Watermedia Works: Landfills and Family

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Landfills and Family

Landfill #5

Landfill #6

Landfill #7

My newest work has taken a turn. I still consider it part of the "Childish Things" series but it has become more abstract. These paintings are all titled the same for this reason: there is a wide variety of discarded objects dumped in the landfills around the world and likewise in my landfills there are many ideas being dumped on the medium. All of this derived from my fascination with the dump when I was a child. If you think about it most everything ends up in a landfill; it's why archeologists have jobs. We're all destined to end up there someday, are we not?

Some recent images from the sketch book:

Childish Things

Dot Matrix

Landfill #4

MEET MY FAMILY

Just for grins because I love them so much, I thought I'd share my family with you all. They are all big supporters of my artistic endeavors, which means they also put up with my temperament. They were instrumental in my return to painting after a long period of not painting with fully focused intent. The photos of family members were taken by my daughter Briana and you can see her work on her blog at kurthphotography.wordpress.com Not pictured is my son Steve because I don't have a recent digital photo, so as soon as I do I will post. He is the oldest of my six children.

Wife Janet

Stepdaughter Julia

Daughter Briana

Daughter Candice

Daughter Sarah

Daughter Emily (the baby)

A FEW SHOTS TAKEN AT THE OPENING OF MY SOLO

Granddaughter Lily & Daughter Candice

12 comments:

layersSunday, May 16, 2010 at 11:57:00 PM MDT
what an attractive beautiful family you have-- and your paintings are unique and interesting theme
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-DonSunday, May 16, 2010 at 11:59:00 PM MDT
Wow, Stan. Your ladies are all lovely! And, talent hasn't strayed from the family line. Briana's photos are gorgeous and her blog shows the love she shares with her family and friends. Kudos for the great work and the wonderful family. I look forward to 'meeting' Steve when you find a current photo. Also, congrats on the solo show. I hope it was a smashing success.

-Don
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UnknownMonday, May 17, 2010 at 2:15:00 AM MDT
So beutiful pictures , colours and copositions…
love them !
And so beutiful family ,
Best from Liv
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UnknownMonday, May 17, 2010 at 5:00:00 AM MDT
Your family is gorgeous! And, you're blessed to have so many children - what a joy. Your paintings and drawings are truly remarkable. I've been a big fan of your work ever since I first saw it. Jaw-dropping and mesmerizing. This series, landfills, is wonderfully interpreted. So original and layered with meanings. I wish I could have attended your solo show.
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Maggie RuleyMonday, May 17, 2010 at 6:27:00 AM MDT
Love the new pieces.
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AnonymousMonday, May 17, 2010 at 6:41:00 AM MDT
Stan, I read your post this morning with my mouth agape in awe! Your posted paintings are glorious- your sketches are phenomenal- your family is gorgeous- and your daughter is clearly a stand out talent!! What a great post! Thanks for sharing your wealth of treasures.
Pam
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shayndelMonday, May 17, 2010 at 6:48:00 AM MDT
beautiful work, and family!
thanks for stopping by my paintings blog.
best wishes,
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jbkrostMonday, May 17, 2010 at 2:04:00 PM MDT
yep...
the art work and the family are all top notch, what's it like to have all that beauty in one room?
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Stan KurthMonday, May 17, 2010 at 11:34:00 PM MDT
Hello Donna - Thanks for the nice comments on my family and paintings.

Hi Don - Thanks! Briana is very talented. She has lost two portfolios of her work, one of which included one my life drawings that I gave her, my final for 2nd semester life drawing. I guess as she gets older she'll be more careful. My son is almost 40, and still skates and is a rapper (and he gets paid to do it).

Hi Liv - Thanks for the nice comments.

Hi Kathy - I think the whole digging-deeper-into-self routine has lead to the landfill. There is much to be discovered there, so I plan on digging around for awhile.

Hi Maggie - Thanks!

Hi Pam - Thanks and you're welcome. All of my daughters are artsy. They're all pretty good dancers. Sarah has danced with Ballet Arizona and both Sarah and Emily are on the varsity Spiritline at Cactus High School in Glendale, Arizona. During one period all five girls were dancing together competitively in the dame dance troupe. Briana has a very beautiful voice as well and is currently doing a video with my son.

Hi Joanne - Thanks! I just had to make a comment on that book cover painting, it's very powerful.

Hi jb - there was a time in my life when all 5 daughters were living at home and of course with their mother that made six females and me. I sometimes used this description of that scene: test in a sea of est. Let's just say there were some dramatic moments, but all in all I couldn't be prouder of my girls. Thanks for the nice comment.
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EvaFriday, May 21, 2010 at 2:13:00 PM MDT
Wonderful art, beautiful family!! You are have a lot going for you. You make landfills eye candy!
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Stan KurthSaturday, May 22, 2010 at 10:52:00 AM MDT
Thanks Eva - Actually these 3 paintings are not finished and indeed all three were painted over older paintings that just didn't work. I do that often.
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Red (aka Puddleduck!)Wednesday, November 10, 2010 at 1:43:00 PM MST
I love your work... and I just wanted to say you are blessed with beautiful children and a gorgeous wife!
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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."