Archive for August, 2009

Fall 2009 collection of paintings to debut September 22

Saturday, August 22nd, 2009

fall 2009 collection of paintings

Exactly one month from today, on the first day of autumn — September 22, at 5:18 p.m. EDST, to be exact — I will debut my Fall 2009 Collection of paintings. The collection will bring together approximately 15 paintings that I have been working on since mid-July.

I will publish the collection of paintings as a complete gallery on my site’s Paintings gallery.

I have initiated the following countdown clock to keep track of the time remaining before I launch my Fall 2009 Collection of paintings into Internet space.

What is my motivation behind producing a Fall 2009 Collection of modern paintings?

Essentially, I’m jealous of how fashion designers (fashion houses) customarily showcase their collections according to a set schedule. So much creativity and planning is funneled into a set of points situated throughout the calendar year. When a fashion collection is unveiled, it’s a big deal — a defining moment — and the world takes notice.

In the sphere of visual art, things can be very different. An artist creates new works one at a time, over time. Yet, without an exhibition to work toward — or a simple deadline, even — the process of making art work just tends to flow along.

Goals are very important to my artmaking process. When I’m working toward a goal or deadline, my process making art goes into high gear; I’m much more productive and focused. I find that I spend more time making and less time thinking about what I’m going to make.

Art psychology aside, I thought the first minute of a new season would be the perfect moment to launch my Fall 2009 Collection of paintings. If things go according to plan, I will repeat the process again in December with a Winter 2009-2010 Collection.

There’s one piece to the collection of paintings that I have yet made concrete: Whether I will show this collection in the physical world. I am currently entertaining an idea to show the collection at a boutique, shop or gallery in Greater Phoenix, Arizona at some time in late September or early October. I will certainly make those details known as plans unfold.

Anyway, it’s back to work for me. Thanks for stopping by to check things out. More soon, I can assure you!

Grant Wiggins

Painting and color

Friday, August 7th, 2009

painting and color

Where do I get my ideas for painting and color? Like many artists, I’m sure, I find inspiration from just about anything.

I never know what will inspire me to create my next painting — and color is often source of my inspiration.

Right now, a textbook I enjoyed as a first-year in college is inspiring me. The book is titled The Meaning of Life: Questions, Answers and Analysis, edited by Steven Sanders and David R. Cheney.

In school, the chapter titled “Nothing Matters” really resonated with me. Today, it’s the book’s cover, designed by Infield/D’Astolfo Associates. My next modern painting and color scheme are very much a tribute to this book’s jacket.

painting and color

The intense clash of violet, ultrabright orange and white — and mixtures thereof — turn my eyes absolutely stark-mad crazy!

At my mixing table, I did my utmost to match paints to the cover:

painting and color

Yet, as I modeled this on my computer, I found that I wasn’t thrilled with using white.

Below, the first and second images are with white The third image eschews white altogether (Leave it to Verner Panton to talk me out of using white!), offering a variant of the second design.

painting and color

painting and color

Of these three, do you have a favorite? Let me know in the comments below. I’d appreciate your feedback.

All of this proves that, just like the meaning of life can be anything to anyone, inspiration for painting and color can be anything to any artist.

Grant Wiggins