This past December Lauren and I were able to visit the "Michelangelo: Divine Draftsman and Designer" exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum in New York. The experience was more incredible than I could ever have imagined. Michelangelo has always been the biggest influence on my own art, and being able to see so many of his drawings (and several sculptures) in person was unbelievable. I was glad to be able to do some studying of his work in a sketchbook, as well as some of my favorite pieces in other parts of the museum such as the Greek and Roman Art rooms. Below is a video of the sketches as well as some select photos.
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I've always loved the work of Pontormo (Jacopo Carucci), 1494-1557 . His paintings are masterpieces of the Mannerist style, and his drawings are so expressive and loose. Pontormo (Jacopo Carucci), 1494-1557, Study of Three Nudes, Uffizi Gallery, Florence Pontormo (Jacopo Carucci), 1494-1557, Study for the Deposition of the Capponi Chapel, Uffizi Gallery, Florence Here we can see the figure from the drawing above, translated to paint (top right) in Pontormo's masterpiece, the Deposition from the Cross. Pontormo (Jacopo Carucci), 1494-1557, Deposition from the Cross, 1525-1528, Capponi Chapel, Florence
The art of Zen calligraphy or "Hitsuzendo" has had a large impact on my work. This style of painting originated in Japan and seeks freedom and vitality, acceptance of the accidental, and a gestural physicality on the part of the artist. (See previous blog post about Hitsuzendo and the work of Franz Kline here). This style has particularly influenced my mark making, or how I choose to apply paint to canvas. The concept of Kasuri or "flying white" can be seen in the example above of Zen calligraphy by the priest Kasumi Bunsho (1905-1998). This term describes the presence of white streaks in the ink, evidence of the brush's bristles as they glide across the surface. This effect has always been extremely fascinating to me, as the precise moment, the fleeting instant that the artists pull the wet brush across the surface is forever immortalized. This brief happening is something I too strive to capture with black latex or acrylic paint. Below are some examples of my attempts of Kasuri or "flying white" in recent works. This piece is largely inspired by the bronze Perseus of Benvenuto Cellini. Like much of my work, instead of a literal translation of the myth, the piece is intended to act as a fragment of another, more ancient, more complicated piece - yet imbued with a contemporary expression and gesture. Death of the Gorgon, latex paint on canvas, 48 x 30", 2017 Benvenuto Cellini's "Perseus with the head of Medusa", 1554
Referencing the might and effort put forth by peoples past, this piece takes its title from the tradition of stone carrying. When clearing a field for the development of crops, the larger stones were carried away and dropped onto piles or cairns. Dating back to the Bronze Age, they illustrate for me the great determination that we have exhibited throughout time to achieve our goals. Stone bearer, acrylic and latex paint on canvas, 36 x 48", 2017 Example of a clearance cairn in Scotland (photo source)
Cy Twombly's Fifty Days at Iliam: Shades of Achilles, Patroclus, and Hector, Oil, oil crayon, & graphite on canvas, 1978, Philadelphia Museum of Art Cy Twombly's Fifty Days at Iliam: Heroes of the Achaeans, Oil, oil crayon, & graphite on canvas, 1978, Philadelphia Museum of Art Cy Twombly's Fifty Days at Iliam: Shield of Achilles, Oil, oil crayon, & graphite on canvas, 1978, Philadelphia Museum of Art Cy Twombly's Fifty Days at Iliam: The Fire that Consumes All before It, Oil, oil crayon, & graphite on canvas, 1978, Philadelphia Museum of Art
Today is Good Friday and the beginning of Easter weekend, so I would love to share one of my favorite artists - El Greco. His expressionism was truly ahead of its time. El Greco's El Espolio, 1579 El Greco's Christ on a cross, 1610
Sandro Botticelli is believed to have been born this day in Florence, Italy in 1445. Lauren and I hope to be able to visit the current exhibit "Botticelli and the Search for the Divine" at the Muscarelle Museum of Art, which also contains works of Fra Filippo Lippi and Filippino Lippi as well. Dante Alighieri, c. 1495
Looking for a quick read? Check out this brief interview with Domino Magazine's "At Home With Minted Artist" series!
Gustave Doré: Dante and Virgil among the gluttons, engraving, 1890 Gustave Doré: Punishment of the Avaricious and the Prodigal, woodcut, 1890 Gustave Doré: Centaurs patrolling the violent against others, engraving, 1890
Today is the 516th birthday of the Italian artist Benvenuto Cellini, born November 3, 1500 in Florence. Benvenuto Cellini's Perseus with the head of Medusa in Rome
Michelangelo: The Last Judgment (details), Sistine Chapel, 1536-1541
Top left clockwise: St. John the Baptist, a soul ascending to Heaven, Minos a judge among the souls of the underworld, and Charon the ferryman of souls across the river Styx. My good friend, Paul Mouser is a real-life Hercules. Being a personal trainer, himself a strongman competitor as well as the Strongman Corp West Virginia State Chairman, and retired pro wrestler are more than enough to qualify him for this status. Recently, when working on my painting "Hercules breaking the bonds of Prometheus", I consulted Paul on the mechanics of how one would go about breaking a chain. Paul's no stranger to these types of feats, as you can see in the video below. Paul performing one of his many strongman feats - bending a 60 D galvanized steel timber tie. To the left, you can see examples of the timber ties before and after the bend in relation to his big size 12 shoe. He informed me that the object would need to be kept close to the body. A small, but powerful range of movements would be used, instead of grand, exaggerated ones. You can see in this previous post, how I started with one pose and ended with a slightly different version. So there you have it. A real-life Hercules helped in the process of this piece! Enjoy! Hercules breaking the bonds of Prometheus, latex and acrylic paint on canvas, 36 x 48", 2016
My recent painting "Expulsion", features the biblical theme of Adam and Eve being cast from the Garden of Eden or Paradise. Expulsion, latex paint on canvas, 48" x 30", 2016 The theme is a very common one in art history, and below are some of my favorite examples. Michelangelo's iconic version on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel has influenced me the most. Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel fresco
As I pack up this recent painting for a new customer, I reflect on its loose (as Demosthenes was known primarily as an orator and statesman) inspiration - the 1859 painting by Delacroix "Demosthenes declaiming the seashore". Delacroix's theme for this work comes from the legend of Demosthenes orating over the waves of the sea to increase the power of his voice. Philosopher by the sea, latex & acrylic paint on canvas, 30 x 48", 2015, private collection, Las Vegas, NV Eugene Delacroix Demosthenes declaiming the seashore, 1859, oil on paper mounted on wood, The National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin
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