TheCompositional Strength of Dots

Although Tomas Nakada describes his works as referencing patterns that are created by microscopic cells, their growth and migration; I'm again reminded of the power of using dots as the sole compositional tool and how far we've come since the Pointillists.

He's represented by Gallery Paule Anglim, where you'll see several variations on this theme and you can visit his Website.

This image is from Moon River (Blog).

Dot Sampler

A while back when Gagosian was doing the Damien Hirst Dot Extravaganza, a Blog named All About Art decided to do a Sampler, of sorts. There's more than a few pleasant surprises here and once again we're reminded of how so many different artists have their own take on any given genre.

If this has whet your appetite for all things, dots, you'll get some real satisfaction from checking out the artists in the far right column under the headings of - Paintings With Dots, Post Modern Pointillism, and Dottillism.

The image above is Joanne Mattera's "Cera 34", 2000  encaustic on panel, 24X24 inches; courtesy of Arden gallery via All About Art.

Shiny Square Dots

Amazing how some things just grab you: I would really like to have this. Somehow it hovers between object and painting; medallion and rough sketch. This feels homemade and elegant at the same time and it looks like the raised squares are reflective, which adds yet another layer of intrigue and interaction.

 But alas, this beauty by Michiel Ceulers is a one-off. Don't even bother to Google him; it's a tremendous disappointment. To add insult to injury, his Website only has b&w images of his work . . . . .

This image is from the white hotel, where you can get lost perusing all the amazing artwork from different artists,  genres and time periods.

Much More Than Dots

Peter Schuyff uses dots, circles and combinations thereof (and other shapes) to hijack his compositions. These pretty little disruptors have a charm all their own, coaxing us to reconsider how things work in the picture plane.  This image is from the Self Portraits, at his Website and he also does the same kind of thing in the Drawings On Drawings Series. But then he wanders off in other directions; or so it seems. My impression is that he's just teasing us with simple complexities: plumbing any deeper meaning is up to us.

You really should do a little research before coming to any conclusions. There's some very beautiful work out there, not shown on his site.

If you were wondering what makes him tick, watch this video for an unusual bit of entertainment.

The Dot Phase

     So many artists go through a "dot phase" as to make you think it's de rigueur. Whether they're sampling others' ideas or stretching their own boundaries, using the dot as a tool or sole subject matter is an exercise with a long history of success.

     Eli Bornowsky's production of dot paintings in 2008, 9 and 10 are not only fascinating and pleasing, but they have a scientific feel to them; as through he is testing color theories. I think that after the over exposure to Hirst's particular grid pattern, you'll find Bornowsky's compositions a welcome and soothing relief.

     This image is from his Website and targeted to the Works on Paper, page. Be sure to also check out the paintings from 2010; then click on the other links to see how different his work is before and after the dot phase. You may agree with me in thinking that his most beautiful paintings are the Dots.

All About The Dots

Ralf Brog is a multi-talented artist and I'm glad that he put the time and effort into making the Fuzzy Logic Series of paintings. This image is from the Petra Rinck Galerie, where you'll find more fascinating works. I couldn't find anything about him in English . . .

Peripheral Hallucinations

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Eric Blum uses differing combinations of ink, watercolor, beeswax, silk and resin to create his surreal and ethereal images that tease our memories for answers.
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This image is from the Marcia Wood Gallery and you'll also want to visit his Website.
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Phantasmagorical Dot Paintings

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Rather than try to explain Dana Oldfather's quiet but moving oeuvre, just go to her Website and enjoy these paintings for yourself.
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You'll also want to visit her BLOG.
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Image from her Website.
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Concave Dots

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Victor Longo has a "thing" for wood; in fact his approach to this medium is quite disarming.
When you visit his Blog, be sure to go through all five pages to appreciate how this man's mind works. Clicking on the images at his site results in big beautiful enlargements.
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Dotty Holidays

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Wishing all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Wonderful New Year.
And a very special Thank You to those who follow my blog.
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This lovely 12" cube (animation paint on aluminum) is by Simone Adels and you can see more of her 2-dimensional work at Angles Gallery.
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Image from Angles Gallery.
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Dirt Dots

