cjh fine art abstract newsletter, issue 17

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Issue 17December 9, 2010

Abstract Expressionism: RichardAldrich (1975 - )

Richard Aldrich's first studio in New

York was a basement space with lowceilings, small paintings precariously

piled everywhere, and a floor strewnwith so many objects, books and

papers that you a visitor was unsurewhere to safely step without causing a

landslide.

Aldrich is now in a spacious studio.Aldrich plays a game, combining andrecombining things before deciding

where they should be placed, workingon many pieces at once. A section of

canvas might be cut out and glued toanother. Aldrich focuses on the

importance of process and to theamorphous way in which he proceeds.

Like a number of primarilynonrepresentational painters today,

Aldrich also produces semi-abstractfiguration (or semi-figurative

abstraction).

Aldrich's philosophy is that there areno right or wrong ways to go aboutworking in the studio, only different

ways. Still, he's picky about certainthings, and returns to time-tested

techniques he can always rely on. Heexpresses a sureness about paintings

that are highly refined as well asothers that are not, such as ones that

appear to be finger paintings made inan art therapy class.

He says, “I don't want to be confinedto my own bad taste.” He has also

said, “Sometimes there's energy in apainting and sometimes not. That's

what I look for.”

He will often build up a surface andthen rub it down. Along with brushes,he employs rags, palette knives, his

fingers, and lots of mediums: wax,Liquin, mineral spirits, varnish. His

paint handling can be feather-light orbrutalist, tender or raw, spontaneous



or deliberate. To the canvas heattaches blown-up photocopies,

typewritten short stories and poems,and found objects such as almonds,

pieces of wood, or a broken knife.Whether Aldrich subverts or asserts

his taste, both “good” and “bad”, hispaintings have always felt, and you get

the sense that they always will feel,experimental.

Featured Artist: Justin Aerni,

Macabre King (1984 - )

While Justin's art does not fit into the

abstract category, I've decided toexpand the scope of my newsletter sothat emerging artists can be explored.

I couldn't leave Justin Aerni out. I

own both of the art works featuredhere.

Justin is only 26 years old. He wasborn in Fort Huachuca, Arizona in April

1984. He grew up in Spokane,

Washington and currently resides inPortland Oregon. He started selling

his work to collectors and galleriesback in 2006. He is an artist who is

also talented in film production,sculpture, designing clothing and

producing his own experimental music.

Justin is the self-proclaimed mad

scientist of the art world. Hespecializes mostly in

lowbrow/outsider/macabre art. Hiswork is sought after internationally

with major art collectors and galleriesin France, Germany, Norway, Israel,

Iceland, Britain, Mexico, Canada, andof course, the U.S. His work has been

published in numerous art magazinesaround the world. He is also the author

and illustrator of such books as "DeadBusiness Men", "Nonsense Relevant"

and "Fighting For Fiction."

He is a self-taught mixed media artistand has been creating art since age 2,

exhibiting since 2006.

Most of his work depicts his own innerthoughts and emotions. It is a raw

expression. Most of his work so far hasbeen symbolic in dealing with what he

considers the biggest mysteries suchas life and death. His work reflects the

fragile human condition. In the lastcouple of years his work has been very

surreal, and has been described bymost of his fans as "Cartoon

Surrealism". His work seems to becompletely disconnected visually from

real life or "realism" yet veryemotionally translatable to the viewer.

A lot of his work is done without anypre-production sketch work of any

kind. The art that is created is strictlybased from a feeling or emotion that

he is getting at the time of creation.The thought or emotion seems to forceits way out in paint form. His paintings

are usually completed very fast within

two to three hours and are very rawand vibrant. Most of his past paintings



have dealt with the darker side of theemotional scope: loneliness,

relationships, sadness and love.

He has had the following exhibits:

WWA Gallery - Group Show - The Devil

Made Me Do It - March 2010, CAEmpyrean Gallery - Group Show - July

2007, Spokane WA

CGTA (Bruce Mcgaw Graphics) - GroupShow - Spring 2007, Toronto, Canada.

U*Space Gallery - Group Show –

2006, Atlanta, GA

I am sure I will continue to collect his

work.

What I’ve Been Up to Lately:

“Purples”, Acyrlic on Paper, 8.5 x 11,

December 2010

“Blues”, Acrylic on Paper, 8.5 x 11,December 2010



Poem of the Month:

Diane

“Catch Yellow FeverPlant Daffodils”

Is what the bumper sticker on your carproclaimed.

Just seeing that old car made me

smile.I remember seeing it on the parkway

one morning,finally catching up to it

(warm heart, lead foot)

to see you talking.I thought perhaps you were engagedin a discussion –

one far more interesting than the radio

talking head diatribes -even though there was no one else in

the car.I later found out

that you were praying.

As you apparently did frequently whilein the car

to maintain your patience and serenityon the road.

[We all know what Northern Virginia

traffic can do – even tothe hardiest soul].

Your face was bright

like hot air balloonsDancing in the sky

Dripping joyFor that moment and always

Those balloons, the “big picture” as you were

Not wasting timeOn bitterness

On regret

I am thinking of you and your cohortGolden

“Thelma and Louise”

I’d call you

Your laughter filled a roomLike butterflies

Brilliant and free

And your immaculate home, witheverything in its place,

But still comforting and inviting.

Family photographs in every room

reflecting your priorities in

life.Your treasured moments.

I’ve never seen so many plants

I thought I’d stumbled upon theGarden of Eden

(or got lost and ended up in thebackyard)

As I stood in awe,

with watering can in handListening to the particularsof each plant’s temperament

And you didn’t get upset in the leastAs I spilled water -

All over the floor,All over the VCR,

(which I noticed on my second visithad been covered by a

blanket).

And the beautiful garden -

your happiness personified.Telling me, “take some of these, and

some of these…” Which I did, in respect and with

gratitude,not telling you they stood no chance

with me,

that they’d meet the same quick fateof so many plants and other

unsuspecting flowersthat were unlucky enough to end up

on my doorstep.

You are a gift.Not just any gift, but the first gift you

open on Christmasmorning

when you are a childAnd those precious moments which

can never be recaptured,but always will be a part of me.



You are a teacherOf what is true and what is right

And what selflessness and forgivenessREALLY look like.

I will never forget you, or your laugh

I will carry you with me as I would awarm blanket on a brisk

and bright Fall day.And I will look for you every night,

As I open my eyes to the sky,Knowing I’ve found you when I see the

brightest star.

In Memoriam, Diane Finlay McCain

(1936-2005)August 2005

Quote of the Month:

All true artists, whether they know it

or not, create from a place of no-mind,from inner stillness.

- Eckhart Tolle

Celeste J. Heery

[email protected]

http://c/Users/Celeste/Desktop/Art%20Newsletter/[email protected]

http://www.cjhabstracts.com/

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cjh fine art abstract newsletter, issue 17

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