Watermedia Works: Dine With Me

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Dine With Me

Happy Valentines Day to all!

9 comments:

UnknownSaturday, February 13, 2010 at 4:00:00 PM MST
Love-ly!! Happy Valentine's Day, Stan.
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Stan KurthSaturday, February 13, 2010 at 9:29:00 PM MST
Same to you Kathy!
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-DonSunday, February 14, 2010 at 1:29:00 AM MST
Depends... what's on the menu? :-D

Nice job, Stan. My favorite part is that touch of orange. It makes that heart glow.

Happy V-Day to you, as well.

-Don
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Stan KurthSunday, February 14, 2010 at 11:13:00 AM MST
I like the orange too, otherwise too blue. I have five daughters and at one point in my life it was me and six females in my home. I often refer to that period as "test in a sea of est". I do have one son (the oldest of six children) and I'm sure if the rest had been boys Valentines day would not be the major production that it has for the last several decades. That being said, I'm heading for the movies to see "Dear John" (I'm more of an "Aliens" guy). Oh well, one must sacrifice now and then.
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Linda RoseMonday, February 15, 2010 at 7:06:00 PM MST
Beautiful Stan, just like all of your work.
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layersWednesday, February 17, 2010 at 7:58:00 PM MST
hello. I think I have been by your blog before.
I have in-law family down in Tucson and my husband's nephew and family live in Peoria. I come from a watermedia background and once juried the AWA exhibition and have taught several workshops down there-- went down to Tucson to the rock and fossil show a few weeks ago-- nice in the winter-- HOT in the summer :-)
I like your abstract and non-objective paintings very much.
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XiuCheng Che Award-winning Chinese Watercolor ArtistMonday, February 22, 2010 at 4:11:00 AM MST
nice,well done!
Thanks for your nice comment for my watercolor paintings.
Regards
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Tonya VollertsenMonday, February 22, 2010 at 1:02:00 PM MST
I have to hand it to you here. Not only did you create a great design but you actually made hearts look not only manly but fresh and new! Interesting!
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Stan KurthMonday, February 22, 2010 at 10:42:00 PM MST
Hi Tonya,

Manly hearts, never thought of that but I suppose it's true. Jim Dine's hearts were certainly manly, as well as his robes and such. This was sort of an experiment from a couple years ago. Thought I'd post it for Valentines Day.
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Statement

One definition of intuitive includes words like feeling and instinct. These terms are mildly interpretive, and who can argue with artists who “feel” their way through paintings. My definition of intuitive painting is beginning the work without any preliminary thoughts or plans for a particular object or subject as an end, but rather starting on a blank substrate, making marks with a variety of tools, creating a library of design elements and applying design principles until a personal aesthetic is achieved. I do not use any external reference.

Marks are mostly random early on, but sometimes lines or shapes of thoughts occur during the process. Many of these are repetitive, my archetypes. It is not uncommon to find vague human anatomy, non-specific animals, interiors, buildings, furniture, vessels, surreal botanicals, automobiles/parts and a multitude of objects I have found interesting over the span of a lifetime. Some of these shapes may look familiar but are ambiguous enough to allow the viewer a personal narrative. This may be intentional or not on my part. I prefer mystery and intrigue over the obvious.

As paintings progress, more elements including color are introduced. These are random at first but as the process continues a shift towards design takes place. A dominant color temperature may emerge, or a glaze might unify colors beneath it. Values can shift to dominant light, mid or dark. Elements are enhanced, obscured or covered up. There may be multiple layers and quite often evidence of the beginning will peek through. I use a variety of tools to apply pigment or remove it in varying degrees. These tools include brushes, palette knives, scrapers, sticks, sandpaper, my hands, my fingernails and more. Gradually principles such as rhythm, harmony, unity, pattern, gradient, conflict, dominance, contrast, balance, repetition, alternation and movement coalesce into a composition I find esthetically pleasing.

It is one thing to make a pretty picture with good composition, but quite another to bring the viewer into a painting by such means and hold their attention with content. My objective is to evoke a pleasing visceral response from the viewer.

"There's a complex simplicity in Stan Kurth's paintings that is both paradoxical and straightforward. As he works with multiple layers of watercolor and gesso, his provocative images emerge. Ambiguity and form coalesce into a singular, cohesive vision that holds the viewer spellbound"

Betsy Dillard Stroud - Watercolor Masters and Legends: Secrets, Stories and Techniques from 34 Visionary Artists

About

"Artist and workshop instructor Stan Kurth has drawn and painted most of his life. An aunt, who was an artist and art instructor, became a big influence even before he began school. Stan lives with the conviction of “fear not” and that same attitude permeates not just his life but his art. His focus and dedication to his work have earned him signature member status in several watercolor societies including the National Watercolor Society, San Diego Watercolor Society and the Western Federation of Watercolor Societies - Master. He currently lives in Arizona."