Fluid Lines (with meaning)

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Smash 137  -  a fine contemporary Artist who's successfully transitioned his graffigraphy from the street to the gallery; deftly refocusing his abilities. This video from Graffuturism (and still images) gives a pretty good over view of the studio side of his oeuvre. Watching a b&w slideshow (complete with scintillating jazz) at Ruedione shows the strength of his compositions even without color.

I've had a "Smash File" for some time now; collecting links and wondering when I could properly present this artist's work. He is yet another example of how the many, familiar classic styles(schools) of modern and contemporary art are filtering through into street art today. His Diptych on concrete (below), with one panel empty is a familiar Andy Warhol trope. A short video of a Show at Speerstra has other examples that help make my point.

Justifiably proud of his work, his Website has 259 quality images. If that's too daunting for you, try skipping ahead by 3's or change the page number in your browser window. Besides traveling around the world, you'll soon notice that each piece (which is an iteration of his name) is titled and has it's own theme and color palette. The words "practice, practice, practice" come to mind and by-Jove, I think he's "got it". And yet, I much prefer his gallery pieces and hope this is just the beginning.

Enticing Textures

If you'll enlarge and study this painting ('Dream of Pollock' (for Kirk Varnedoe), 2007) by Martin Kline for just a minute, you'll get past the ho-hum feeling that he's emulating Pollock: he's not. The center area of this work is just a clue to the magnificent and colorful/textural paintings you'll find on his WEBSITE.  (3 pages of paintings)   I especially appreciate how he uses the color and grain of the panel supports to compliment his handiwork. It's unfortunate that the site's images don't enlarge, so I'm showing you this picture from a set of nineteen from his Show at Gowen Contemporary Gallery which includes installation shots and examples of other facets of his oeuvre.


Image from Gowen Contemporary.

Quiet Christmas

We didn't get snow for Christmas this year, so for all the planning, gifts and decorations it feels like something's missing. But the day will still be very special with church, dinner and time spent with loved ones.

Wishing you and yours a wonderful Christmas Day and hope for great things for all of us in the New Year.

Dot, Lines and Circles

Andrea Ferrigno's art will take you places. She samples so many different styles with her dots and lines that you'll wonder which way is up. I beg you to visit her Blog and enjoy this girl's seemingly, ever-changing oeuvre; because just one image does not fully represent her work.


Image is from her Blog.

Doodling With Power Tools

When DJ Simpson doodles, he does it in a big way. Using wooden support, laminate and/or industrial paints, he makes his marks with a router. I'd be curious to know his music choices; blaring over the mechanical din and shower of wood particles. You'll find a short Statement here.

The image is from Sies + Hoke Gallery and his 2006 Exhibition images. He has some smaller works in pinks and yellow that are quite charming.

Other images can be found at Sue Crockford Gallery and it's worth a look to see his installation at Gowen Contemporary.

The Dot Phase

I used to be somewhat surprised, but have become used to the fact that many an artist goes through a phase where they use dots in their paintings. Jozsef Bullas creates what might be loosely categorized as both op-art and fuzzy plaids. I mean that with the utmost respect and you'll see what I mean when you visit his Website. It's a treat, full of surprises to see the chronology of his work clear back to '89 and you'll notice that not only do some of the square patterns become round, but sometimes he's inserted a whole new train of thought by adding asymmetrical or random dots to the composition.

Typographic Topography

Keira Rathbone doesn't worry too much about words-per-minute; she's busy trying to get the perspective just right. It's just another proud example of artists finding ways to express themselves uniquely.

This image is from MyLoveForYou, where you'll find some more close-ups of this work and links to her site. More examples of her work Here.

And unbelievably, Mark Lawrence also does this kind of art with a more nuanced approach. Check out the middle two rows of images on his Website.