Reflected Glory
Most people would be terrified to juggle knives — or to paint them. Brent McCoy is at ease doing both. The comedian and circus performer spends much of his time on the road, at festivals or paragliding (as one does), but in winter months he’s home in the Northeast Kingdom making photorealistic paintings. Currently on view at Highland Center for the Arts, McCoy’s works are fun and bold, and they showcase a deep mastery of how to paint reflections. “Green Machine” explores every sleek contour of a KitchenAid mixer; bouquets of silverware flaunt reflections full of stripes; the rubbery squish of plastic safety goggles is palpable in a portrait of his partner. And for the traditionalists, landscapes of Hardwick’s rainy streets offer a looser style of reflection.
— Alice Dodge
