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Much More Than Dots

2012-02-23T21:05:00.000-05:00

Peter Schuyff uses dots, circles and combinations thereof (and other shapes) to hijack his compositions. These pretty little disruptors have a charm all their own, coaxing us to reconsider how things work in the picture plane. This image is from the Self Portraits, at his Website and he also does the same kind of thing in the Drawings On Drawings Series. But then he wanders off in other directions; or so it seems. My impression is that he's just teasing us with simple complexities: plumbing any deeper meaning is up to us.

You really should do a little research before coming to any conclusions. There's some very beautiful work out there, not shown on his site.

If you were wondering what makes him tick, watch this video for an unusual bit of entertainment.

Blob-Dots

2012-02-15T19:53:00.000-05:00

Charlotte Smith goes beautifully batty when doing her dots. Some paintings are restrained and serene; others are full-on assults to the senses. I won't even try to explain the works with stacked dots of paint; you can see that and others, Here (keep clicking right)

She's represented by, and this image is from Cris Worley Gallery where you'll find more paintings. To see her more traditional works, go Here.

A Smattering Of Gestures

2012-02-12T20:15:00.000-05:00

Ah, the mechanics of painting. When I look at Elise Freda's paintings, they feel like simple recipes with no salt or sugar added. Or maybe they're dance steps for the mind. At any rate, there's a sense that she's gone far enough, decided to stop and that's that. (bring your own magic)

This image is from her Website, where there's plenty of work to enjoy.

Artist Signature

2012-02-08T18:51:00.000-05:00

We usually think of an artist signing their name to the work to signal it's completion, but some have decided to use it as part of the composition. I was more impressed with Todd Kelly's efforts than others. This painting especially, caught my eye because it's slightly reminiscent of Andy Warhol's Death and Destruction Series (especially the Green Car Crash). Please click to enlarge. Using brushwork, spray paint and stencils he reaches out in several directions of experimentation, using his name as a cursive or hard-edged element. Some are playful, while others have the feel of a foot firmly planted in a good direction. He's represented by the Asya Geisberg Gallery, where you'll find installation shots of his 2011 Show as well and individual works.

This image from Anaba.

The Dot Phase

2012-02-01T14:42:00.000-05:00

     So many artists go through a "dot phase" as to make you think it's de rigueur. Whether they're sampling others' ideas or stretching their own boundaries, using the dot as a tool or sole subject matter is an exercise with a long history of success.

     Eli Bornowsky's production of dot paintings in 2008, 9 and 10 are not only fascinating and pleasing, but they have a scientific feel to them; as through he is testing color theories. I think that after the over exposure to Hirst's particular grid pattern, you'll find Bornowsky's compositions a welcome and soothing relief.

     This image is from his Website and targeted to the Works on Paper, page. Be sure to also check out the paintings from 2010; then click on the other links to see how different his work is before and after the dot phase. You may agree with me in thinking that his most beautiful paintings are the Dots.

Speaking In Color

2012-01-28T20:03:00.000-05:00

Deborah Kass likes to be seen and heard; through her art work. She's not shouting, but she does get your attention and many of the paintings are constructed with words or phrases.

This image is from her Website, where you'll find a good sampling of her work. But please go HERE and watch the video, studio visit. It's entertaining and you'll come to understand the art-historical influences that precipitate her different series.

Damien Hirst Does Spots

2012-01-19T18:59:00.000-05:00

A lot , correction, an awful lot has been said about Damien Hirst's Global Exhibition of Spot Paintings which made me decide to refrain from commenting. It seemed like one more review and we'd all blow up from information/opinion overload.

Fortunately for mankind, here is the man himself, sanely explaining what, hows come and why. Very nice.

Damien Hirst: On the Spotfrom Matt Black on Nowness.com.
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- If you're seeing a white screen where the vidoe should be, just click on the first link (Damien Hirst . . ) to access the video.

AND, you'll find an eighteen-plus, minute video of an interview with Charlie Rose HERE.

By now, you're quite aware that this Blog is about pointillism and paintings with dots. To my knowledge, Hirst is the only artist who calls his marks, spots. In my opinion spots are bigger than dots, so the thought occurred that maybe we should have a new category called Spot Paintings into which I would place artists who make larger dots - which qualify as spots. For example: Thomas Downing.

What are you thoughts ?

Video from NOWNESS.com.

Stencil On Cardboard

2012-01-14T20:54:00.000-05:00

This video is quite a dramatic introduction to the amazing work of EVOL. He works hard at the realism and juxtaposes it with the casualness of cardboard, which magically adds even more authenticity to the work.

Hungry for more images?

Wilde Gallery has a pdf with an interview and many images.

flickr search. Google Image search.

A fun video showing how he does it with many layers of stencils.

