Watermedia Works: It's Been Awhile

Monday, September 26, 2011

It's Been Awhile

Pompadour

25" X 19"

Acrylic & Gesso on Yupo

It's been awhile since I've blogged and wouldn't you know it, just like Facebook this crazy blogger compose interface has changed. What can I say, perhaps I'm just not a natural born blogger. It takes so much time to do this and quite frankly I'd rather be painting. I'm 62 years old this November and still working a full time job to support the family (one daughter still at home and one starting her freshman year at Northern Arizona University). So I find myself going into the studio at all kinds of crazy hours. I apologize for not keeping up with all of my blogger friends and miss the interaction every time I get on here. I'm still lurking about looking at all the wonderful art that pops up from those I follow but just barely have the time to look at all of it. I do have some wonderful news to report (at least to me): I had a painting (Lunatic Fringe) accepted for the 91st Annual Exhibition of the National Watercolor Society. The painting was also chosen for the traveling exhibit. Oh yeah, and probably the best news, I was awarded signature status so it's off to San Pedro, California in October.

16 comments:

-DonMonday, September 26, 2011 at 11:20:00 PM MDT
Great to 'see' you around again, Stan. You've been missed. You came back with quite a bang! Pompadour is outstanding. I love the colors and find the whole piece to be quite haunting in a slightly disconcerting way. I LIKE IT! Congrats on both the acceptance of Lunatic Fringe (one of my favs) and becoming a signatory. Both are well deserved.

-Don
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Educational ResourcesTuesday, September 27, 2011 at 5:38:00 AM MDT
Lovely water work. Glad to see you back.
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Casey KlahnTuesday, September 27, 2011 at 7:36:00 AM MDT
I admire your style and am happy about your signature status in the NWS.
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William CookThursday, September 29, 2011 at 10:48:00 AM MDT
I was wondering what became of you. Glad you're back--great work! Forgive my idiocy, but what is a signature status?
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Peggy Stermer-CoxSaturday, October 1, 2011 at 8:28:00 AM MDT
Congratulations Stan! I like the title you chose for this painting; it fits! I do enjoy looking at your work.
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Stan KurthSunday, October 2, 2011 at 11:05:00 PM MDT
Don - Thank you, I like slightly disconcerting!

Educational Resources - Thanks, glad to be back if only for a few fleeting moments.

Casey - Thanks!

William - Thanks for the compliments. Signature status is earning the right to sign the initials "NWS" after your name on a painting. This is decided by a panel of National Watercolor Society Judges who examine a small body of work submitted by the artist when he or she has a work selected for the annual exhibit. You can also obtain this status by having exhibited in three annual exhibitions. Different organizations have different means of attainment but in watercolor or watermedia the desired two are the American Watercolor Society and the National Watercolor Society with AWS carrying the most status.

Peggy - Thanks, that's wild and crazy hair eh?
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AnonymousMonday, October 3, 2011 at 7:34:00 AM MDT
Stan, I have only recently found your blog, and really enjoy your work and words. Congrats on your new status! You must be pleased.
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Stan KurthMonday, October 3, 2011 at 5:49:00 PM MDT
Maggie - Thank you, I'm going to enjoy the next three years checking out your washes!
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Tonya VollertsenWednesday, October 12, 2011 at 3:21:00 AM MDT
Stan, Congrats on all your great news! I love both paintings and Fringe is particularly amazing. I'm glad you still find some time to post and let us see your wonderful work.
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Stan KurthWednesday, October 12, 2011 at 10:54:00 AM MDT
Tonya - Thank you for the encouragement.
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brbulka.gTuesday, October 18, 2011 at 3:52:00 PM MDT
Very nice... :-)
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Stan KurthTuesday, October 18, 2011 at 4:28:00 PM MDT
brbulka.g - Thank you!
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BrandNewStudioWednesday, October 26, 2011 at 5:22:00 AM MDT
Excellent Work
Good Creations
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Stan KurthWednesday, October 26, 2011 at 9:29:00 PM MDT
BrandNewStudio - Thanks, Skizo!
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EvaTuesday, December 6, 2011 at 7:11:00 PM MST
Congratulations Stan! A well deserved award for someone with your talent. I understand about not keeping up with everyone's blogs. It is all I can do to respond to those who leave a comment on mine. Even though I'm retired, at my age I'm spending more time in the doctor's office than at home :O(
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Stan KurthTuesday, December 6, 2011 at 9:38:00 PM MST
Eva - Thank you! Praying for your health.
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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."