| Artist's Statement |
Continuum: Rhythm, Chance and Circumstance
The new paintings for my show at Craighead Green Gallery are a collection of encaustic and mixed media works that were completed in 2010-11, and reflect my interest in continuing a dialog with a series of work that has been evolving for several years now.
My approach with these abstract paintings was to start with a concept such as “language” or “dance” and then find ways to incorporate those ideas into compelling works of art. I started each piece with a paper collage ground and then alternated applications of acrylic, oil and collage before applying layers of encaustic. I wanted this latest body of work to be very intense in terms of color so these palates are any thing but muted.
The “Currents” series for me is like an ongoing conversation with an old friend. When I begin another painting in this series the conversation picks right back up where I left it with the last piece but there is new territory to explore. There is a consistent continuity with these paintings that I find very comforting. The pictorial use of the carved line imagery that runs through each painting gives the pieces a formal, organized structure which competes with the the expressionistic brush work and mark-making that is layered throughout. Striking the right balance between these different approaches helps to create a sense of "surface tension" that is very important to me.
With "Jingle Jangle #3" and the other "dot" paintings, I wanted these pieces to have a tribal-like rhythmic quality to them and to explode off the surface. I tried to capture and freeze these paintings in the split-second moment before their next anticipated, convulsive movement. As with the "Currents" series, these works of art are meant to be highly energized through the use of color, form, line and texture.
My inspiration for this latest body of work essentially came from looking at other artist's work. I recently saw paintings and collages by Matisse and was blown away all over again by his use of color and composition. The paper cut out pieces that he did late in his life are masterful in their simplicity and formal structure. I also saw the latest work by Brice Marden with his signature line work in dazzling colors, weaving beautifully throughout the paintings creating stunning depth across the picture's surface. These great artists have created work that is instantly recognizable as their own and as far as I'm concerned, that is one of the most significant achievements any artist can make.
2011 |
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