Tension. A new Body of Work.
I recently began work on a new series titled "Tension". In this series of work I created 4 large scale pieces ranging from 5 feet to 8 feet in scale. Have a look at those pieces as well as a video of me in the studio working on them.
I recently began work on a new series titled "Tension". In this series of work I created 4 large scale pieces ranging from 5 feet to 8 feet in scale.
We recently started working on my film "A Canvas of Sound" after a year hiatus and have been interviewing musical artist's about tension in their work or craft, where it exists, when does it exist and how they combat or work through it. I decided I would create a body of paintings that deal with the tension that I feel when creating.
The first piece of this series was titled "Tension Here" and was created out of the emotion between my art and myself, how that tension exists in a small space between my heart/soul and a piece of material that I struggle to give life to.
Tension Here: 60"x34" Acrylic and Graphite on Canvas $2125.00
The second piece of the series is titled "/tenSHen/" which represents a "pulling tightly", the tension that I often feel inside myself as a creator. Always wanting to create, every waking moment, it builds and builds and pulls my mind away at times, and stretches my soul in a moments breath. The only escape or release from that tension is to paint.
/tenSHen/: 76"x40" Acrylic and Graphite on Canvas $3150.00
The 3rd piece in the series is titled "Breathing Through", it was based on a short poem that I wrote while thinking through this body of work. " Breathing through dusty lungs to (2) create here admits this tension." This piece holds heavy truths for me. I have journey'd all over the world in my 40 years of existance and I have experienced heavy truths that exist in our world. With my own eyes I have experienced genocide, rape, hunger, poverty, child soldiers, communism, fear, hatred and many other atrocities that have shaped my soul. There is a tension as an artist to be able to shed light on the truths that exist in this world, that many people do not get to observe, discuss or feel. My lungs have collected dust from all over the world, and so I breath through those lungs as I create.
Breathing Through: 65"x72" Acrylic and Graphite on Canvas $4800.00
The last piece in this series is titled "Tumbleweeds", it is also named after specific prose that I wrote on my studio wall prior to this series beginning, "My tension exists here amongst the tumbleweeds and distant memories, so I live on."
The depth of this piece is wrapped up in a literal tumbleweed. Tumbleweed: any of various plants, as Amaranthus albus, A.graecizans, or the Russian thistle, Salsola kali,whose branching upper parts become detachedfrom the roots and are driven about by the wind. As the tumbleweed gets blown across distance with the wind it gathers up other plants as well and scatters their seeds on its journey. There is much correlation to my life experiences wrapped up in this definition.
Tumbleweeds: 62"x94" Acrylic and Graphite on Canvas $6000
Here is a short video of me creating "Breathing Through" in my Austin Studio.
I truly feel that the Tension series has opened up new direction and confidence for me as a painter as my work evolves. I am currently working on ideas, sketches and studies for a new series titled "Healing Wounds". I have experienced many wounds in my life, seen others experience heavy wounding and I feel as if our society is struggling with decades of deep wounds that continue to plague our unity as a melting pot of other cultures and people groups. I am excited to start painting this week!
Degas, Woody Allen and my Humble Studio in Austin.
"My art, what do you want me to say about it? Do you think you can explain the merits of a picture to those who do not see them?
"My art, what do you want me to say about it? Do you think you can explain the merits of a picture to those who do not see them?...I can find the best and clearest words to explain my meaning, and I have spoken them to the most intelligent people about art, and they have not understood; but among people who understand, words are not necessary, you say humph, he, ha and everything has been said." Edgar Degas
I recently watched Woody Allens "Midnight in Paris" for the first time (and after a long wait). It was everything I hoped it would be and more. I have been in a massive state of creation lately with a new body of work and it was a perfect film to offer me a bit of reflection on a few of my artistic hero's. I am always looking for films that can coincide with a "creative binge", films like ones that Julian Schnabel, Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Wes Anderson, Michel Gondry, or Charlie Kaufman/Spike Jonze would create. Woody did not disappoint me. So often I become like Gil and completely disappear when I enter my Paris (my studio). I often find myself in moments where I am discussing art with my dead peers, sitting for a moment in my pink studio chair and talking to Andy, Jean-Michel, Franz, Rothko, Cy , Degas or many others whose books line my bookshelves'. I get what Edgar is saying in the quote at the beginning of this post. The greatest moments for me while painting are when am talking with my artist peers and moments where words don't need to be spoken. A look, a nod or a snear, a laugh or a grunt speak volumes and encourage the moment where the brush meets the canvas.
So as I continue to master my craft as a painter, I look forward to the silent moments I spend with my hero's and search the quiet for answers and guidance as I move with the rhythm and dreams of one day becoming like them.