Child Pointillism

2012-01-08T20:27:00.000-05:00

The concept by artist Yayoi Kusama was simple; provide a stark, white space and turn kids loose with colored stickers. Queensland Art Gallery of Modern Art supplied the average-home type space and the dots: the results are delightful. What better way to introduce the young to modern pointillism, than by the master herself.

See the humorous photo set HERE.

Image is from Twisted Sifter, courtesy of Queensland Art Gallery of Modern Art.

Fresh Ideas

2012-01-06T22:05:00.000-05:00

When is a painting not a painting ? In the case of Sarah Steinwachs, you'll forget that question as you're swept up in her luminous and sometimes glorious hand-cut paper and mixed media works. Please enlarge this image, from her Website and you'll understand completely. Then visit her Site for more palette-cleansing works.

Fluid Lines (with meaning)

2011-12-31T20:14:00.000-05:00

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Smash 137 - a fine contemporary Artist who's successfully transitioned his graffigraphy from the street to the gallery; deftly refocusing his abilities. This video from Graffuturism (and still images) gives a pretty good over view of the studio side of his oeuvre. Watching a b&w slideshow (complete with scintillating jazz) at Ruedione shows the strength of his compositions even without color.

I've had a "Smash File" for some time now; collecting links and wondering when I could properly present this artist's work. He is yet another example of how the many, familiar classic styles(schools) of modern and contemporary art are filtering through into street art today. His Diptych on concrete (below), with one panel empty is a familiar Andy Warhol trope. A short video of a Show at Speerstra has other examples that help make my point.

Justifiably proud of his work, his Website has 259 quality images. If that's too daunting for you, try skipping ahead by 3's or change the page number in your browser window. Besides traveling around the world, you'll soon notice that each piece (which is an iteration of his name) is titled and has it's own theme and color palette. The words "practice, practice, practice" come to mind and by-Jove, I think he's "got it". And yet, I much prefer his gallery pieces and hope this is just the beginning.

Enticing Textures

2011-12-29T19:01:00.002-05:00

If you'll enlarge and study this painting ('Dream of Pollock' (for Kirk Varnedoe), 2007) by Martin Kline for just a minute, you'll get past the ho-hum feeling that he's emulating Pollock: he's not. The center area of this work is just a clue to the magnificent and colorful/textural paintings you'll find on his WEBSITE. (3 pages of paintings) I especially appreciate how he uses the color and grain of the panel supports to compliment his handiwork. It's unfortunate that the site's images don't enlarge, so I'm showing you this picture from a set of nineteen from his Show at Gowen Contemporary Gallery which includes installation shots and examples of other facets of his oeuvre.

Image from Gowen Contemporary.

Quiet Christmas

2011-12-25T09:00:00.001-05:00

We didn't get snow for Christmas this year, so for all the planning, gifts and decorations it feels like something's missing. But the day will still be very special with church, dinner and time spent with loved ones.

Wishing you and yours a wonderful Christmas Day and hope for great things for all of us in the New Year.

Dot, Lines and Circles

2011-12-19T19:39:00.000-05:00

Andrea Ferrigno's art will take you places. She samples so many different styles with her dots and lines that you'll wonder which way is up. I beg you to visit her Blog and enjoy this girl's seemingly, ever-changing oeuvre; because just one image does not fully represent her work.

Image is from her Blog.

Doodling With Power Tools

2011-12-14T19:54:00.001-05:00

When DJ Simpson doodles, he does it in a big way. Using wooden support, laminate and/or industrial paints, he makes his marks with a router. I'd be curious to know his music choices; blaring over the mechanical din and shower of wood particles. You'll find a short Statement here.

The image is from Sies + Hoke Gallery and his 2006 Exhibition images. He has some smaller works in pinks and yellow that are quite charming.

Other images can be found at Sue Crockford Gallery and it's worth a look to see his installation at Gowen Contemporary.

The Dot Phase

2011-12-09T21:08:00.001-05:00

I used to be somewhat surprised, but have become used to the fact that many an artist goes through a phase where they use dots in their paintings. Jozsef Bullas creates what might be loosely categorized as both op-art and fuzzy plaids. I mean that with the utmost respect and you'll see what I mean when you visit his Website. It's a treat, full of surprises to see the chronology of his work clear back to '89 and you'll notice that not only do some of the square patterns become round, but sometimes he's inserted a whole new train of thought by adding asymmetrical or random dots to the composition.

Typographic Topography

2011-12-03T20:38:00.001-05:00

Keira Rathbone doesn't worry too much about words-per-minute; she's busy trying to get the perspective just right. It's just another proud example of artists finding ways to express themselves uniquely.

This image is from MyLoveForYou, where you'll find some more close-ups of this work and links to her site. More examples of her work Here.

And unbelievably, Mark Lawrence also does this kind of art with a more nuanced approach. Check out the middle two rows of images on his Website.

