In the Chutes depicts a common sight from Jeff Berryman’s childhood. “These corrals were used by my grandpa until recently. I enjoyed working the cattle all day. It was fun honest work – sorting the cattle, pushing them through the chutes, giving vaccines, ear tagging… It was always interesting to me. I still feel a real bond to that life,” Jeff explains.
In the Chutes
The painting, he says, is a connection to the past. Much of his inspiration comes from his life in the farm country of northeastern Colorado. He grew up in the house where his uncle, Jim Klein, lives and works. “Living here was an open port to everything,” he says. “It was the best way to grow up. My brother and I would go to the river bottom to explore and get dirty. My sisters, too. My mom would just say, ‘Be home before dark.’ We were outside all the time.”
Perhaps the most notable quality of Jeff’s work is its dreamlike – and slightly whimsical – nature, made more powerful by the thought and skill behind it. Years ago he began describing his “Surruralism” style this way: “I like to take the ordinary and make it extraordinary.”
In the Chutes is a reminder not just of Jeff’s past, but of a heritage that is fading.
“All this will be gone someday. We don’t have cows anymore and will someday tear this feedlot down as well. This pai
nting is a glimpse back at America.” It’s important for people to know about this, and to remember it, he adds. “It’s a snapshot of a period in time. It’s not exactly a history lesson, but I wanted to get people’s attention.”
Putting his own fresh, modern spin on these timeless scenes, Jeff was recently honored to be part of this year’s highly prestigious Coors Western Art Exhibit & Sale at the National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colorado.
In conjunction with the Scottsdale Art Association’s “New West Artwalk”, The J Klein Gallery proudly presents the body of work of Jeffrey Berryman on THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2016 from 7-9 pm.
Meet Jeffrey, enjoy evening treats and one special guest will win a giclée of “In the Chutes”.