Matrix 071

Matrix 071 Oil on Canvas. 8" X 10". Finding the figure in abstraction.
Matrixing, leveraging the mind using the theories of Gestalt psychology. I find my best abstractions to be a matrix for the viewer to unveil their own forms. This painting is one example. As are the other pieces from my "Finding the figure in abstraction" series. The Gestalt effect refers to the form-forming capability of our senses, particularly with respect to the visual recognition of figures and whole forms instead of just a collection of simple shapes; lines, curves or other smaller visual elements that comprise the whole composition.

A few other descriptions:

Matrixing is a term used to describe the human mind's natural tendency to find familiar forms in complex shapes or colors.

Matrixing is a process by which we humans continually organize, order, align, or standardize, the un-organized, un-ordered, mis-aligned, or non-standardized, allowing us to manage the chaos around us into something that is more beneficial to us.

A matrix is a system that abounds in creativity.

Woman of the Red Earth

Woman of the Red Earth Oil on Canvas. 8" X 10".

Another in my series of automatic gesture paintings. I call them this because the images are evoked through the process of applying the paint freely and then in retrospect letting my subconscious mind guide me in pulling out the subject from the initial mark making session.

I have found this process to be truer to my nature than any other I have experimented with. And because of that I create more genuine and unique imagery. Imagery that is painterly and compositions that are fluid binding the aspects of figure and ground into a cohesive whole.

In the end the process and overall painting are more important to me than the subject. Although I am amazed and inspired at the profound images I often find. The concept; that even in my intentional attempt to create random subconscious marks my conscious mind still insists on finding patterns, shapes and form.

I find this to be a very human condition. And one worthy of exploring. I hope you find your own inspiration in it.

Dream Talk

Dream Talk - panel 3 of 8 Oil on Canvas.

Veil over Brianna 2

Veil over Brianna 2. My Daughter Digital after image from original oil on canvas.

My Daughter

Brianna. My Daughter Oil on Canvas. 18" X 24".

Brianna

Brianna. My Daughter Oil on Canvas. 18" X 24".

Lies we tell, lies we believe

Reflection of the Human Condition - Lies we tell, lies we believe. 4" X 5". Oil on Canvas. Two faced, talking out both sides of your face, white man speaks with fork tongue. I am sure you have heard these and probably many more. They are verbal descriptions of what we feel is one the worse kinds of human behavior - living and representing with no honor. We find ourselves in a world were someone's word means nothing. Or, worse yet their word is an out right lie used to manipulate others for their own personal benefit. Four Winds, Four Directions, Four Seasons, Four Races...

Multiculturalism

Reflection of the Human Condition - Multiculturalism. 6" X 8". Oil on Canvas. The new human condition: Multilingual, Multinational, Multiracial. I am all about inclusion not exclusion. Four Winds, Four Directions, Four Seasons, Four Races...

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...

South, Summer, Yellow

Reflection of the Human Condition - South, Summer, Yellow. 4" X 5". Oil on Canvas. Four Winds, Four Directions, Four Seasons, Four Races...

East, Spring, Red

Reflection of the Human Condition - East, Spring, Red. 4" X 5". Oil on Canvas. Four Winds, Four Directions, Four Seasons, Four Races...

North, Winter, White

Reflection of the Human Condition - North, Winter, White. 4" X 5". Oil on Canvas. Four Winds, Four Directions, Four Seasons, Four Races...

Four Winds

Four Winds - Reflection of the Human Condition. 4" X 5". Oil on Canvas. This is the beginning of a mini series in my painting a day series: Four Directions, Four Seasons, Four Races... North, Winter, White - East, Spring, Red - South, Summer, Yellow - West, Fall, Black.

Five in a Row

Glass Block 12 - Five in a Row. Digital.

bri070407.jpg

Glass Block 12 - Brianna. Oil on Canvas. 18" X 24". Since I had a full day to paint I did this piece a la prima yesterday. It is of my 16 year old daughter Brianna. SHe now has her driver's license, a car, two part time jobs for the summer... and is getting all grown up right in front of me. I wanted to do this since New Years Eve as I could see her changing into a young woman and wanted to capture her youthful essence. I hope that you enjoyed your Independence Day too.

Proud Rock

Glass Block 12 - Proud Rock. Digital

Basket Woman Rock

Glass Block 12 - Basket Woman Rock. Digital

Marble Goddess

Glass Block 12 - Marble Goddess. Digital

Glass Block 12 - Time to go

Glass Block 12 - Time to go. Digital

7:12 On the Beach

Glass Block 12 - 712. Digital