Today's Pointillism

2011-11-26T19:22:00.001-05:00

Pointillism never really died. But if it did, it's been resurrected many times over and in many new and interesting ways. The two works in this image from John Houck's Website are a good case-in-point. These are (re)photographs and you'll appreciate them and his process a whole lot more by reading the short explanation Here.

Paisley, Pacific(NW) & Pop-Pointillism

2011-11-19T22:41:00.001-05:00

This image is from Claes Gabriel's Website.

The leaves have fallen and with the coming of snow, sometimes it feels like the world is turning dark and white. So treat yourself and visit his site.

Acrylic, Pencil & Collage

2011-11-12T17:55:00.001-05:00

Sighklops 2011

mixed mediums on canvas by Adeaner

( Dean Aldrich )

              Your highheels worked their magic
             with the klippity-klop of little monsters.

Your red lips beckoned
            with their war-paint grease.

             Your rose-capped mountains hollared
             "hike me!"

             an play

Pleasant Surprises

2011-11-09T19:46:00.000-05:00

My Very Strength (is my weakness)

A while back, I finally got around to moving my "studio" from the screened-in porch to my bedroom for the winter: the timing was perfect. A special work table, my paints on a small 3-shelf bookcase and a 4' tall rack to hold paintings-in-progress was all that would fit and still allow me to enjoy the limited space. So I got settled into my room, surveyed the different paintings that should be "finished" and pulled this one out with every intention of taking it further. At least five or more years ago, this piece began from one of those moments in time where you have no idea what you're doing, but you feel compelled to do it; almost like an itch. An artistic itch, I suppose. I remember, now that I was going through a difficult time; barely hanging on emotionally. And with no more ideas or direction, it sat until months or years later some blue, pink and cream was added to the background. But now, suddenly I was falling in love with it. This felt more like a gift that I had finally gotten around to noticing and right out loud I said "I'm not touching this". So it hangs above the side of my bed and every morning and evening as I open or close my eyes, amazement and admiration fills me and I wonder how in the world I went about making this and could the process ever be repeated. "How did I do that?" - a thought that so often comes to an artist when viewing one of their successful paintings.

click on image to enlarge.

Asian Calligraphy-Styled Graffiti

2011-11-07T21:25:00.000-05:00

This image of works by Tsang Tsou-choi, aka "The King Of Kowloon" is from CNN GO; you can read the Article Here.

More images at Arrested Motion.

Painted Text

2011-11-05T20:27:00.001-04:00

Larry Mullins presents the idea of paintings having meaning, in a different way. His compositions are visually pleasing and the words act much as lyrics do in a song. Unlike sheet music though, they act more like a puzzles to be solved. This link to his Website goes to the older examples first, so you can appreciate the more poetic style of the later works.

Some Press Here with links to a Review.

A Thicket Of Gestures

2011-10-29T20:33:00.000-04:00

Some of Martha Sedgwick's paintings make you just want to stick you fingers right into them and rip till you get through to the other side; or at least find out what is on the other side. And I mean that in a good way. She's been working with marks and gestures for a while now and it's definitely her train-of-thought. Please do spend a little time snooping around her Website and see where she's been visually - very interesting. I was pretty amazed by her Gull Pond Series from 2002 and 03 (in the Archives) and hope she revisits that style again . They make for quite a juxtaposition with the snap-crackle of this one.

Painting, Writing & collage

2011-10-24T19:36:00.000-04:00

This is one of several recent paintings where I've returned to my own particular painting roots which incorporate painting, drawing, writing, pastel and pencil work, newspaper collage and generated collage. (can't think of a proper term for it at the moment, what I'm talking about is collage generated by cutting up personal paintings or drawings: some of which might be over 20 years old, like the red piece, top right.) As usual, the title came early on in the painting: "The Other Side Of The Nickel". I won't bore you with the details, but there's a story nice behind each component, including the writing parts.

At the moment it's hanging above the foot of my bed and every morning and evening I get to enjoy it all over again. This is on the thinner version of gallery-wrap canvas, so the painting extends around the edges. The word "water" is mostly on the bottom of the canvas with just the top of the W showing. I especially enjoy how the composition really spreads out over the canvas; seems to really fill up the space in a comfortable way; and how that yellowish bit of collage (at the top with the beginnings of the word "scienterrific") take you clear up to the top of the painting.

My last exhibition was a room full of my Dot Paintings. It was a good "hang" and I presented a concise statement and rather than "wall text", showed small thumbnails of the stages those paintings went through (next to each painting) to help further inform the viewer. An unexpected reaction to that was that several people liked the "underpaintings" better than the finished abstract pointillist work. This has caused me to rethink my direction and to revisit my signature style of acrylic painting, drawing, collage and writing. (You'll notice there's some dots thrown in for good measure.)