supercharged painting summer August 22, 24 and 29

The last 3 days of the summer session are upon us! Labor Day looms and my thoughts go to what makes a painting work for us. The Joan Brown image above is modest and kind of silly, but powerful and painterly at the same time. Why do i find it successful i wonder? And can only think that its humor and sexual suggestiveness are the main features i respond to, but more than that its eccentricity and choice of subject matter, modest size and richness of creamy whites, blues and pinks all attract my eye and mind. The picture is part of a show in NY at George Adams Gallery called "Circle of Friends" and shows work of the S.F. Bay Area figurative painters of the 1960's and 70's. Some of my favorite modernist figurative painters were in that circle. See you next week (22nd and 24th) and the following Mon (29th). john.

Supercharged Painting Summer session week of August 15, 2011

"Art history is a paralyzing daydream from which today's artists cannot wakeup."

-Ken Johnson

What do you make of this statement by NYTimes art reviewer, Ken Johnson? Do you agree? Do you feel the 2 pieces above either illustrate that concept or disprove it. Lets have a discussion in class next week. Whose work have i used above? See you next week...john.

Supercharged painting Summer session week of August 8

A poetic sense of place.

John Marin's "Grey Sea" is a good example of that concept.

Try making a painting that conjures a place that you feel connected to. From your past or present, abstract or figurative.

Marin was a mid-20th century painter who often worked in New England.

There is currently a show at the Portland Museum of Art called "John Marin: Modernism at Mid-century" that runs until October 10.

See you next week..john.