West, Fall, Black

Reflection of the Human Condition - West, Fall, Black. 4" X 5". Oil on Canvas. Four Winds, Four Directions, Four Seasons, Four Races...

Retribution of the Red Dragon part 4

detail of Retribution of the Red Dragon Oil on Canvas. 6" X 4.5". 12" X 9" overall.

Retribution of the Red Dragon part 3

detail of Retribution of the Red Dragon Oil on Canvas. 6" X 4.5". 12" X 9" overall.

Retribution of the Red Dragon part 2

detail of Retribution of the Red Dragon Oil on Canvas. 6" X 4.5". 12" X 9" overall.

Retribution of the Red Dragon part 1

detail of Retribution of the Red Dragon Oil on Canvas. 6" X 4.5". 12" X 9" overall.

Riding on the Wings of the Golden Dragon pt3

detail of Riding on the Wings of the Golden Dragon Oil on Canvas. 6" X 4.5". 12" X 9" overall.

Riding on the Wings of the Golden Dragon pt2

detail of Riding on the Wings of the Golden Dragon Oil on Canvas. 6" X 4.5". 12" X 9" overall.

Riding on the Wings of the Golden Dragon pt1

detail of Riding on the Wings of the Golden Dragon Oil on Canvas. 6" X 4.5". 12" X 9" overall.

As an artist and creator I have always considered myself and explorer. I have to feel challenged and excited to be fully engaged in the process. I go were ever mt Spirit leads me as I work through my thoughts and experiment with processes. Never being afraid to look at an idea again or even try something completely new. That's how I grow and an artist and expand my understanding of self and the creative process.

Hans Bruckner Walking with Giants part 4

close up of Hans Bruckner Walking with Giants 2006 Oil on Canvas. 6" X 4.5". 12" X 9" overall.

Hans Bruckner Walking with Giants part 3

close up of Hans Bruckner Walking with Giants 2006 Oil on Canvas. 6" X 4.5". 12" X 9" overall.

Like wild birds we flutter around in mass, not knowing the reason why. But we somehow know that something is wrong. Something bad is coming.

That is the Spirit, our connection to all things that is speaking to us.
Our collective Spiritual self speaking to our individual physical selves...

Warning us of a yet unknown, unseen but impending doom. Whay WILL you do?

I am only here for a short time and can only help you so much. The rest WILL be up to you to understand and discover. In my art lie clues, clues that are hidden in the fabric of color and stroke. Images and meaning that tell of a world both past, present and future. For all to see if only you have the eye needed to see. You must be able to look beyond the obvious in order to know. The truths that is shows with great pain that it flows. I don't expect you to see, or if you do, to understand. Such is the WILL of the Masters hand. But if you do, please let me know. As I would be thrilled to know that there are other Souls that can see these truths that I sew.

Hans Bruckner Walking with Giants part 2

close up of Hans Bruckner Walking with Giants 2006 Oil on Canvas. 6" X 4.5". 12" X 9" overall.

Hans Bruckner Walking with Giants part 1

close up of Hans Bruckner Walking with Giants 2006 Oil on Canvas. 6" X 4.5". 12" X 9" overall.

Walking with giants.
The Guardian, the protector, the guide

weaving space and time, the fabric of creation
onto the canvas, my canvas with paint
my very soul aches

if it were not for the giants that walk with me
the ones that are rarely spoken of and
never mentioned in casual conversation
i would not be able to continue my labors

we are all one
what we do to others
we do to ourselves

now you hear
now will you listen
for an hour
for a day
for a second
then away

or will you hold true to the dream
and in time find away
to do you part
make us all do our part
and believe right now
you and i

that it must be so
why don't you see
as the world turns
so do we

we will have been judged
righteous and worthy

or just fade away

--
Ars est Celare Artem (art that conceals art) is the lie that reveals the truth. rjk

The Struggle Continues part 4

close up of 2006 The Struggle Continues Oil on Canvas. 6" X 4.5". 12" X 9" overall.

