RICHARD PILOCO
	FOREWORD People are plainly fascinated with paintings of people. A good artist can capture the likeness of an individual...a fine artist can evoke a person's mood...but a really superb artist can say something about the essence of what it means to be human. Richard Piloco is a truly superb artist. He excels at the marriage of classical technique with the contemporary figure to attain moments that explore basic truths of humanity and nature. In somewhat stark surroundings, "The Crafstman" sits casually astride in his chair drinking a cup of coffee. He seems from his attitude, as comfortable in his skin as he is attired in what might be his favorite jacket and jeans. According to our own experiences, we make assumptions about who this man is and, whatever else he might be, we're pretty sure he is an individualist. And ultimately, as in life, we decide whether or not we like him. The "Young Woman in White", who is not wholly awake yet not really asleep, has surrendered herself to the comfort of the sofa upon which she reclines. We know how the warmth of the sun feels where it falls upon her skin and the gentle folds of her gown. This is the kind of moment we all savor, when the body's tension has dissolved and the mind is free to wander. These are but two of the more than twenty-five paintings Richard Piloco has created for his second one-man exhibition at the gallery. The hallmark of this exceptionally talented artist is the quiet beauty he achieves through his confident brushstrokes, lush surfaces and engaging compositions. A native of New York, Richard Piloco received his undergraduate degree from the School of Visual Arts and later attended The New York Academy of Figurative Art and the Art Students League. In the mid-1990s, he was a member of a prominent group of classically trained representational painters called "The Paint Group", comprised of six artists including Jacob Collins and John Morra. The group has been credited by some as having sparked the resurgence in traditional realist painting over the past several years. In 2002, Mr. Piloco was a member of a select group of artists invited to travel to the Forbes Estate in Northern France to paint, and his work from that period was later shown in an exhibition at the Forbes Galleries. In addition, Mr. Piloco has taught at the Water Street Atelier and acted as a mentor at the Fashion Institute of Technology. His work has been featured in a number of publications including American Arts Quarterly and American Artist. Most recently, he was highlighted in an article entitled "Redefining Portraits" in the February 2006 issue of Art & Antiques magazine.
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