About Me

EDDIE REED
SINCE 1966

Art is a crucial way of sharing unique perspectives, reminding us of the past, and envisioning future possibilities. Throughout history, art has been used for education, revolution, politics, propaganda, emotions, subversion, and sharing transformative experiences. Art always contains a message and cannot be neutral”. 

I am painting for a general audience about societal themes effecting us all, issues America continues to face that prevent us from addressing newer and equally insidious threats to humanity—and too our own survival.

My work has always reflected the deep interest in important but overlooked histories. In particular a longstanding engagement with issues of race, gender identity, social class, poverty.  All often not reflected in America’s art history.

About Me

EDDIE REED
SINCE 1966

I knew I wanted to be recognized as a professional artist when I won a local contest sponsored by my hometown radio station looking for a new logo. I was then in the sixth grade. About that same time my mother enrolled me in a local arts program for kids, the Living Arts Center. I received many compliments from my peers and teacher for my drawing skills. That was a big self-esteem boost. With a pencil I could faithfully reproduce anything. I was especially found of scientific illustrations, which I practiced copying from a set of encyclopedias. I found myself spending hours upon hours copying the illustrations in those books with my colored pencils…
It was in those daily-drawing activities that I learned about.

“The secret sauce of my art making is to convey with honesty the realities of human relations through dialogue using contemporary art practices, but not so full of domesday that it hinders seeing new paths for the future… “ Eddie Reed

Limei Lai interviews contemporary northwest artist

 Eddie Reed Blackfish Gallery Portland Oregon 

Make it and Make it Good

Make it and Make it Good, Make it and Make it Good,
The Bravery of Blackfish and Some Determined Artists, The Bravery of Blackfish and Some Determined Artists,
We March to See the World, We March to See the World,
Life Art and Identity, Life Art and Identity,
Featured artwork

Art is an ongoing conversation between human beings

My art strives to spark “meaning of life” conversations through the use of social realist storytelling, color-rich action painting, and sacred symbolism,

that question America’s social constructs and contradictory moods concerning Race and power.


Who Will Save Me

Size: 40 x 30inches

 

acrylic/ mixed medium on wood board.. commentary on the danger of our ambivalence toward our ocean environment.

Dr Feel Good

Commentary on the the consequences of the current pandemic narrative, allowing uninformed hysteria to stand in for informed fact.

36x48in, Acrylic/mixed medium on panel
YOU TOO

Featured artwork

Art is an ongoing conversation between human beings

My art strives to spark “meaning of life” conversations through the use of social realist storytelling, color-rich action painting, and sacred symbolism, that question America’s social constructs and contradictory moods concerning Race and power,

A Change Gonna Come

Commentary on the courage and the strife to speak up and stand out.

38 x 48in acrylic on wood panel
SAY HIS NAME

Commentary on the Nation’s
Summer of Strife

38 x 46in, Acrylic on Wood Board
SAY HIS NAME

Commentary on the Nation’s
Summer of Strife

38 x 46in, Acrylic on Wood Board
NOT HERE TO PUT

YOU AT EASE
SAY HIS NAME

Commentary on the Nation’s
Summer of Strife

38 x 46in, Acrylic on Wood Board
NOT HERE TO PUT

YOU AT EASE

Enough

Commentary on the innocences lost in the face of America’s unchecked gun culture.

28x32in
Medium: acrylic/mixed medium on wood board
Black Cotton

Commentary on the innocences lost in the face of America’s unchecked gun culture.

48x36in
Acrylic/ mix medium on wood board

Commentary on America’s for profit prison system

HELLO, MY NAME IS

I saw them go to pieces

Commentary on the rising tide of homelessness. What does it say about us when our nation can spend 10b for building a telescope for space exploration but can’t provide affordable housing and get good people out of tents ?

Acrylic/ Mixed Medium on wood board
40x30in

HELLO, MY NAME IS

I saw them go to pieces

Commentary on the rising tide of homelessness. What does it say about us when our nation can spend 10b for building a telescope for space exploration but can’t provide affordable housing and get good people out of tents ?

Acrylic/ Mixed Medium on wood board
40x30in

HELLO STRANGER

line
line
24inches x 30inches

Rising Son

Acrylic/mixed medium on wood board Commentary on what it’s like when innocence is lost..
   FULL VIEW