As mentioned in the last post, a fellow resident, Baltimore-based Kim Manfredi, gave me an idea for a painting that piqued my interest. She responded to the works where the applied paint looked like bands of tape with an idea along the lines of “what if the wood was the ‘tape’ and the paint was the ‘wood’?” I’m not sure if these six paintings are what she had in mind, but it’s what I did with her prompting. Here they are:
Not Yet Titled #1
Acrylic paint, polyacrylic on walnut plywood
12″ x 12″ x 1″
2010
Not Yet Titled #1
Acrylic paint, polyacrylic on walnut plywood
12″ x 12″ x 1″
2010
Not Yet Titled #2
Acrylic paint, polyacrylic on walnut plywood
12″ x 12″ x 1″
2010
Not Yet Titled #2
Acrylic paint, polyacrylic on walnut plywood
12″ x 12″ x 1″
2010
Not Yet Titled #3
Acrylic paint, polyacrylic on walnut plywood
12″ x 12″ x 1″
2010
Not Yet Titled #3
Acrylic paint, polyacrylic on walnut plywood
12″ x 12″ x 1″
2010
Not Yet Titled #4
Acrylic paint, polyacrylic on walnut plywood
12″ x 12″ x 1″
2010
Not Yet Titled #4
Acrylic paint, polyacrylic on walnut plywood
12″ x 12″ x 1″
2010
Not Yet Titled #5
Acrylic paint, polyacrylic on walnut plywood
12″ x 12″ x 1″
2010
Not Yet Titled #5
Acrylic paint, polyacrylic on walnut plywood
12″ x 12″ x 1″
2010
Not Yet Titled #6
Acrylic paint, polyacrylic on walnut plywood
12″ x 12″ x 1″
2010
Not Yet Titled #6
Acrylic paint, polyacrylic on walnut plywood
12″ x 12″ x 1″
2010
Interacting with the other residents and visiting artists at VSC is one of the primary reasons I wanted to do the residency. We exchanged lots of ideas over the four-week duration and some were good, others were bad. Recognizing and pursuing a good idea is a quick path to making better work. As soon as Kim passed along this idea, I knew it had merit and I had to pursue it. Although it required very quick work, late nights and early mornings, I was able to finish these pieces in time for the open studios. I am extremely excited about this work and of all the paintings I made in Vermont, I feel this direction has the most potential for future development. In fact, new versions of this work will be what I pursue first now that I’m home. We’ll see where it leads.
This post is the last of work made while in Vermont. In total, there were 43 new pieces made in approximately 24 working days. In my next posts I will discuss more about the actual experience of being at the Vermont Studio Center. I hope it’s obvious, but it was a fantastic experience.
Thanks for looking!
Any idea why #2 is so much stronger than the rest?
I’m not sure, Ivan. My personal favorite is #1. There’s something about the blue that captivates me. To be honest, though, I’m really happy with all of these.
These are dizzying, eye-popping paintings. Wow.
The blue is the best here, probably because the value of the blue and the wood are closer in that one. Why that should work I don’t know. Also it’s cool versus warm. The other colors are warmer and maybe the cooler blue works. Hard to say, though.
Thanks Chris! I will definitely pursue more of these in the near future. I have some ideas as to how to take them a bit farther.
I really like the blue as well — what a productive month for you!
I’m a little confused about your color selection. What about wood as a more organic/natural surface? Most of the surfaces look so controlled- almost too perfect.
Matt – Thanks!
Janice – Thanks for leaving a comment. Could you elaborate a bit about why you’re confused? I doubt you’ve studied my work in depth
but if you check out my web site (jtkirkland.com) you’ll see a greater focus on wood as wood. These painted pieces are brand new for me and represent a bit of a departure from focusing solely on wood. As for the work being “almost too perfect,” that sounds exactly right to me. As you’ll see on my web site, I am very controlled and precise in my work. I know I can’t be absolutely perfect, but if I am “almost too perfect” then I feel like I am having some success in my work.
Thanks again!
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