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Organic Painting

No, sadly this post is not about organic paint, although I wish I could write a post about that.  That is, organic paint which is also archival.  In reality, this is about the appeal of form.

It is the time of year when many of us in the Northern Hemisphere traditionally head out for a holiday from our daily routines.  Of course, I am reading in this challenging economy many, this year, are choosing to explore the areas closer to home.  Without a doubt, that makes sense.    Some people choose to visit the wilderness or countryside during the hot summer months.  Maybe these are the people who call home a city or suburban area.  While those folks who reside in the country might look for a change of pace in the city.  Around here, even with lawmakers on recess, this capital city is still bustling!

Although it might be interesting, I am not here to talk about who is on vacation or what kind of person travels where during the summer, I wanted to speak about how people often seek out vegetation and water no matter where they travel.  Parks and gardens in cities are as popular as museums and monuments.  Clearly National Parks are a major consideration for many no matter what country.  Our family adores these areas and as you know we visit Glacier National Park in Montana on a regular basis.  When we lived in England, we lived in a National Forest (and traveled to European cities for holidays).  The point I am trying to make here is one artist know and often employ in their work – humans often find organic forms very appealing.  We also work to seek a balance in our lives and this is part of that balance, I am guessing.

sweet nectar

Few would find this photograph unappealing.  The curvy butterfly sits well among that spiky vegetation.  Even the spiky vegetation, however, is not thorny in the spikes, it has a feathery quality.  These are similar feelings one might wish to achieve in an organic painting because it is what is appealing to the human…the human artist and the human viewer.

double frottage

A double frottage shows similar soft forms below a spiky layer.  This organic form was appealing when it revealed itself to me.  Of course, this piece has gone on to inspire other work, however you can see the similar aspects of the photograph and the frottage work.

traditional long view

This traditional long view is beautiful with the sharp, hard rocky mountains wedged between the billowy soft clouds and the soft, crisp glacial lake and the feathery forest.  Many would love to just paint this as it appears in the photograph and indeed many viewers seek out this kind of painting.  Of course, you know, I prefer not to be so literal in my translation.  I prefer to allow the photograph to inspire me, then allow the painting to transport me to a variety of contemplative places in my mind.

Simple Contemplation

This painting, for example, transports me to many places depending on my mood.  While it is organic in its presentation as it often reminds me of the ripples on a mountain lake while a soft breeze is blowing, it can also take me to where the sky is that amazing sapphire blue.  In either case, I find myself staring at this painting a lot.  Now, many people would much rather see more form and many more would rather see the lake or the sky in context with perfect color matching.  My world doesn’t work that way, but I find these photographic images to be subtly inspirational.

The natural world can be very inspiring to the artist.  The shapes and forms along with the colors and textures can catapult the muse into many directions.  This is not to say it is only nature I find inspirational, because that is not true at all.  I do find, however, nature is appealing to just about everyone.  It is simple, it is contemplative, and it is our world.  With all of this being said, and with the recent news our glaciers are melting at a faster rate than scientists thought they would be melting, I encourage you to do everything you can to take care of this great place we call earth, this place we love, this place we are a part of which gives us life.  In your art form or in your work encourage those around you or who view your work to contemplate the world around them in detail.  You never know how much of a difference you can make.

So how about you?  Is organic form and nature a part of what inspires your creativity?  Is it important for you to contemplate the relationships you unconsciously make in your work?   I am eager to hear your thoughts.

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