Summer session John Murray classes week of August 25, 2014

The last week of my Summer session!

 
Try to do a piece that captures the memory of Summer.
This is a difficult thing to do.
The power of the past tends to overwhelm the Now of painting.
I saw some excellent work from artists who attended the class this Summer.
The Autumn term starts september 15.
I hope you keep working and sign up for one of my classes next term.
see you next week. John

Summer session John Murray classes week of August 18, 2014

Abstract vs Narrative in black and white.

This time of year, (my favorite) I try to relax and paint/draw in a manner that indulges my senses. I suppose I also work against this inclination at the same time.
This synthesis of sensual and rigorous sometimes leads me to a paradoxical solution for personal art-making; i.e. A black and white piece stripped of all content or a b&w piece loaded with sentimental content.
This approach of  following contradictory impulses has worked for me at times.
There truly are no rules in art making.
Don't listen to the voices of conservatism and repression.
See you next week, john.

John Murray Summer session classes week of August 11, 2014

Between the Devil and the deep blue sea!

All painting is tension between representation and plasticity (materials).
Modernist and certainly Postmoderist painting works the Hell out of this concept
to my great pleasure and enlightenment.
Next week try (once again...my favorite assignment) to exploit this idea in your own work.
Also I have a small show of my work down the street at Brookline Bank on Walnut Street,
if you have a chance check it out and tell me what you think.
See you next week, john

Summer Session John Murray Classes week of August 4,2014

August heat and light.

What can you make of it?
When the dog days start can you use the intensity to push your painting?
Late afternoon in the New Art Center can be very hot, but as the sun begins to set and dusk
melts into night the mystery of the summer has its effect.
I love the summer session in the big studio and find it a great creative opportunity.
Next week try and show the face of deep summer.
Before we know what has happened we'll be freezing again.
Enjoy!
See you next week, John.

Summer session John Murray classes week of July 28, 2014

                                                                                 Herring Cove Beach-John Murray

I enjoyed working with the model last week, I hope you did.
This week think about figure/ground issues and deal with placing a figure in a sketchy background.
A background that implies a number of possibilities.
The painting that engages me most is painting that opens possibilities about form/content and plasticity.
Or try a painting with no spacial illusion and do a flat frontal painting that acknowledges the literal flatness of the canvas.
The critic Clement Greenberg espoused this view and that concept contributed to Jackson Pollack's painting and fame.

Barcelona (for Aaron Siskind)-John Murray

See you next week, John. 

summer session John Murray classes week of July 21, 2014

Next week we will have a model in both classes (Monday and Wednesday).

Please bring paper and canvas enough to explore the poses and deconstruct/stylize from them.
The model will be a male nude, Kim, with whom I've worked before.
The painting below is the result:

see you next week, John.

Summer session John Murray classes week of July 14, 2014

Where does our painting come from?

                                "Day at the Beach" oil on canvas- john murray


Art is a complex business once you leave the still life setup.
Is it an emotional response to joy or tragedy?
Is it a response to phenomena: a brilliant sunset?
The deep blue mystery of night broken by shafts and bursts of yellow light?
Is it a poem or a broken bone bleached by the sun lying in desert light?

It is an ephemeral notion made solid by the artist. 
Whether ironic, sardonic or a sincere response to the hopelessness/joy of life.
Whatever you find or feel, the plasticity of your material in process and gesture
is the delivery system.
As Philip Guston said about painting:
 "when things go well I leave the room".

See you next week, john