Watermedia Works: Dump #1

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Dump #1

Acrylic and Gesso on Yupo

19" X 19"

Landfill #3

Ink on Paper

8" X 7.5"

I Think I'll hang out it here at the dump for awhile; it smells so good and I need to do some searching. What do you think? Is there anything worth looking for here; are there any buried treasures? I think there might be, so I'm going to rummage about.

14 comments:

UnknownSunday, March 28, 2010 at 4:55:00 PM MDT
Fabulous work, Stan! The sweeping movement of Dump #1 is beautifully enhanced by the pastel colors and composition. Who ever thought a dump could be so beautiful?? Landfill #3 is no less wonderful. I could study both pieces for hours, and probably will. I'm a BIG fan of your work.
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AnonymousSunday, March 28, 2010 at 8:25:00 PM MDT
I love them both Stan. The colors in Dump #1 are just so beautiful. Your Landfill #3 ink drawing is no less stunning. I'm in total awe.
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AnonymousSunday, March 28, 2010 at 10:54:00 PM MDT
Hi Stan, I like how you have translated your idea into a painting; exciting! I particularly enjoy the repeat of spirals. Your drawing is inspiring!
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-DonMonday, March 29, 2010 at 12:38:00 AM MDT
One man's trash is another man's treasure... You've taken that old quote to another level by making everyone's trash a treasure. I really like both of these. Both are great compositions. I especially like the trio of people in Landfill #3 - it makes me think of a family looking out at the legacy being passed on to the next generation...

-Don
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UnknownMonday, March 29, 2010 at 1:05:00 AM MDT
Hi Stan !
I agree with all the others ,
Beutiful colours and composition ,
and a good idea !

I like the drawings too !

B. Liv
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MMonday, March 29, 2010 at 5:44:00 AM MDT
I love the intricacy of these two works Stan. I am pulled in and moved around by the details and the masterful way you've composed the works.

My grandfather was a garbage collector and I thought it was the most exotic job ever because every evening in the bib of his overalls he brought me home some trinket - a button, a marble or a piece of ribbon etc. While I never actually got to see the dump, in my child's mind the it was a magical place with all kinds of desirable things.
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Stan KurthMonday, March 29, 2010 at 11:26:00 PM MDT
Hi Kathy - Yes it seems I've glamorized the dump. I think by the time I'm done with this series, the dump will have several new looks. Thanks for being a "BIG" fan. That is such a compliment.

Hi Pam - Thanks. Colors always pop out when placed next to muddy or gray color. I'm certainly not a colorist though.

Hi Peggy - Yeah the spirals are sort of decorative, giving the dump a little more glamour. They also create some wind and stir up the debris and dust laying about. There are little wisps of dust along the top of the fill. In addition, the multitude of white lines help create the lighter value I wanted for the fresh garbage.

Hi Don - I actually titled a painting several years ago: "Another Man's Treasure". It's a painting of a made-up auto salvage with lots of car parts and bodies. You're right on with the legacy observation. I'm seeing the dump in a variety of ways and as a launching pad for further painting and investigation.

Hi Liv - Thanks, I'm going to keep moving along with the theme.

Hi Margaret - Some of the details are rather ambiguous and rightfully so. That's how the dump is and hopefully they raise the question: what is that?. Too bad you didn't get to go with your father to the dump. Yes! There are fascinating things at the dump. Whenever I'm there I can't help myself. I act like I'm taking a breather from the hard work of unloading my truck bed, but in reality I'm scanning some of the interesting surface objects soon to be embedded in a giant time capsule.
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Tonya VollertsenThursday, April 1, 2010 at 4:01:00 PM MDT
Both images are really nice and it's hard to believe a dump can be so whimsical! Love the "journey" swirls.
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Dan KentThursday, April 1, 2010 at 9:29:00 PM MDT
Excellent! The first is magical, and I love the raw feeling of the second. So creative as well - never saw a drawing of a dump before. I read a great book once where the author went to dumps to birdwatch. Endless possibilities with dumps.
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Stan KurthThursday, April 1, 2010 at 11:03:00 PM MDT
Hi Tonya - I think dumps are fascinating but they need to be embellished some. The swirls? I had to tie it all together somewhat; it's sort of a stirring of the pot.

Hi Dan - Thanks! Yes the possibilities are "swirling" around in my head. I'm staying at the dump for awhile. I'm thinking bigger, maybe even a large canvas. Haven't painted on canvas in some time.
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layersMonday, April 5, 2010 at 10:12:00 AM MDT
I think it is important to work,draw, paint or whatever-- in a series-- and your series should be what turns you on-- and if dumps are the turn on right now I think you should go for it and explore dumps :-)
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Stan KurthMonday, April 5, 2010 at 4:16:00 PM MDT
Hi Donna - I think that is what I'm going to do.
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Harry KentSaturday, May 8, 2010 at 3:20:00 PM MDT
the dump - fabulous motif and fabulous images ... just love the lyrical rhythms and the counterplay of intricacy with broad sweep ... so glad i found your blog, Stan
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Stan KurthWednesday, May 12, 2010 at 5:05:00 PM MDT
Thanks Harry, I'm enjoying your work as well; I like how your past is reflected in it. Your blog is indeed literary.
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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"

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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."