This is new but comes from some studies of Tryon Creek painted in 2011. Heat, coolness and the smell of watery green things was what I was after.
My friend, the photographer Eddie Greenly, has begun a project of interviewing artists in their studios while making a video. I was his first and it`s on YouTube. I think because it seemed like an experiment, I was relaxed. After initial mortification, I was surprised how coherent I was and by the skill in Eddie`s technique. It has one blooper. The editor must have taken some images off of Google and he included two of my buddy Jo`s. She did them in a workshop I gave and then blogged about and now we are forever linked. I`ll gladly accept the credit.
Somehow earlier in the week I got into a Thomas Nozkowski obsession. He is revered as an abstractionist of great invention and integrity. The work is so utterly original and odd I am often flummoxed. Yet I want to keep looking. See what you think;
Interesting guy too. He studied with abstract expressionists who rigorously believed that one just begins painting. No preconceptions allowed!
Nozkowski holds to that too. I would love to be the fly on his studio wall and watch him. Here and here are a couple of terrific interviews.
The legendary singer Nina Simone is being remembered because of a new movie and a controversy regarding the casting. Ta-Nehisi Coates explains exactly why this matters in the Atlantic.
Listen to her commanding performance of "Don`t Let Me Be Misunderstood".
work for sale in my studio
7 comments:
Randall,
Well! How wonderful to hear your voice. A nice surprise and I am amazed that you talked so coherently throughout the entire process and managed to paint well at the same time. I don't think I could do that.
I also read the two interviews from Thomas Nozkowski. I can see why you are obsessed! I hadn't seen several of the images either which I liked as well. He seems to do what he wants and is able to get his ideas out. I don't know formally why his pieces work but they are very appealing. Exciting even because of the mix of things that somehow seem to go together. And I like what he had to say and the way he said it-simple and to the point.
And for your piece shown first, it does remind me of the way that the creeks where I am can be both hot and cool at once. It's why those hikes are important to me during the summer.
Another good post. Thank you!
Libby
What a fantastic interview! Not only are you coherent, as you say, but you are relaxed, accessible, generous and genuine. I want to watch it over and over. I hope this youtube gets some legs and gets shared around the world. I'm sending it off myself right now. In fact, I will say it is probably one of the best interviews with an artist I have ever seen. Wow!
What a great video! I now feel like I really know you Randall. There's something about hearing someone's voice ... However, I wanted to move the towel and vase during the last few minutes so I could see what you were doing!
That video of you talking about painting was wonderful. Some kind of irony that you're nervous about teaching while being such an amazing teacher. You explain the process of creation for yourself so well. And it's so encouraging.
Lilo did know it's hard to weed in the dark. A seminal time for us both.
Loved the interview. I've always wanted to see who you are. I admire your paintings and have wanted to see you at work. On the subject of Nina Simone: I was fortunate to see her perform in person twice and had her albums. It was the jazz era. I recently saw her documentary on Netflix that was very interesting. When I watched her sing I had no idea how angry she was. She came across as a confident and open-minded individual at a time when I, as a white youth, was very interested in how black people thought. My favorite song was Don't You Pay Them No Mind about a mixed couple in love. I was curious.
Thanks Donna but now the mystery is gone.
She had a tough life and the racist attitudes she faced would make anyone mad. She could sure sing!
Great video, and lovely to see the man behind the blog, which is one I really enjoy for it's intelligence and insight - thanks for sharing yourself, and love your work!
Post a Comment