EXPLORATION CONTINUES

Ah! The level of esthetic competence has grown beyond the mere means of shape alteration. Now, the essential element begins to be form itself and the inherent meaning to be conveyed. These two examples in acrylics and tempera, show experience growth in aesthetic experience in subject matter (beyond simple objects and "prettiness"), color execution (modified hues with neutrals and lower key intensities), background handling (increased levels of depth and integration with foreground shapes), and in the use of symbolism which exceeds reality in its most common presentations. Both of these works have unique stories to tell. Would you agree?

Low intensity foreground "body" is surrounded by a more intense yellow that blends over the blue-to-black background imparting upon it a kind of textural application. This effect, repeated in the rays exuding from the lens of the face, nicely distances the low, horizontal base line that lies behind.

A deft hand scratches a line of demarcation. An open door with different landscape views continues the surrealism of present, past and future.

From black edges comes light and dark contrasts evoking the figures' power to reveal the mystery seen.

Here and in all paintings, the power is really ours--ours to see beyond techniques and processes; ours to perceive and understand as we please. A marvelous freedom, indeed.

  Always sure to surprise with a unique idea was typical of this student. Highly interested in presenting the unusual, his themes explored warrior people and implements of the past as well and imaginative idea relationships with alien phenomena of the future.

  Here we might imagine a contest between the powers of a unknown world; a conflict between life and death; an encounter where evil laughs, perhaps because it has won a victory. Is the head/snakelike form exiting or entering the skull and is the tree one of assistance or helpless observance?

  One of the most significant aspect of growth in art competence might be that of perception and its interpretation. That aspect is one that each individual cultivates on his own.

  An example of highly imaginative skills for both of these students can be seen HERE in two very interesting and technically intricate drawings.

REFLECTIONS

  The joy of mature depiction is both nurtured and countered by the thought that esthetic competence is an ongoing adventure. "Arrival" is only a temporary state ready to be surpassed by another and better event of expression.

  The purpose of a student portfolio is the presentation of one's current ability--the raw material ready to progress to further achievement. The variety of work displayed and the more inclusive the range of ideology, the more complete the potential imagery of that individual. Abstraction has many facets, many degrees and many expressions. To experience the techniques, integrate the idea with the proper means is to enable interpretation in many forms of expressive reality.

  To seek and identify with only the images we know is to limit both mind and spirit from a wider concept of knowledge and understanding.

  There is so much joy in newness, in bridging the gaps of inexperience and in having the courage to walk into new attributes of space and time. The previous 6 pages attempted to present how small steps can lead to greater discovery. Opportunity is always there--waiting for all of us to do the same.