The Process
joel kurtz • 21 July 2022
The Process
A tension exists in my art between the representational and the abstract. As a young artist, I spent hours trying to make my work look as life-like as possible. I loved how Michelangelo created powerful life-like forms, and I wanted to draw, paint and create art like his. But then there was also Dali, and I remember how it struck me that really you can do anything you want in a painting. Art doesn’t have to be realistic, and a melting clock can be just as interesting visually.
Historically, the purpose of painting was to capture reality, but the advent of photography gave painters a new freedom. As painters, we often blur the lines between the abstract and the representational, but working out how to do that - where to stop and start, and how they interact - is what’s interesting to me.
My art often emerges from my imagination and memories of events in my life, which are quite visually intensive. But art can be distilled into rudimentary elements such as lines, forms, and colors. Once, I was painting a landscape and I was essentially transferring images from my mind onto the canvas, but then I got stuck. I couldn't figure out what I was trying to convey. I worked on it and reworked it, and ended up painting over most of it with lines of color, one after another, after another, carefully laid down on the canvas. It was a very meditative process. I painted lines up to about midway where I had earlier painted a sky. Then as I stared at the blue sky, I notice something interesting. The lines were interacting with the landscape and in fact becoming a part of it. I started to understand these lines as representative of abstract ideas that we can't quite put our finger on – they are almost ineffable. This rudimentary element had become an essential part of my painting and has continued to evolve in my work.
Working through a painting can be a meditative process and breakthroughs will come, but you need to keep at it. Picasso once said, "Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working." So, I keep working. They don't always turn out well, and that's okay. Creating each painting is a learning experience and I enjoy the process. Eventually, a balance is achieved between the real and the abstract.
Discover more - www.joelkurtz.com
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Cholladee Jampathom, aka 'ChollCholl,' is a Thai artist and illustrator. She was born in Bangkok, Thailand, in September 1989. She graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Communication Arts and a Master's degree in Graphic Branding & Identity." Although she did not graduate directly in the field of art or have a background in this area, she has been interested in and passionate about drawing since childhood. Additionally, her parents also have a love for art and music, which has led them to support her artistic journey all along. She began to focus more intensively on her artistic career in the past few years. Her interests tend to focus on inner growth, nature, and the subtle nuances of being human. Therefore, her work often contains elements that reflect thoughts, inner states, and the journey of understanding and discovering one’s own identity.
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Laurentiu STROE - Color, Texture, Inner Emotions
Your colors are so rich. How do you achieve this effect? When it comes to full-format graphic works, there is no secret as such. Achieving such rich and vivid colours is a combination of technique, material and intuition. I start by choosing high quality, expensive pens made by SAKURA, JAPAN, which allow me to achieve maximum colour saturation. Ultimately it is about finding the right balance and harmony to allow the colours to speak and evoke the right emotions. My goal is to make colours not just seen, but felt. Whether I am working with traditional materials or digital media, I focus on layering and blending to create a sense of saturation that mesmerises the viewer. Ultimately my approach to colour is about creating emotional resonance. I choose colours that evoke certain feelings and experiences, allowing the viewer to connect with the work on a deeper level. By carefully manipulating colour, I strive to create work that not only attracts attention, but invites contemplation and participation. Did you begin by drawing, painting? How did your art evolve over time? My journey in art began with black and white graphics. I was captivated by the simplicity and immediacy of a simple black gel pen and white paper, which allowed me to freely express my thoughts and emotions. Over time I moved on to conceptual art where I discovered the richness of the depth of colour. My art has evolved considerably, influenced by the different experiences, cultures and techniques I have encountered along the way. Initially I focused on black and white abstraction, but as I became more confident, I began experimenting with coloured pens and mixed media techniques. This evolution reflects my personal growth and desire to challenge traditional boundaries in art. Each phase of my artistic journey has contributed to the unique voice I strive to express in my work today. I see myself developing further by creating a multi-layered installation where I can engage the viewer's tactile, auditory and visual senses. What do you want the viewer to feel? A person can display on his face only one emotion fear, joy, sadness, sympathy. But in his soul a man is multifaceted. All intertwined experiences, from love to hate, create in the depths of his soul the most important feeling. And its name is Zero Emotion. And it is this emotion that I try to catch and capture in my works. Through my art I hope to evoke a sense of connection and introspection in the viewer. I want them to feel a deep resonance with the layers of stories and emotions embedded in each piece. My artwork is meant to awaken curiosity, inviting the viewer to explore and uncover their own interpretations and perceptions of reality. Ultimately, I strive to create the very world to which the viewer resonates.
