What is the relevance of realist art in the 21st century? As artists and teachers, we talk of the roots of our tradition and the masters who have inspired and influenced our work. We are indebted to classical ideals that have taught us to look at the great art of the past and to the real world equally.

Art based on the classical tradition does not result in an imitation of nature but the imitation of nature is the first step to making art - imitation, that is, in the sense of representing the world around us. The classically trained artist selects from and arranges reality to fit his idea and particular part of his work. He strives to create beauty so that his art might achieve a universal significance. The artist's reality becomes our reality, and his imagery enters the realm of our experience and becomes part of the humanist tradition.

We who strive to create images of emotive significance are aware of how high the bar has been placed by our predecessors. To think we have no further goals in realist painting, or question its relevance, would be a mistake. Great art is testament to man's potential. Our time is unique because we have more information available to us than ever before, and more freedom to express whatever we hold true. I believe we are entering a new age of expansion for realist painting, an age that will change painting and the way we look at our work for many years to come.

Daniel Graves