Biomorphic abstractions

Over the past two years, I’ve pursued color-rich biomorphic abstraction. These carefully crafted, curvilinear forms interact in visually playful ways, sometimes portrayed against wildly gestural backgrounds. The forms are quite abstract, some seeming more animal-like, some more plant-like. I’ve rendered these compositions in acrylic paints, oil paints, or oil and cold wax. Below: Polendra, Parallel Lives, Orbus, and The Color of Void.

Why engage in fanciful biomorphic forms? Viewers are more likely to uncover (within themselves, really) meaning and interaction when the forms seem organic – but are sufficiently vaguely rendered to prevent ascribing characteristics of any particular species. The paintings are also just plain fun to observe!

Through June and July, ryan james fine arts will present several of these large-scale works at its Belltown capsule gallery at 2207 Second Ave. in Seattle’s Belltown (Omni Dental), open MWF 7:30-4; TTh 9-6.  Take advantage of Belltown's second-Friday art walk from 6-9pm on 6/13 and 7/11 -- I'll be there and would love to see you!

What a sprint!

After my vision stabilized from January's cataract surgeries, I focused entirely on planning, painting, and documenting new work.  Among them, two large (48"x 60") pieces:  Aqua Dream 1 and Aqua Dream 2.  The tilted backgrounds are acrylic, the biomorphic figures are in oil.  These figures have messages to convey!

In addition to biomorphism, I've continued working in my rectilinear vein, Influenced by Russian Suprematism and International Constructivism.  These movements continue to speak strongly to me.  See Turning (acrylic on canvas) and Dynamo (oil on canvas), each 48"x 36".

These paintings (along with 20 others) will become part of the rental program managed by Ryan James Fine Arts in Kirkland WA.  After they hang in a client's offices for the rest of the year, they'll be available for purchase.

Visual revelation!

After painting nearly nonstop through the fourth quarter, I'm spending January having my vision repaired -- specifically, having cataracts removed from both eyes.  Biggest surprise so far:  the substantial difference in the warmth of vision through the eye that has been repaired versus the one that hasn't yet been repaired.  For the past year or so, I've been seeing everything through a yellow filter!  I apologize to those with whom I argued over hues -- blue vs. aqua, pink vs. coral.  What a literal revelation!

"Joy at days' end"

Joy at days’ end. Oil on canvas, 24”x 24”x 1.5”. $500

I’m excited about this new painting for three reasons: it reflects the day I retired from 37 years as an academic (hence the “days’ end”); it’s the first time I used classic oil-painting techniques of underpainting, layering, and glazing; and I think it’s the best portrait I’ve produced so far.

When I started painting almost nine years ago, I declared a goal that within 10 years, I wanted to be able to enter my studio and undertake a meaningful non-objective abstraction, a landscape, or a portrait with confidence, with my choice based on what I felt was needed rather than on fear of working in any particular genre. Of course this painting isn’t perfect by my standards, but I feel good about my progress.

Available — though I’ll be displaying it in a July-August show in Tacoma — contact me at jw@jwharrington.com