pure abstraction

Well, as long as I'm presenting some of the experiments and side projects, here is some pure abstraction. I've often played with what I'll call 'straightforward abstraction' over the years. My initial eureka moment (when I new I had to do art) was primarily about an abstract construct of space. I could say it is also about a state of flux between related parts within a greater whole. Whatever it is, it isn't easy to describe with words- hence the need for visual art. So here is an example of the latest incarnation of the idea- I think of these as a triptych, and hope that one can get a sense of communication between elements in each panel.

recent experiment

And another. Well, you have to read the previous post to know what it is 'another of'.



But i have to admit, picasa does make it easy to crop and post straight from my raw library. So this one is all graphic- taped off edges for a stark feel, but contrasted with defiantly quirky brush strokes. Blocks of flat and impersonal paint vs. variegated and detailed areas. I have no idea if it'll take me anywhere with my main body of work. Perhaps it'll end up on the alter ego site... more about that some other day.

 

experiments

So, one of the beauties of being full time is that i now have the freedom to devote some energy to experiments that have little to do with my main body of work. I know that sometimes these can influence my main themes and ideas, and allow more fresh discoveries. It is a healthy process which i hadn't allowed myself much of over the past few years. With less pressure to make something conform to a set of rules, anything can happen. Of course, if that's all I created, it would be an uncohesive pile of random ideas.

Hmnn. That brings up a notion: most bodies of work are built up upon a base of a self referential history (i dont have the right word at the moment), a set of beliefs and ideas that can crumble without a context. The experiments dont have that, and therefore are somewhat immune from criticism.

Anyway,Here is one from awhile back. Thick slabs, dense brushy field, tenuous lines and an advertisement.

And this is also an experiment testing picasa software. from photolibrary to blog in 1 click. unfortunately, the posting window lacks a few of the normal buttons- for inserting extra images and saving as a draft. so it goes.



 

Blast away

Well, i think i managed to finagle a shift. The struggle to bring some of the pieces that were mostly finished but not yet cherished has finally brought some reward, and relief. The colors that i had were causing me some grief- decidedly foreign to me, i would describe them as 'particularly feminine'. It's vaguely embarrasing sometimes- after all, i'm a macho man ; ) I had arrived at a deep yet chalky purple that made me want to wretch. A mawkish combinatation that could be used for a purpose, but inappropraiate for the painting. At least it turned out to be a good undercolor for the greengrey that it had ended up with.





Another i had received early complements on, and felt compelled to leave. But in the end, it's my painting that i've got to live with having created, and i knew it needed a push. So i made it a bit more intense and brought out more contrast in color and tone. And now i think i could live with it (though it would look fabulous on one of your walls, i'm sure!).





And I might still have a few more tweaks in store.