Bryce Lafferty works in JSU’s Art and Design Department as an Associate Professor of Painting and Drawing. Originally from Torrington, CT, Lafferty got his B.A. in Painting from Central Connecticut State University and his M.F.A. in Studio Art from the University of North Texas before he started working at JSU in 2011.

Recently, Lafferty’s piece Eastern Canyon was chosen to be part of the 12^th Annual Drawing Discourse Exhibition in Asheville, NC, where only 120 out 1925 entries were selected. South African juror Pamela Phatsimo Sunstrum examined the work of artists from eleven different countries to find the pieces that would be on display. The Drawing Discourse Exhibition opened January 22, 2021.

Lafferty says that he was very excited when he found out that his drawing had been selected for the exhibition. “I think it’s good to admit that I get rejected from more competitive professional shows and residencies than I am selected for—but that’s true of anyone who puts themselves out there. Drawing Discourse is a great show, and I’ve enjoyed seeing the drawings created by other artists that have also been juried in.”

When asked about the inspiration behind his artwork, Lafferty explained that it is usually driven from curiosity about the natural world, as the area where Jacksonville is situated is rich in natural beauty, with its geologic formations and rare flora and fauna. The aforementioned Eastern Canyon is based off Little River Canyon, just north of Jacksonville.

“There is an extreme beauty that unfolds in one’s mind as you contemplate the geologic timescale of a place like Little River Canyon and how different species of plants use the varying terrain and soil to thrive,” stated Lafferty. “It’s just thrilling to hike down into the canyon on a hot afternoon, following a stream under a dense canopy of leaves, and emerge at the river’s edge. It’s a beautiful sight to see the sun glinting off the surface of the river and watch its rays penetrate down into the clear water. The tree-covered canyon walls tower steeply around you. It’s experiences like this one that move me to create.”

Lafferty would say that he improves a little bit each time he creates something. “When I first started my current body of work, nature elements like trees and rocks within them were simplistic [because] I painted a lot more from memory. But as I’ve continued to develop this series, I’ve become more concerned with showing the actual relationships between plants and geology. That’s meant getting out more and being more careful about documenting and researching my experiences.” Lafferty also explained that there is always something new with art, whether it be a problem, color pairing, technique, or sensation to be captured. He also mentioned that each work has its own set of problems, which can be nerve-wracking when it arises, but that he is always left with newfound knowledge at the end.

Currently, Lafferty is working on a small series of six 8” drawings to be sent to a New Hampshire gallery next month; they are based on an area near Cheaha State Park that he had hiked and camped in with his youngest daughter this past October. 

At JSU, Lafferty teaches classes in drawing, illustration, and painting, but finds that his favorite class is watercolor. He says he practices watercolor use often within his own art, so he feels that he has the most to offer in that course. “It’s a delight to help others discover [watercolor’s] qualities, like its luminosity, transparency, the way it breaks in a wash, and just how beautiful it is.”

What Lafferty likes the most about the Art and Design Department are his colleagues and students. He is very grateful to work with caring, intelligent, and inspiring teachers and artists. “Our students are some of the coolest people with such inspiring ideas. They end up teaching me a ton. I had the privilege of teaching our capstone course the past two semesters, and it was quite a challenge for our students during this pandemic, but I was so impressed by their resilience, positive attitudes, professionalism, creativity, skill, and teamwork.” Even the non-teaching staff add to the atmosphere that Lafferty is so fond of. “Our secretary Brooklyn Miles is such a warm and helpful friend. Always showing concern and support.”

At this time, Lafferty is proud to be able to share that the Art and Design Department has made some advancements with their illustration component. “We have 20 iPads and Apple pencils that students are using to learn digital drawing. I’m floored at how amazing this technology is. It almost feels like traditional drawing but has all the advantages of working digitally.”

Lafferty enjoys hiking and spending time outdoors with his friends and family when he has the time. “Most recently we visited an interesting place just south of Jacksonville, called Flat Rock State Park. It was so fun to look for interesting stones together and climb on rocks and marvel at the giant slab of granite stretching out into the nearby lake. My son spent the entire time looking for bottle caps. It was fun helping him add to his collection.” Lafferty explained that seeing new places and creating new experiences and memories with his children while seeing the world through their perspective is what makes it such a great time.

The advice that Lafferty would give his students is the same advice that he would give his past self. “When I look back at my time as a student, I wish that I had taken more advantage of the programs outside of the standard curriculum that my university offered. I wish I would have studied abroad and applied for more scholarships and taken a greater interest in some of the really neat student organizations.”

Eastern Canyon, Bryce Lafferty