Deliberations with Flurries of Activity and Synergy in Bloom

#63 – Tuesday May 29th

In early January I documented the start of a new canvas with a little twenty-three second video. Now nearly seven months later, having invested uncounted hours of deliberations and flurries of activity, the painting is complete. The shortest time for my finishing something? The “One a Day” projects. Purposely hammered out, loose ends abounding, and that’s the point. The longest time? Six years. The only explanation I can offer for this protracted effort, is my simple unwillingness to let go. But most typically the paintings take months to bring to fruition. I’ve always multiple canvasses in play, a continual process of reflecting on marks made, contemplating what might be added and/or removed, then applying those considerations as necessity and whimsy dictate. A joyous conundrum all the sweeter for orchestrating a satisfying conclusion.

A synergistic week in the garden. Cactus flowers abound. I photographed this White Torch Cactus flower, just as the morning sun was illuminating its petals, then combined with a group of my usual suspects, in bloom.

Thanks for reading.

Charles

East End Desert View And The Lure of Potent Abstraction

#62 – Tuesday May 22nd

After years of hiking about the Grand Canyon, I finally trundled out to the east end to explore one of architect Mary Colter’s iconic Grand Canyon buildings, the Indian Tower at Desert View. The Tower’s interior walls are covered with murals painted by Hopi artist Fred Kabotie depicting aspects of Hopi mythology and religious ceremonies, intertwined with replicas of prehistoric pictographs and petroglyphs created by Fred Greer. Being drawn up the Tower’s circular staircase by these magical images was a delightfully engaging experience and one the highlights of another fantastic adventure in the Grand Canyon. The beauty of the Indian Watchtower has been captured by many superb photographers, this interactive panorama is one of my favorites . . . Don Bain’s 360 Panoramas of North America, Desert View.

Thomas Nozkowski
Untitled (7-138) (SH-IV) – The Badlands
Oil on linen on panel
2000 — 30 x 40 in.

If I had to come up with a short list of painters I admire, Thomas Nozkowski would certainly be at the top. I first remember seeing his work some 20 plus years ago, while perusing the isles of Art Chicago, the massive art expo, then held on Chicago’s Navy Pier. His small potent abstract canvasses, a refreshing alternative vision to the over sized and over stuffed paintings that seemed to rule the day. Coinciding with an exhibition of his drawings, John Yau has written an excellent essay on Mr. Nozkowski for the blog Hyperallergic. The exhibition of Thomas Nozowski’s drawings is on view at Senior &  Shopmaker Gallery, in Manhattan, through June 16th.

Thanks for reading.

Charles

Seven Hues for Subtle and Arcane Endeavors

#61 – Tuesday May 15th

The devil is in the details. The origins of this idiom have been attributed to several folks, most notably the writer Gustave Flaubert, art critic  Aby Warburg, and the architect Mies van der Rohe, and this week, it’s been the mantra for my efforts in the studio.

I’ve lost count how many times I’ve repainted these three figures, the red, blue and brown, (although those simple monikers don’t do the hues justice).  Van Dyke Brown, Colbalt Violet, Naphthol Red Light, Transparent Brown Iron Oxide, Quinacridone Burnt Orange, Anthraquinone Blue, Titanium White, and graphite combined, layered, and washed, one pigment on another, scraped, sanded then done again. It seems such a subtle and arcane endeavor but absolutely essential and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Our little heat seeking four-legged missile, known as Molly Teardrop, is 16 months old today. Molly has an innate need to be up high, and here she is, gingerly picking her way along a downed tree, for an audience of five (including Alta Bear who is not as impressed nor entertained, as we were).

Thanks for reading.

Charles