforts of activist groups across Canada, our Senate passed the 'Free W***y' bill that bans whale and dolphin captivity in this country [ii]. Finally, these beautiful and intelligent mammals will stop being exploited for our entertainment, and live free in the oceans where they belong. Sadly, the situation is much worse for Orcas globally. While in North America the capture of wild whales and breeding programs have been phased out, still in Russia and China wild Orcas are captured for use in marine parks.

This painting is a beacon of hope, but it is also a reminder that more needs to be done for whales suffering in captivity today." - Josh Tiessen

[i] Macdonald, ed. Princeton Encyclopedia of Mammals, 814.
[ii] Bill S-203 passed in June 2019, ending the captivity of whales and dolphins.

“Peace Like a River” by Josh Tiessen
32 x 34, oil on Baltic Birch

Carla Paine's painting "Reclining N**e" reminds us that the figure has always been more than a study of anatomy. It is a way of exploring vulnerability, and the quiet poetry of everyday life. With restrained color and an extraordinary use of light, Paine transforms a private moment into something timeless.

Featured in our upcoming exhibition "Bodies of Work", this painting joins a collection of contemporary figurative works that demonstrate why the human figure continues to captivate artists and viewers alike. Though centuries have passed, its ability to communicate emotion, intimacy, and shared human experience remains as powerful as ever.

"Reclining N**e" by Carla Paine
24 x 36, oil on linen

"Working from life should be priority number one. It is a bond artists have shared since antiquity. This awesome thread of humanity remains unbroken in the studio, in front of the model, entirely unfiltered, and in our purest state: the N**e." - Shane Wolf

Rooted in the discipline of drawing from life, Shane Wolf's work reflects a deep respect for the centuries-old tradition of figurative art while remaining undeniably contemporary. His expressive marks reveal both the structure of the body and the energy of the artist's hand, embracing observation as a continual process of discovery rather than simply a means of representation. Each drawing becomes a conversation between artist, model, and the enduring history of the figure.

Join us for Bodies of Work, opening Friday, August 21st 6-8:30 pm, and experience an exhibition celebrating the enduring power of the human figure through the work of leading contemporary realist artists.

“Milkshake Currency” by Shane Wolf
29 x 20, oil on canvas

Throughout the history of figure painting, strength has rarely been defined by force alone. Artists have long understood that the most compelling portrayals of power are often found in quiet resolve, unwavering presence, and the subtle expression of inner conviction.

In her painting "Prescient Vision", Stephanie Deshpande continues this enduring tradition. Drawing on the visual language of historical portraiture while infusing it with a distinctly contemporary sensibility, she presents a figure whose calm gaze and regal bearing speak to resilience, wisdom, and self-possession. The result is a painting that feels both timeless and deeply relevant.

Our upcoming exhibition "Bodies of Work" celebrates the enduring legacy of the human figure and the artists who continue to expand its expressive possibilities.

"Prescient Vision" by Stephanie Deshpande
14 x 11, oil on linen

Jeremy Mann thrives on uncertainty. Rather than chasing precision, he embraces risk, allowing bold brushwork, scraped surfaces, and unexpected moments to shape each painting as it unfolds. His process is instinctive and fearless, pushing figurative painting beyond straightforward representation and into something visceral, atmospheric, and deeply human.

In "VIKA", that energy is met with an unwavering gaze. The model's piercing eye contact immediately commands attention, creating an intensity that feels both intimate and confrontational. Surrounded by luminous color and expressive marks, her presence seems to emerge from the painting itself, inviting viewers into a moment that is as emotionally charged as it is beautiful.

Join us for the opening of "Bodies of Work" on Friday, August 21st and help us celebrate the contemporary artists who are redefining the possibilities of figurative painting.

"VIKA" by Jeremy Mann
24 x 18, oil on panel