Ars est Celare Artem (art that conceals art). I am not unlike the surrealists and cubists of the past. As I seek to conceal and reveal my imagery and meaning in my works. However, I am not just using not just the idea of expanding time, or trying to show various sides of an object. I seek to illustrate a different truth. One that is of many different times and places, all existing at once on my canvas. This myriad of layered compositions creates a multi-dimensional view of the world as I see it. All times, all things, all places existing, interlocking, interweaving. This is the fabric of Time and Space. Thus my paintings and drawings become the two dimensional representations of how I see. When we can see past the reality we collectively manifest. There is a great sense of freedom I feel as I go beyond our conscious reality. And see beyond the lies we collectively believe.

So, it is through unlocking and calling upon my subconscious mind to bring forth images that I find my truth. As I allow my subconscious mind to flow freely and call forth it's images I am using my conscious mind to control my eye hand coordination. This is how I believe I can pull into this world thoughts and images from beyond the veil of lies we all must endure in this reality. The lie I want to believe. The lie that conceals the truth. The one that allows me to fully exercise my freedom of speech and self expression.

I am more than a one dimensional artist. I have always had broad interests in my creative studies and throughout my life. While I was in school one of the things I remember was being criticized for having to many branches and not a big enough trunk... Basically because I wanted to research and study many different styles and philosophies to broaden my experience and understanding I was thought to be less focused. Perhaps even less successful than I could be. But, that is their lie, not mine! Now, nearly thirty years later my vision is sharpening and much more focused and unique because for the path I took. The journey has been long and difficult, but I am certain it was and is the right path for my creative evolution.

As I see and learn a little about Quantum Physics, and it's relevance to our understanding of time and space. I wonder if this feeling that I have is a connection to a larger eternal creative Spirit. Or, have I found a way for my future super self to interact and communicate with my self of this time. If my super self is revealing truths to my current self by a future super conscious self. If so, is this a type of time travel?

As I work and watch the marks I make unfold deeper intent than merely marks made to appear as something like a person, boat or mountain. They become objects, beings, creatures in and of themselves. Many recognizable to me as people, things or animals like, houses, boats, horses, owls, hawks, eagles, bear. It as if the art I make conceals more art at a deeper level. And again I am back to Ars est Celare Artem (art that conceals art).

The Struggle Continues part 3

close up of 2006 The Struggle Continues Oil on Canvas. 4" X 5". 8" X 10" overall.

The Struggle Continues part 2

close up of 2006 The Struggle Continues Oil on Canvas. 4" X 5". 8" X 10" overall.


As the New Year begins I leave you with this thought as my gift.

My fellow artists, Americans, human beings of this plane, of this planet.

Please ask yourself today,
is the World you live in
the one the most desire.

Or have you become part of that
which you most despise.

without compassion and an open mind
this USA of yours
this USA of mine
will continue to fall
in the eyes of the world

Please consider this as you see this little piece of art of mine.

I hope that the link below workss for you so you can slao check out the companion piece I ust finsihed titled: Where have we been, What have we become, Where are we headed.
http://www.mnartists.org/work.do;jsessionid=7E921642AB339673184375C62B732AAD?rid=129438

I hope it reveals a part of it's truth to you as you ponder the lie.
Peace in 2007.

The Stuggle Continues part 1

close up of 2006 The Struggle Continues Oil on Canvas. 4" X 5". 8" X 10" overall.


This series of work is all outcome of my desire to remove my conscious self from the creative process and let the work develop and be born out of the process. In much the same way I believe that Max Ernst did back at the turn of the 20th century. In his artistic works, Ernst attempts to uncover the mysteries of the creative process within himself. Seeking to extend consciousness into the regions of inspiration. He once described his work as an attempt to conquer the last great myth of civilization, the myth surrounding the creative process. He shared this aim with Andre Breton, the ideological leader of surrealism.

Breton called on artists to expend all their efforts in the study of what he believed to be the most complex mechanism of all, artistic inspiration. Ernst wrote, "Thanks to studying enthusiastically the mechanism of inspiration, the surrealists have succeeded in discovering certain essentially poetic processes whereby the plastic work's elaboration can be freed from the sway of the so-called conscious faculties.

I am more than a one dimensional artist. I have always had broad interests in my creative studies and throughout my life. While I was in school one of the things I remember was being criticized for having to many branches and not a big enough trunk... Basically because I wanted to research and study many different styles and philosophies to broaden my experience and understanding I was thought to be less focused. Perhaps even less successful than I could be. But, that is their lie, not mine! Now, nearly thirty years later my vision is sharpening and much more focused and unique because for the path I took. The journey has been long and difficult, but I am certain it was and is the right path for my creative evolution.

