Friday, April 18, 2014

A New Series of Two-Sided Paintings/Sculptures

I recently finished three pieces of a new series that I am very happy with and I look forward to exploring more. They are two-sided paintings/sculptures. I love how they are unclassifiable, in addition to being both painting and sculpture, they simultaneously represent three different art movements: abstract expressionism, geometric abstraction, and minimalism. 
February 2014a (side one)
mixed media on wood
8.5" x 40" x 1"
2014
They have a lot of contrast, complexity, and depth while also being very simple.
 February 2014a (side one closeup)
Personally, I could look at them indefinitely without getting tired or bored. I feel they provide a lot to see, explore, and experience.
 February 2014a (side one closeup)
I am particularly excited about having a completely natural surface being an important part of the piece. It adds minimalism to the work and makes the wood the subject of the art rather than a surface to build upon. I also find the contrast between the two sides to be very interesting.
 February 2014a (side two)
February 2014a (side two closeup)
The base for all three pieces are made with cherry and stainless steel rods. The rods can be cut to any length so that it can stand on a pedestal, table, or floor but I have initially cut the two larger pieces to stand just over 5' and the smaller one at 3'. With the larger ones I've found that this height creates an interesting experience of being at a human scale -- relating to them becomes more personal. 
base design for all three pieces
stainless steel and wood (cherry)
February 2014b was made at the same time and with the same process steps as February 2014a, so they are very similar and can even work as a diptych, but that wasn't my intent so they are for sale separately.
February 2014b (side one)
mixed media on wood
8.5" x 41" x 1"
2014
February 2014b (side one closeup) 
 February 2014b (side one closeup)
 
 February 2014b (side two)
March 2014 was made at the same time as the other two, and out of the same board of curly maple, but I made a significant change in the painting process early on which resulted in it looking very different.
March 2014 (side one)
mixed media on wood
8.5" x 28" x 1"
2014
March 2014 (side one)
 March 2014 (side one closeup)
March 2014 (side one closeup)
March 2014 (side two)
It is nice to finish work that I believe says exactly what I want them to say. I look forward to seeing and hearing how others react to them.