John Murray Art Talks April 24, May 1, May 8 and Whitney Biennial trip May 10

I hope you can join me at NewArt Center for some or all of these!
Are you an art adventurer? Join us for this exciting program that will provide you with knowledge and insight about contemporary art.
 John Murray will lead a three class, introductory series on contemporary art culminating in a group visit to the Whitney Biennial in New York City. Click on individual titles to register for one session or click the link at the bottom to register for the entire series.
  
Art in America in the 70s
Thursday, April 24, 2014 • 7:00-9:00pm at the New Art Center • $35 • AW147324

History of the Whitney Biennial
Thursday, May 1, 2014 • 7:00-9:00pm at the New Art Center • $35 • AW147325

2014 Whitney Biennial
Thursday, May 8, 2014 • 7:00-9:00pm at the New Art Center • $35 • AW147326

Trip to Whitney Biennial - more details to come
Saturday, May 10, 2014 • AW147327

Thank you see you there, John

John Murray Classes Week of April 14, 2014

What is the "box of language" in painting.
What does that mean to an artist?
Without illusion and content, is there a concept?
Is this concept meaningful to the picturesque mindset that inhabits the average viewer?
Is there a key to unlocking meaning in the non-objective?
Do seemingly random marks contain a message?
Does a change in method and/or material/media across the surface show intention?
Is the process of painting a meaningful distillation of the flow of thought in the artist?
If you want to think about some of these questions, let's talk next week.
See you then John.

John Murray Classes April 7, 2014

After last week's content-less, material-oriented paintings, let's try deeply involving yourself in an image.
Above is a painting I did after a cold-water, long distance swim in Rockport... out and around the harbor breakwater. The water temp.was in the mid-50's. It was an intense physical experience.
The painting,"The Rockport Swim", is 10x12 feet in size.
Try something intense and deeply held in your mind and body as a starting point for your imagery.
But don't forget that ultimately painting is about paint!
see you next week, John.

John Murray classes week of March 31, 2014

Welcome to my Spring 2014 classes.
For the first week please bring enough material (paint, canvas, charcoal etc.) to try a piece.
Above  I've posted a scanned slide of some resin, wood and canvas pieces that I made in my
Venice CA studio in 1972.
The idea I had at the time was no content...pure material.
I'd like you to try the same concept.
No image...just material.
See you next week.
John.

March 24, 2014 John Murray Supercharged Painting classes makeup week

Makeup week for snow canceled Wednesday classes:

Monday am and pm.
Wednesday am and pm.
We missed 2 Wednesdays due to snow cancellation, all Supercharged painters please come
to make up 2  missed classes.
Please bring any work done this term you would like me to critque.
See you next week, John.

John Murray classes week of March 17, 2014

Monday classes will have a model next week.
Wednesday classes have already had one this term.
So please continue with your self portraits or other work you are
investigating. It is,after all, the Ides of March!!!
See you next week, John.

John Murray classes week of March 10, 2014

No model next Monday the 10th, the office tells me that  the 3 performance artists

who came last month were paid with the class model fee in your tuition.

I did not realize that before I  was told on the 6th.

Next week try a self portrait.

Above is one of mine from a few years ago.

Identity is a limiting illusion for the artist.

Try something not you.

See you next week, John.