art Bryce Brown .autumn 2015 .

Over the last year or so I've produced these nine small, light filled paintings. They're not taken fromanywhere in particular, more 'mind-maps'. This reflects in the titles. I have posted these new works tothe website www.brycebrownart.com so you can look at them any time you like. Feel free to downloadthem, print them, share them, use themas screen savers. If you're tempted, youmayeven like to graceyour walls with one.I amentering two of these small works into theRotoruaMuseumArt Award, June 2015.Surrender andPillbox repairman in the sounds.

I will keep you posted as to whether my entries are accepted, and win any awards. The last nationalaward I entered was the 2012 Molly Morpeth Canaday Award. My painting 'Six Fellows in aField' (below) won a merit award, and sold to a buyer in Whakatane.

Six Fellows in a field 2012 51 x 102 cmMerit award Molly Morpeth Canadaysold $4500 1

Pillbox repairman in the sounds (triptych) 38 cm x 87 cm framed

Surrender 38 x 31 cmframed

artBryce Brown . autumn 2015 .

The calling 28 x 72 cm (plus frame) acrylic on canvas board.

About the paintings. Technique.These small works required a new discipline. I wanted to keep the feeling of the large paintings I've alwaysmade, so I had to scale everything down, use less paint, capture more light. I also wanted to be able to packthem up, and easily take them wherever I went. Using multiple panels is nothing new, perhaps I share thecommon reason of transportability with artists in history. Multiple panels are also good to separate the variouselements in the work, whilst keeping them as one composition.Traditionally, I've always used stretched canvas. These are pre-made canvas panels. With each one I'vebegunwith 6-10 layers of gesso (primer), sanding back betweeneach coat to create a beautiful surface to painton. Being a solid surface, it's much easier to prep this way.

Unearthed 23 x 91.5 cm (plus frame) acrylic on canvas board.All of the paint is transparent, allowingme to build up layers from light to dark, quite a traditional way of painting.This allows the white ground to reflect asmuch light as possible through the transparent colours. A bit like howthe light shines through a stained glass window. This makes these small works incredibly vibrant.

Coastal couple 23 x 91.5 cm (plus frame) acrylic on canvas board.2

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artBryce Brown . autumn 2015 . Stories behind the images

Inlets and Outlets 35 x 28 cm (plus frame) acrylic on canvas board.

Unearthed (page 1) is a slightly melancholic painting, though I've kept a positive palette and added elementsfor balance, such as the trees, very 'informal' and as a couple of people have said, "... a bit Dr. Seuss".This piece is divided by three panels, the trees, the sea and the figure. In the distance of the middle panel isan island, symbolic for a place to go or escape. This creates distance, somewhere for the viewer's eye to goalso.Moving through the panel on the right are the rocks, then the man who has uncovered them. The rocks looka little out of place and could represent a number of things. The man looks a little broken, maybe physicallyfromhardwork,maybeemotionally fromdigging things up. The cut into the bank on the left of themiddle panelcould represent a headstone. Could he be laying things to rest?

The Calling (page1) is inspired by the sculpture on top of Turuturu rock at the entrance toWhakatane Heads;The Lady on the rock (Google for more info). I've named it The Calling because as with Inlets and Outlets,the ocean calls, beckoning all those who are stressed out to come... relax!

Inlets and outlets (left) is fairly selfdescriptive in it's title. Somethingwe all need and are subject towhether conscious of this or not.Obviously the tile reflects thecondition of the subject, also theview.Every day we absorb and process,and are affected by a constantbombardment of media pressure,advertising, conversations withothers via social media or morerarely person to person, adnauseum.Someof these 'inlets' arethrough choice, albeit habit, someare subliminal, absorbed byosmosis.There's no avoiding normal lifepressures. Though the necessity tobalance these 'inlets' with 'outlets'is vital.For me this is often achievedthrough enjoying a good view,alone or in the company of others.And of course, expresion andcreativity through art.

food, and watch the shadows grow long...

Finally,Surrender (page 1).Once again, self descriptive in it's title. The narrative is clearly about surrenderingto the past (the broken vessel) and looking toward the future (the island).

Thanks for taking the time to read this. To be honest, sometimes it's not until I sit downand name the paintingsand write about them, that I begin to understand what they might mean.

Prices of these nine small works range from NZ $1200 - $2900

Best wishesBryce Brownwww.brycebrownart.cominfo@brycebrownart.comPh [+64] [0]274 451192

P.S If you're in Rotorua I now have work at Elim Gallery www.elimgallery.com. Be sure to pop in!

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artBryce Brown . autumn 2015 .

Great Heights 23 x 61 cm (plus frame) acrylic on canvas board.

View from a rock 28 x 35 cm (plus frame) acrylic on canvas board.

Great Heights (above) is about victory, achievement and also thespiritual element of worship from a high place. The tree can berepresentative of a point of departure as referenced in maoriculture. So, in essence it is a celebration of life! A piece I haveenjoyed a lot.InView fromaRock (left) I've revisitedanolderwork from2007Boyby the sea (from a photo of my son). This is a more 'grownup'version, ten years on.The titlepieceusedonpage1,AutumnalValley is just that.Autumnis my favourite time of year. A time to slow down and eat comfort

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