I believe in this way I can truly express myself, my inner vision, my unique view of the world around me. Otherwise, I mainly find myself recreating or trying to represent something that already exists. As I look to exercise my right to the freedom of self expression to it's fullest potential. And to me the way to do that is to get my conscious mind out of the way and let my deeper inner thoughts arise. Using my eyes, hands and skills to bring them forth into this world. That's the lie I wish to believe, the lie I live. rjk

2006 High Plains Drifter part 4

close up of 2006 High Plains Drifter Oil on Canvas. 4" X 5". 8" X 10" overall.

This is the final installment of the High Plains Drifter. This series of work is all an outcome of my desire to remove my conscious self from the creative process and let the work develop and be born out of the process. In much the same way I believe that Max Ernst did back at the turn of the 20th century. In his artistic works, Ernst attempts to uncover the mysteries of the creative process within himself. Seeking to extend consciousness into the regions of inspiration. He once described his work as an attempt to conquer the last great myth of civilization, the myth surrounding the creative process. He shared this aim with Andre Breton, the ideological leader of surrealism. Breton called on artists to expend all their efforts in the study of what he believed to be the most complex mechanism of all, artistic inspiration. Ernst wrote, "Thanks to studying enthusiastically the mechanism of inspiration, the surrealists have succeeded in discovering certain essentially poetic processes whereby the plastic work's elaboration can be freed from the sway of the so-called conscious faculties.

I have found that although one can learn much academically about art, art theory, and technique, one can not learn to be creative, nor can one learn to be inspired. So, in parallel with my other work I am also researching and practicing a very different form of self expression. Using Surrealist techniques that I seemed to understand and know before I ever learned about them I am working to produce a body of work that is more spontaneous in execution. This work although deeply rooted in Surrealism is prompted by something personal, something from deep inside of me, something I feel I can only truly get at and manifest by seeking out my deepest inner most thoughts. Using and crating techniques that allow me to be a viewer and participant in the creation. I watch as my hand makes marks and take careful note as to what it is that the marks look like. Then as I work as see things unfold I work to draw them out into the world just enough so others can see them too.

It is a difficult and sometimes contrary road to walk. But I am driven to follow my heart and inspiration to it's end. Because I believe that my gifts, my talent and my inspiration are Spiritual gifts. Granted to me. I approach my work, with great seriousness, reflection, exuberance, focus, passion and a true purpose. I also expect a high level of excellence in craftsmanship out of myself. I do this out of respect for my gifts. I feel I must approach my artistic endeavors with a great deal of respect. Each act of creation for me is a celebration of my gifts. That's me. The lie I live.

2006 High Plains Drifter part 3

close up of 2006 High Plains Drifter Oil on Canvas. 4" X 5". 8" X 10" overall.

"He who does not see more vividly and clearly than this perishing mortal eye can see, does not see creatively at all." William Blake

"Art is the lie that tells the truth." Pablo Picasso

"A work of Art is a small fragment from the eternal stream of the Creative Spirit which springs forth into existence through the persistence and focused thought of the Artist." "It's the lie that unveils the truth, makes it more clear, and gives truth it's substance. One can only see clearly, more clearly than the mere mortal eye when one concentrates enough to push through the veil of lies. This is the state of being, the one of enlightenment in which all true creativity occurs and great Art is created." Robert James Kelly

2006 High Plains Drifter part 2

close up of 2006 High Plains Drifter Oil on Canvas. 4" X 5". 8" X 10" overall. The rider's intent so strong, his pace so fast that he leaves a whirlwind in his path. Cleansing and restoring the natural order of the plains as he rides west against the sun.

2006 High Plains Drifter part 1

close up of 2006 High Plains Drifter Oil on Canvas. 4" X 5". 8" X 10" overall.

If the past is the present and the present the future then he still rides today. The rider be the immortal, reincarnate herald of redemption and retribution from the old book. I see it as a visage, a fury, a whirlwind that consumes and destroys as it rides on a pale horse a blaze in the light of the setting sun. A vision that all at once calls up fear for some and hope for those to which it has been called to champion.