Watermedia Works: Dialogos Ephēmeros

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."

Some Artist Blogs

Make Her Sky

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1150 Words

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Margaret Stermer-Cox

“When Circles And Spirals Dance” In Emerald Art Center Juried Show - Hello! It is such an honor and pleasure to share with you that my painting When Circles and Spirals Dance was accepted into the 18th Annual Emerald Spri...
3 weeks ago
Jim's Watercolor Digest

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1 month ago
ACUARELAS FLOR ESTÉBANEZ

España, Badajoz, Jerez de los Caballeros - Jerez de los Caballeros (Badajoz)
2 months ago
Haunted Room

The Verdict - The Verdict Acrylic/Canvas 48”x36”
4 months ago
Sandy Maudlin

You’re invited to our art show -
9 months ago
Visual Conversation

- "Sisters Three" is an abstract oil painting with three obvious female figures. There are other "sisters" in the rocky background. This piece was orga...
11 months ago
Daily Drawings

Marble Garden: floral oil painting - Had so much fun painting this explosion of flowers. Marble Garden is available in the shop.
1 year ago
Marielartwork • ζωγραφική

40 χρόνια δημιουργίας! - Καλώς σας βρίσκω πάλι! Στις 10 Οκτωβρίου του 1982 επέστρεψα στην Αθήνα αμέσως μετά τις σπουδές μου στο Παρίσι. Στο τέλος του ιδίου μήνα είχα ήδη οργανώσ...
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DEB WARD ART

SHOWS IN OHIO AND INDIANA - My painting "Red Swirls" has been accepted into the WSI Annual Juried Exhibit, held at Indianapolis Museum of Art (Newfields), 4000 N. Michigan Road, Ind...
1 year ago
Jacqui Dodds Art

Printmakers Pushing the Boundaries, exhibition at the Qube Oswestry - This exhibition and project was one of the highlights of 2021 for our Printmakers Pushing the Boundaries group of Printmakers. We are a group of six...
2 years ago
*UmaVagaIdeia*

'estudo TRÊS' - copyright DeniseScaramai
2 years ago
irreverent art

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2 years ago
MAGGIE RULEY, pottery, painting and life in Key West Florida

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Carol Jessen's Watercolor World

Virus - As many of you know, I came to Apalachicola, Florida on Dec. 21. I painted two paintings before I developed some serious health problems. I'll spare you...
4 years ago
Carolyn M. Abrams

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Watercolor Muse

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The Colorist

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Eva Macie ~ A Creative Life

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Antonio Requena Solera

- Rosa roja, blanca , roja , en el jarron...AL MAL TIEMPO...
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Blue Sky Dreaming

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jorgetejera

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Drawings and Paintings

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Liv Sørvaag

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5 years ago
True Adventures of an Art Addict

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A SPLENDID ADVENTURE

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Tonya Vollertsen
My Slice of Art and Life

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An Artist's Journey

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paintings

California Workshop-- Folsom CA June 12 - 14, 2017 - Watercolor Workshop Folsom, CA June 12 - 14, 2017 Contact: http://www.cawatercolorworkshops.com/carol-carter-folsom-ca-june-2017/
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layers

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Painting On

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Art Propelled

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Arting Around in SOVA

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Doug Braithwaite Art

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textures shapes and color

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M.E. BAILEY ART

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Neurobics: Keeping the Mind Active

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Mein Welt

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8 years ago
CREALINELIJNEN

Ready !! - Oil on canvas
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A R T I T

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Johannes Baul, Aquarelle, Pastelle,

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Don's Blog

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KLANDESTINA1

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Treffinger Daily

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PAPERWERKS

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paradise des marocaines

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Art of Evrard de Caqueray

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nouvelles coleurs

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Daily Paintings - by - Abstract - Impressionist Painter - Dana Chabino

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skizo

hole in the sky -
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Donna Iona Drozda...

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11 years ago
tachisme

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beth nash

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From Forensic to Fine Art

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PAUL KASMIR

paulkasmir -
11 years ago
Li

uma velha agenda - *my old calendar* rascunhos e estudos numa velha agenda do Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY. sketches and studies in an old calendar of Metropolitan Museum o...
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Four Seasons in a Life

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A Creative Life

lace wedding dresses - LACE WEDDING DRESSES Beautiful elegant cheap lace wedding dress save you 60% to 70% money. All tailor-made lace wedding dresses are cheap and affordable wi...
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Art and Painting by Cathy Hegman

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Robert Burridge Blog

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Nicola Moir Art

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MAKING ART AGAIN

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A Casting of Stones

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DJ's Studio

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MY DAILY PAPER AND PAINT

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An Artist Journal - At a Glance

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Bohemian Shadows

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paintingsandworksonpaper

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Karen Thompson Riehm

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Larabee and Liza

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Watermedia Works

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Dialogos Ephēmeros

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Some Artist Blogs