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.

Supercharged painting Summer session week of August 1

Ai Weiwei at Asia Society.
I love a creative and fresh way to make an image and this Chinese artist, just released from jail in Beijing for his political blogs and tweets has a fresh perspective on Western culture.
There a review of him and his work by Roberta Smith in the Weekend Arts section of the New York Times today(Friday, July 29). When I see a piece like his "Profile of Marcel Duchamp" which consists of a bent coathanger and sunflower seeds I am delighted and inspired to clear my mind, strip down and seek a fresh new vision with every painting or drawing I attempt. See you next week, don't forget to signup for the next session which starts on Wednesday. john.

supercharged Painting Summer session week of july 25

Lucian Freud is dead at 88.
Raw and real Freud's work repositioned figuration. On this last week of this session, try a portrait or self-portrait in an honest warts and all style...also consider taking the next session that starts the first week of August 8 and goes until the 29th of August. Keep your work moving and vital this Summer! See you next week. john.

Supercharged painting summer session July 18 and 20

The sweet joys of Summer!

These two Matisse paintings are a perfect inspiration for the best time of year. The

paler one on the left was painted in 1909 and was considered by the artist to be one of his most exceptional works; a luminous and pure work of high-art and is hanging in New York at MOMA. The second was painted in 1910 for a Russian collector and is viseral with bolder color and a brilliant and earthy energy; it is hanging in the Hermitage in Russia. Which do you prefer? My favorite Matisse is a dead-heat between his "Violinist at a Window" and his spare and minimal "View of Notre Dame",both from 1913, i believe. But these two are such great high-summer ideas! Try a painting that connects with the spirit of July, the sky, a high grassy hill and the eternal now. See you next week. john.

John Murray Summer classes July 6, 11 and 13

Just got back from Provincetown.

Saw an excellent show at the Fine Art Work Center Gallery, which included Ken Morgan, (above left) and Robert Beauchamp (right) among others, also heard Marie Howe read her superb Narrative/Language poetry one night at the Work Center. Biked and swam in the Sun and ate some good food under the Moon. Mary, Sandy and i had a good short vacation. Thank you for joining my Summer Supercharged Painting session, Let's start by attempting a "Joy of The Sun and Dark of the Moon" painting, any size and any media to get the classes flowing. See next week, john.