Series One.1.2.3

Series One.1 by *buchanc3 on deviantART

Series One.2 by *buchanc3 on deviantART

Series One.3 by *buchanc3 on deviantART

genre: abstract/abstract expressionism
size: 12" x 12"
medium: acrylic on canvas
date: February 5,6,9 2009

influences: Jackson Pollock and Piet Mondrian

technique: In most of my paintings I have found the most comfort in leaving the background canvas white. Here, this trend is born. In 1, I wrapped the canvas in drafting tape, painted certain sections with black and removed the tape. In 2 I had a more methodical way of applying the drafting tape, but the same concept. In 3, I took short pieces and scattered them to form the underlying pattern, different but still similar. I then used a thinned with water acrylic pigment to begin speckling the canvas with a toothbrush. I did a sort of drip method but with flinging the thin paint and hanging it so it would dry dripping in that direction.

theme and reasoning: I had been wanting to do an abstract series inspired by Pollock and Mondrian. I think the biggest influence of mine concerning abstract works is Jackson Pollock but Piet Mondrian did find his way strongly into 2 of this series. His theme of life being chaotic was echoed, maybe even stolen, but presented in a different fashion throughout them all.

concept: In Series One.2, the pattern of black is the essence of the 'perfect life'. It has a symmetrical layout that creates a sort of comfortability. To me this represents a sort of agenda suicide, going through the motions of your every day. The splattered and dripped paint is the chaos that we all need in order to survive. In these works I chose to lead the drips in any direction but straight down. A path that runs against reality, though abstract in concept, interprets as that uneasy feeling that one might encounter when approached with a spontaneous or chaotic situation. So when a viewer reads these paintings, I want them to feel at ease at first, when viewing the familiar pattern. But once the eye comes across a form going against gravity, they should feel awkward. These feelings are essential for interesting lives. It helps break the norm so you don't go insane doing the day to day.

Series One.1 was bought by my sister-in-law in Traverse City, Michigan.

Conversions

Conversions by *buchanc3 on deviantART

genre: surrealism
size: 10" x 10"
medium: oils on canvas
date: February 10, 2009

influence: Pablo Picasso's Guernica.

technique: I began this painting with nothing. No ideas as far as concept or composition, nor did I have any other plan. I began by painting a base using various cool colors, mainly blues. White was the basis of form creating a cold aura. Most of the colors were obtained from the background colors being picked up in white. Concept then leaped onto the canvas, everything erupted from there.

theme and reasoning: To me, the painting is about the dissatisfaction the man holds. He's unhappy with what the world is turning into, with industry and money being the main focus and completely taking over. Guernica was a constant thought during the process. Picasso's take on the world, the "what are we doing to ourselves", is a similar theme in this work. His sign of hope is translated into Conversions slightly in that of the red balloon.

concept: Money is the driving force of today's world. It commands and controls everything around us, positive and negative. Here, the man is on the brink of toleration. He sits on the edge contemplating what is going on around him, he turns his back on society, big business, the metropolitan city that we have created. The cityscape, positioned on the man's tongue, gradually recedes back into the mouth. As this happens, the city gets smaller, more simple and natural. This part of the city is closest to him, it's what he misses most but he knows we can not revert to our old ways of modesty. I chose the mouth to position this scene as it shows that 'bad taste in your mouth'feeling. We've corrupted the world and there isn't any going back. As he knows the fate of our greedy society, he realizes the damage that has been done, but the red balloon rises. Contrasting with the cold hues of blue, the only sign of hope commands the painting. The statement of such a small focal point was not accidental. The balloon is the minute optimism lingering within. He looks down as he struggles to put forth a vulnerable gullibility required to believe in today's society, yet the balloon rises. Picasso adds this element into Guernica, a flower growing up through the chaos of fear and war.

This painting was sold to a woman in Tennessee.