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Well, you'll have to visit her site to fully appreciate that statement. This piece, "Red Dirt Poem" 2006, made of black stoneware and Mt Rainier red earthenware should be a big clue. But you'll still be in for some nice surprises when you visit Margaret Boozer's Website.
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Maybe it's just me, but the navigation arrows on her pages are so discreet that you almost don't realize there's more content to be seen - believe me, you'll want to see everything.
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Image from her website.
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Abstract Hieroglyphics

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When you read this short Press Release for his show in 2008, it becomes so easy to understand most of Matt Magee's hieroglyphic-like paintings. But then, when you visit his Website and see the wonderful dott paintings from the 1995-2000 Series ( a few of which could compete nicely against contemporary aboriginal dots painting), you wonder how he got from there to here (like the lovely painting below). But then he goes back to the hieroglyphics and reductive works. There are times when I wonder if his is an oeuvre without a rudder. Regardless, there are more than enough wonderful pieces to make you glad you visited his site. I found many paintings to be an inspiration.
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When you visit his Galleries, you'll need to click on the left-facing v, to the left of the thumbs to go back to the previous page.
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Top image from Wilson Stephens Fine Art.
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Bottom image from Artnet.
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Square Dots

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Well, what would you call it ?
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This acrylic by Kerstin Gnauck takes a minute to "get into" and then it's quite relaxing and friendly. Check out her Website and especially This. Her site's in German, but take the time to really snoop around and you'll get the gist of what she's about.
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Changing The Dotts

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We've posted about Teo Gonzalez before and his beautiful, mesmerizing works. At a certain point he took stock of his oeuvre and made some changes, which you can read about Here. This image is from and he's also represented by Spanierman Gallery where they also echo the different tactic.
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The Press Release for his 2008 Show at Irvine Contemporary gives insight into the older process and they have 28 images of his work. (Be sure to check out page 5.)
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Andy Does Dotts

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You're right, they're eggs, not dotts and the artist is Andy Warhol. My point is that many an artist have toyed with this simple shape. Some concentrate on color and composition while others sprinkle them here and there to anchor the picture. But for whatever reason, it's a shape that commands attention.
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Image from Jablonka Galerie.
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Collagraphic Dottillism

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Eunice Kim's Artist Statement is short and to the point and if you have no idea what collagraph is, she'll tell you all about it when you visit her Website - just click on About the Medium.

Image is from Augen Gallery.
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The New, old Larry Poons

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Remember the early, op-art work of Larry Poons ? It's been so long now that it's even hard to find examples of the older work on the net. Fortunately someone has picked up the baton and updated this oeuvre.
Jon Thompson is represented by the Anthony Reynolds Gallery and it's a treat to go back chronologically through the 22 examples of his work. This image is from the current group show at Kusseneers where he's in great company.
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Those Darn Dots

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After being so precise painting my own dots, it rather took me by storm to see the casual looking paintings by Jerry Zeniuk. The work seems to be more about color and spatial relationships than the shape of the applied paint. Raw canvases bear witness to strains and in some works it's evident that the marks have no respect for the personal space of other marks. His paintings run the gamut from dot paintings to lapping fields of color. An interesting and colorful oeuvre, indeed.
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Image from Galerie Slewe.
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Painting With Plastic

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This was supposed to be the next post because it ties in so well with the May 22 Post, but I got all wrapped up in getting ready for my show at the Watkins Glen Gallery . . . . .

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Anyway, you'll want to read all about Klari Reis and her very interesting oeuvre. Her paintings are sumptuous and when you visit her Website, you'll be blown away with the bright clear pictures of her art Installed. (Her site takes a couple seconds to load.)

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When you read This about her Petri Dish art, be sure to click on the link in the first paragraph - it's way cool.

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Photo is from Palo Alto Online.

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Bleeding Dottillism

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There's a nice interview (and studio shot) with John Dempcy where he easily explains the process behind his art. And even though these seem obvious, it really is wonderful how he controls the events that bring each piece to life.
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The image is from Julie Nester Gallery, where the thumbs enlarge just a tad bigger than the many images on his own Website.
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