November 15, 2022
'Into The Light' Shines At Columbia Art League
The second of two ‘Give The Gift Of Art’ exhibits at which I have works available has opened at the Columbia Art League. I’ve produced ‘Into The Light’ on a large (18”x12”) metal plate in a heavy, exhibition quality black metal float frame. It’s really something to see IMHO.
Two points about the work worth mentioning. This capture was taken at a large aquarium at the bottom of a two-or-three-story transparent tank. It’s a view likely captured a hundred times a day. But for it to transition from a basic tourist’s photograph towards something approaching art a change in composition was required – I flipped it. Rotating the light source from the top to the bottom increases the depth of the composition and leads to the impression that the viewer themselves is in the water, and not simply outside looking up. The second point is recognizing just how far to take a capture. I felt the true subject of the work was not the fish, but the swirling vision created by the school. That required just enough manipulation to transition each fish into a single brush stroke, but not so much as to replace the structure with an abstract spatter. Every artist will have their own vision of just how much is enough, of course, but I’m quite happy with how this one turned out. I also think ‘Into The Light’ illustrates a point I’ve made before about photo art – that for it to work both the photography and the art have to be nailed. The artist must synchronize both mediums in harmony.
The exhibit runs through January 5, with a reception the evening of November 18.
- CH
Two points about the work worth mentioning. This capture was taken at a large aquarium at the bottom of a two-or-three-story transparent tank. It’s a view likely captured a hundred times a day. But for it to transition from a basic tourist’s photograph towards something approaching art a change in composition was required – I flipped it. Rotating the light source from the top to the bottom increases the depth of the composition and leads to the impression that the viewer themselves is in the water, and not simply outside looking up. The second point is recognizing just how far to take a capture. I felt the true subject of the work was not the fish, but the swirling vision created by the school. That required just enough manipulation to transition each fish into a single brush stroke, but not so much as to replace the structure with an abstract spatter. Every artist will have their own vision of just how much is enough, of course, but I’m quite happy with how this one turned out. I also think ‘Into The Light’ illustrates a point I’ve made before about photo art – that for it to work both the photography and the art have to be nailed. The artist must synchronize both mediums in harmony.
The exhibit runs through January 5, with a reception the evening of November 18.
- CH
November 13, 2022
Give The Gift Of Art Opens At Capital Arts
Every Holiday season Capital Arts opens its annual Give The Gift Of Art exhibit, and this year is no different. My contributions this year, however, are a little different.
For the first time I’ve been asked to provide a couple specific, new works, these coming from my recent Chalk Art series. Capital Arts sponsored August’s chalk art festival, along with our local Parks & Recreation folks, and the series was very well received. As it happens, a ‘pop-up’ fundraiser is planned for the Jefferson City Country Club for November 30, and I was asked to produce a couple larger works from the Chalk Art series for this show, as well as smaller prints of the same works for the Gift Of Art exhibit. Thus, we come to the two works at the top of the above promo. ‘Sunday In The Park’ and ‘Dreaming In Color’ will both be available as elaborately framed large metal prints (12”x18” and 14”x11” respectively). But they can also be had as 8”x10” ink jet prints in inexpensive frames.
There are competing philosophies here: Is it better to provide a single large expensive work or a number of smaller and cheaper works. The first may be priced above the ability of most people to pay. The second may sell in quantity but relegated to poorer displays that don’t do the work justice. I’ll say this: my policy is any work produced on metal that is at least 11”x14” or larger I will never reproduce again, at least not in that size, and then only for a considerable sum. The buyer also acquires exclusivity of the work. Ink jet prints, especially small ones, I’ll reprint ad nauseum.
The other works on display for Give The Gift Of Art are familiar. ‘On Stage’ comes from the Fox Theater in St. Louis, backstage looking into the auditorium. When I created it I thought it was too abstract, but the work has grown on me over time and was well received when it exhibited this summer. ‘In The Blind Spot’ is part of my emphasis on automotive art. I continue to believe in this genre and intend to push it. And finally, ‘Summer Fling’ was part of the recent Up Close exhibit and was going to cycle out until someone convinced me to keep it up.
The exhibit is open now and runs until Christmas Eve, and my works are just a small part of the terrific works on display. Come take a look!
- CH
For the first time I’ve been asked to provide a couple specific, new works, these coming from my recent Chalk Art series. Capital Arts sponsored August’s chalk art festival, along with our local Parks & Recreation folks, and the series was very well received. As it happens, a ‘pop-up’ fundraiser is planned for the Jefferson City Country Club for November 30, and I was asked to produce a couple larger works from the Chalk Art series for this show, as well as smaller prints of the same works for the Gift Of Art exhibit. Thus, we come to the two works at the top of the above promo. ‘Sunday In The Park’ and ‘Dreaming In Color’ will both be available as elaborately framed large metal prints (12”x18” and 14”x11” respectively). But they can also be had as 8”x10” ink jet prints in inexpensive frames.
There are competing philosophies here: Is it better to provide a single large expensive work or a number of smaller and cheaper works. The first may be priced above the ability of most people to pay. The second may sell in quantity but relegated to poorer displays that don’t do the work justice. I’ll say this: my policy is any work produced on metal that is at least 11”x14” or larger I will never reproduce again, at least not in that size, and then only for a considerable sum. The buyer also acquires exclusivity of the work. Ink jet prints, especially small ones, I’ll reprint ad nauseum.
The other works on display for Give The Gift Of Art are familiar. ‘On Stage’ comes from the Fox Theater in St. Louis, backstage looking into the auditorium. When I created it I thought it was too abstract, but the work has grown on me over time and was well received when it exhibited this summer. ‘In The Blind Spot’ is part of my emphasis on automotive art. I continue to believe in this genre and intend to push it. And finally, ‘Summer Fling’ was part of the recent Up Close exhibit and was going to cycle out until someone convinced me to keep it up.
The exhibit is open now and runs until Christmas Eve, and my works are just a small part of the terrific works on display. Come take a look!
- CH