Some thoughts
For me painting is mostly about creating something tangible
from a vague idea. The oils, watercolors, pastels, clays
and the colors they represent always seem to dictate the
final piece. I continue to be amazed at what is produced
from simple tools and colorful mediums.
I grew up in rural Utah and spent most of my childhood
immersed in the colorful rural environment of the high
sandstone desert near Moab and the pine/aspen forests of
the Manti LaSalle Mountains. Although, over the last 25
years I have lived in 8 different states - one coast to the
other which resulted in an appreciation for the
environmental and cultural components that make these
places a special place – the trees, flowers, mountains,
lakes, fences, yards, and the special way each regions
inhabitants impact and interact with their natural and man-
made habitats. I am also very fascinated with the form
of the human figure and the hidden thoughts of the figures
I paint.
I have an advanced degree in Design and Landscape
Architecture, which helped me, developed a keen interest
in Photography, Art and Woodworking. However, what was
lacking for me in that profession was the freedom to start
with a blob of paint and push it around until something
appears using mostly imagination – In my studio, I never
hear the words;” that won’t work”.
I have had the opportunity to travel to many places
throughout the world, which provided me the opportunity to
study and collect artifacts and paintings representing local
styles and cultures – you really do have to see these things
first hand to really appreciate them. Southeast Asia,
Egypt and Africa have to be my favorites geographies for I
remember spending hours in China looking at the incredible
art of ink drawing, staring at the Pyramids and walking
through the Cairo Museum totally amazed at history and
staring endlessly at the South African landscape as my
friend Roman told stories of his experiences.
But most of all, I have been greatly influenced by those
Asian ink paintings and I do not pretend to understand the
discipline by which they are painted by the masters, but
they give me great pleasure in their simple rhythms.
Finally, works by such artists as Scott Mattlin, Andre
Kohn, Susan Rudd, Monet, and Picasso continue to influence
my thinking, style and content. In fact I owe a genuine
thanks to Mr. Mattlin and Mr. Kohn for upon my request
Mr. Mattlin and Mr. Kohn agreed to allow me to copy their
paintings as a basis for learning. Many of the paintings on
the "Painting of Studies" page of my web site are based
existing paintings or photographs and therefore are not for
sale. I strongly recommend that you visit Mr. Mattlin's
web site at www.scottmattlin.com and Mr. Kohn site at:
www.andrekohn.com.
I also owe a few friends a great deal - for they take the
time to look at my paintings and give me critical feedback
and encouragement - thank you very much.
Chuck