cjh abstract art newsletter, issue 2

8/9/2019 CJH Abstract Art Newsletter, Issue 2

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Issue 2September 15, 2009

Abstract Expressionism, The

Chick Factor: Lee Krasner

Lee Krasner (1908 1984), wife of Jackson Pollock, was relegated to thebackground while he was alive. She,however, was a formidable abstractartist in her own right. She studiedunder the tutelage of Hans Hoffman atthe National Academy of Design inNew York, NY.

One of my personal favorites is Noon ,1947. This piece is very action-oriented; you can almost feel theenergy of the people bustling aroundNew York City.

While highly self-critical (her finalcatalog includes only about 600 works;many works were discarded or re-done), she and Pollock enjoyed mutualsupport during their lives together.

Krasner will remain one of thepioneers of the abstract expressionist

movement.

Featured Artist: Cliff Warner, UK

Cliff Warner is one of those people Iwas fortunate enough to stumbleupon in Facebook.

Figure Study j6

I was viewing some great art in aFacebook art group and came acrossone of his many inspired creations.Wanting to see more, I sent him a

friend request. I have been enjoyinghis work ever since.

A little about Cliff: he completed afoundation course in art at NorthStaffs Polytechnic UK, which lead to aB.A. in Fine Art Painting at LiverpoolPolytechnic.

Cliffs inspiration for figurative artcame originally from drawing andpainting different life models. Hisreason for specializing in figurative art was simply discovering how vast asubject figuration is; both historically[e.g. classical subject matter] and inits interpretation. He find[s] the figureto be a very versatile vehicle inexpressingrepresentational/abstract/expressionistic/impressionistic ideas, etc., throughthe use of different media.

Contemplation

Some of his work tends to convey ameditative/ethereal and reflectiveambiance, which are inspired by apersonal spiritual guidance underlyingthe creative process. Other works areinspired by interests in the art of dance and jazz.
http://www.spanierman.com/Krasner,-Lee/Noon/0/1/http://www.spanierman.com/Krasner,-Lee/Noon/0/1/


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Cliffs paintings draw from manyinfluences, especially Renaissanceart work and more Modernist work byartists such as Balthus, Mattise,

Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiel. Thesedifferent influences are reflected in thevarious styles and ideas he uses.

Sabina

As for his technique, he sometimesstarts with painting a basiccomposition and then applyingstandard soft pastel which he grindsup and applies with tissue paper,which creates an ethereal effect.Sometimes he uses a very soft pencilto give a more detailed effect. Onmore standard acrylic paintings thatare almost completed, he usuallyapplies a small amount of charcoal orconte crayon which is then smudged.

I encourage you to experience some of Cliffs magic for yourself.

What Ive Been Up to Lately:

The Painting Experience Workshop

I had a great time at the PaintingExperience workshop. I had someapprehension prior to the workshopbecause I had allowed myself tobecome intimidated by some previouswork by students featured in thepreliminary materials. I quickly foundmyself letting go once I arrived. Itwas amazing how the transformationoccurred.

We were given access to heavy stockpaper, tempera paints, and fourbrushes (from a fine, detailed brush toa flat brush of a slightly larger size).We were allowed to stick to one sheetor use as many as we preferred. Iended up doing 7 paintings over the2.5 day workshop, one double and therest single sheets. I did glance aroundthe room fairly early on to see whatothers were doing. I both saw workthat was better or equal to what Iwas working on. The equal to gaveme some relief. Seeing others so

freely creating without barriers gaveme the freedom to take a deep breathand just relax. The best feeling I hadwas indifference. This may soundnegative but is actually the contrary.So often when I am painting I amconcerned heavily with the end result;this detracts from my enjoying theprocess of creating itself. In thismanner, the workshop was invaluable.I honestly didnt care what cameabout. I even stepped outside of mycomfort zone to use a detailed brush.

I have since purchased some temperapaint and paper to use to play aroundwith or as a precursor to painting oncanvas. I am having fun with it.
http://www.cliffwarner.co.uk/http://www.processarts.com/http://www.processarts.com/http://www.processarts.com/http://www.processarts.com/http://www.cliffwarner.co.uk/


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September 2009 Workshop Painting

My First Commission

I received the honor of doing my firsttwo commission pieces. A friendposted a link to my web site on herFacebook page, and as a result, one of her friends bought a piece from thesite. She then asked if I would be

willing to do a commission. I had notdone so yet but was certainly open tothe idea. She gave me the colorschemes she was interested in and Itook it from there. She loved theresult!

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At the divideWhere the known and unknown collideLies true art.I am the door.The telltale brushColors of countriesIndifference jubilationI am reborn.

- cjh

Eye of the Storm II 16 x 20Mixed Media on Canvas

In the Blue 36 x 36Mixed Media on Canvas

Celeste J. [email protected]://celestejheery.wordpress.com/
http://c/Users/Celeste/Desktop/Newsletter/[email protected]://www.cjhabstracts.com/http://celestejheery.wordpress.com/http://celestejheery.wordpress.com/http://www.cjhabstracts.com/http://c/Users/Celeste/Desktop/Newsletter/[email protected]

cjh abstract art newsletter, issue 2

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