Watermedia Works: "Perilous Allure" revisited

Monday, April 12, 2010

"Perilous Allure" revisited

This painting Perilous Allure was my very first blog entry back in late December 09. I found out last Thursday that it won an Award of Excellence in the Arizona Watercolor Association's Spring Exhibition. The juror was Michael Schlicting, whose work I've admired for many years.

20 comments:

nouvelles couleurs - vienna atelierMonday, April 12, 2010 at 4:56:00 AM MDT
this work is very nice... impalpable, ether..
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Tonya VollertsenMonday, April 12, 2010 at 5:04:00 AM MDT
Congratulations Stan! It is a great piece, I thought it looked familiar. You have put a lot of nice work on your blog since then. I like the mysteriousness of this one with the elements peeking through the misty veil.
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UnknownMonday, April 12, 2010 at 5:58:00 AM MDT
Congratulations, Stan!! I remember this painting and it's worthy of an award, to be sure. The mysterious shrouding of this figure is intriguing and masterfully rendered.
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Stan KurthMonday, April 12, 2010 at 11:43:00 AM MDT
Hi Laura - Thanks for the comment. Impalpable and ethereal are perfect words for this painting.

Hi Tonya - Thank you. Enigma and ambiguity are common in my work, however, and I hope this doesn't take away too much mystery, you can read more of what this painting is about on the comments on the very first post on my blog.

Hi Kathy - Thank you. I'm really most thrilled about Michael Schlicting giving me the award. I got to see his demo in the evening after he juried the exhibition and also talked to him for a bit after the demo. His philosophy is right on.
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-DonMonday, April 12, 2010 at 5:14:00 PM MDT
Congrats on your well-deserved award, Stan. It's always such a thrill to be honored by our peers.

-Don
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Myrna WacknovMonday, April 12, 2010 at 8:17:00 PM MDT
Congratulations Stan!! This is a very intriguing painting. Wish I could see it in person. The subtlety is best appreciated that way.
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Peggy Stermer-CoxTuesday, April 13, 2010 at 11:18:00 PM MDT
Congratulations Stan! Most deserved. I like how your title enhances the mystery and meaning of the painting.
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Stan KurthWednesday, April 14, 2010 at 1:46:00 PM MDT
Hi Don - Thanks I agree it is nice to be recognized by peers, especially the ones that you admire a lot.

Hi Myrna - Yes there is a lot more to see in person; subtle nuances that can't be seen on a web size image.

Hi Peggy - I love enigma in paintings. It creates a dialog between the viewer and the artist (sometimes).
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CiCiThursday, April 15, 2010 at 5:49:00 AM MDT
Easy to see why this would win an award. The color is beautiful and the movement is sensual.
Congratulations on the recognition of your work.
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Stan KurthThursday, April 15, 2010 at 8:29:00 PM MDT
Hi TechnoBabe - Thanks, the inspiration, or at least the reason for the title, actually came along after I was into it a bit. For some reason the song Tales of Brave Ulysses by Cream resonated in my mind and this was the result. I'm elated that you saw the movement as sensual. And also thanks for Directing Jim to my blog!
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Sharmon DavidsonFriday, April 16, 2010 at 6:31:00 AM MDT
Congratulations! This is gorgeous- subtle and delicate- I keep coming back to study it. There's so much in this. Again, the composition is wonderful.
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Stan KurthFriday, April 16, 2010 at 9:18:00 AM MDT
Thank you Sharmon
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Kaylyn MunroSaturday, April 17, 2010 at 11:42:00 AM MDT
You have quite a breadth of image making, from firmly drawn dump scenes to this ethereal study in veiled colors. That is impressive.

Glad the link to the WWI print show was interesting for you!
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EvaSaturday, April 17, 2010 at 3:10:00 PM MDT
This is an absolutely wonderful piece. I can understand why it won an award. Congratulations!
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Stan KurthMonday, April 19, 2010 at 10:34:00 PM MDT
Thanks Kaylyn, I used to get concerned about that but now I just let it flow.

Thank you Eva!
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AnonymousFriday, May 7, 2010 at 8:35:00 PM MDT
It's a beautiful painting Stan! Congratulations on your award- well deserved.
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Stan KurthSunday, May 9, 2010 at 9:22:00 PM MDT
Thanks Pam - What happened to your blog?
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AnonymousSunday, May 9, 2010 at 9:34:00 PM MDT
Hi Stan- One of my Yahoo accounts was compromised- and in a fit of paranoia- I deleted everything. So two weeks later- when I came to my senses- I had lost my blog URL for 90 days. I could use another- and probably will- or I'll take an extended break to reflect on the state of my sanity. In the meantime, I get to enjoy everyone else while I decide what I want to do. I'll be sure to let you know when I'm back at it. Doubtful I'll do the full delete thing again- it's taken me days to recoup all of my connections. It was a great awakening however for me on just what "WWW" stands for. As my hubby has said to me several times since then- "You do KNOW that it stands for world wide web???" I've been taking the time away to focus on drawing lessons.
Thanks for asking- btw.
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UnknownWednesday, May 12, 2010 at 1:58:00 PM MDT
Stan Kurth !
This painting is wonderful !!!
Congratulations , and have a creative time !!

Best from Liv
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Stan KurthWednesday, May 12, 2010 at 2:36:00 PM MDT
Thanks Liv!
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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."