Art vs. Talking about Art

There is a great strand of comments about this going on on JT Kirkland's Blog Thinking About Art.

a maps little spell

I revisited Warren Craghead's captivating internet-formatted drawing project "a maps little spell" recently.
The internet based drawing project allows the viewer to navigate their way through the composition which perfectly occupies its "frame" within the website. Clicking on an earnest yet whimsically drawn suburban fragment , or the scanned texture of a collage element permits entrance to another virtual "space". Each drawing/environment is filled with poetic juxtapositions generated by the path the viewer takes. It is easy to find yourself developing your own understanding of the virtual environment. Slowly, the experience of investigation delightfully fuses with the imagery, producing the rewarding experience of an artwork that has created a great tension between structure, experience, and subject. The context of each "environment" is driven by the viewer's choices. For me this enhances metaphors concerning the viewer's contributions to the process of creating meaning within an artwork, which of course was initiated by the artist.
In other words, its a good way to spend a few minutes (or much longer).

Who Else Knew? (VMFA Fellowships)

Ugh, I was bummed to find out I had missed the deadline for the 2008/2009 Virgina Museum of Fine Arts Professional Fellowships. I've been applying for those for the past ten years (I did receive a graduate fellowship from them for 1999/2000) and the deadline was always March 1. I started getting my application materials ready so I went to the website yesterday and saw that the deadline had passed. I emailed the contact about it and she replied saying the deadline was back in November, and they had sent out press releases to organizations throughout the state. I don't remember seeing this on any listings, maybe I just spaced on it, but I'm interested to find out how many Virginia artists out there knew about the earlier deadline and who missed it. Anyone?

Relentless Continuity, Artwork of the Week, January 28

Relentless Continuity 2007
Graphite and Mr. Clean Magic Eraser on Drywall
17 inches x 276 inches at Artomatic 2007

Relentless Continuity was a site-specific wall drawing executed on site at Artomatic 2007 from April 7 through April 11, 2007, using graphite and Mr. Clean magic Eraser. The drawing existed for the duration of Artomatic 2007 and was destroyed during demolition and reconstruction of the temporary exhibition space immediately following the exhibition. Thus the artwork required the viewer to be there, now as it begans and ended. This drawing was designated as being one of the top two drawings at Artomatic 2007 by Washington Post Art and Film Critic Michael O'Sullivan.

I know that some of you may have seen this piece, but I wanted to put it out there for those who had not. More new work on the way, let me hear your thoughts about this one...

Breach, Artwork of the Week, January 22

Breach
oil and acrylic on birch panel
48"x37"

Breach is from the recent suite of large paintings. The physical surface of the painting is rippled, as the marks suggest, but do not always follow. Depth is developed and shifts through a juxtaposition of transparent color with contrasting opaque layers. It has a deep presence. Any comments?

Response to JT's Question

Saturation Point
oil and acrylic on birch panel
48"x37"

JT Kirkland asked "In Surface Disturbance you seem to be bringing more of a feel of an environment. I sense something atmospheric but also grounded. Can you talk a bit about this... is this something you're going for?"
I'm hoping that the bulk of the new paintings exude both qualities at once, and explore the overlap of the two. The "depth of field" has transitioned in these paintings from the last year. Transparency, depth and opacity play through the numerous layers (25-30 or more some almost completely transparent). Some of this comes through in the digital images, but the perception of subtle variation is hindered compared to seeing the actual object.

I'm Back, Artwork of the Week January 14

Surface Disturbance
Oil and Acrylic on Birch Panel
20"x17"

I guess I got a little behind with the blogging. Life happens, but I'm back with some of the newest finished work from my studio, Surface Disturbance. Let me know what you think. I've been putting together a few new proposals in my absence, and this was one of the pieces I that was still tacky at my open studio last month. I'm also including a cropped version of the last painting I posted: From Below.

From Below
oil and acrylic on birch panel
20"x17"