Archive for January, 2010

Abstract video art: In the studio January 27, 2010

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010

As an experiment, I thought I’d start recording my screen as I sketch new designs for paintings, then time-lapse the process a bit. The result is kind of like abstract video art.

I just think that something gets lost when the progression of a design is not recorded step for step. Also, on the way toward the “goal” of producing a new design, many accidental designs-within-designs can spring up. Video offers a way of listening for that kind of thing. It’s like an art equivalent to watching a game film — if I may employ a sports analogy.

Perhaps this will help me develop variations and remixes for future painting ideas. Like every experiment, we’ll see where it goes. I’m pretty sure I’m hooked on this idea, though.

Special thanks to my friend Chris Sietsema, a most capable digital marketing consultant, for encouraging me to start doing this.

One last thing: If you’re curious, the above design started with a mental picture (as always) that entered physical reality as a paper sketch:

abstract video art

Grant Wiggins

A found Frederick Hammersley painting

Tuesday, January 26th, 2010
frederick hammersley painting

A once-anonymous abstract painting owned by Laurie Pike was recently determined to be the work of legendary hard-edge painter Frederick Hammersley.

The “found” Hammersley painting is titled One Pair and is dated 1960.

Frederick Hammersley is one of my favorite painters, and I’ve written about him considerably.

With Ms. Pike’s consent, I would like to share the story of the found painting with you.

Ms. Pike writes:

“My best friend owned the painting — I am pretty sure he bought it in a thrift shop (!!). He never had any money, but had impeccable taste. My friend passed away 2 years ago and I inherited the painting. At a party at my house [in December], an art professor asked to look behind the painting and said, ‘This is an important piece of art!’”

Ms. Pike has consulted with LA Louver Gallery about restoring — and potentially selling — the Hammersley painting.

Grant Wiggins

In the studio January 17, 2010: Abstract pop art?

Sunday, January 17th, 2010
abstract pop art
Work in progress: A painting called Hypermodic Spastaculatron, as of 5pm on January 17, 2010. Lots of fluorescent paint going on. Is it abstract pop art, or something entirely different?

The latest news from my studio is this:

My Spring/Summer 2010 collection of paintings is officially “on.” Projected launch date is May 15, 2010.

This will be a decidedly “maximalist” series of paintings. (See more in this style in my maximal abstract art gallery.) This will be a departure from my Fall 2009 Collection, which was focused completely on minimal, geometric compositions.

I am not sure whether labels from the 20th century, such “abstract” and “pop art” really define what I’m painting. (”Abstract pop art” doesn’t quite work, either!) What I’m painting is something new, something that defies categorization, something that hasn’t been seen before. I’m gathering new shapes, patterns, and colors and throwing them into the future.

A New Year’s ambition of mine is to paint one painting per week. The Spring/Summer collection would therefore roll out with 16 pieces, if I’m lucky. Year to date, I have completed 0 paintings. Today, I am still working on version #3 of painting #1 in the collection, shown above. I shall persist.

abstract pop art
Choosing my colors: In the studio on Saturday, January 16

All of this considered, I want to show you progress on my work as best as I can. Yet, I also want to keep the collection under wraps until the launch date. Therefore, I shall offer you glimpses of paintings in progress, when available. Just like above.

Anyway, thanks for stopping by.

Grant Wiggins

Detergent boxes: Graphic inspiration

Friday, January 8th, 2010
detergent boxes
Image via daniele_lavamat

Over the holidays, I rediscovered my love for detergent boxes — especially vintage detergent boxes. I love how their graphic swirls and shapes are designed to arrest the eye. Beyond that, there’s something ineffably cool about the way detergent boxes have “all-over” compositions — they use all available space. Throughout this genre of design, it is as if negative space is viewed contemptuously as a waste of space!

That said, thank goodness for Flickr. And thank goodness for people like daniele_lavamat, who photograph and upload their detergent box collections (shown at left). If you haven’t seen this collection, and you like packaging, daniele_lavamat’s photostream is worth a visit. You’ll find fascinating snaps of European brands like Ariel, Dixan, and Soflan.

And there’s also IvoryTide’s photos of classic American detergent and soap brands, such as Fab, Rinso and Dash. The Rinso box below is gorgeous.

Guess I should upload photos of my detergent box collection, which represents brands like Trend and Biz. Wonder why I haven’t already. Regardless, a small part of my vintage packaging collection can be found on Flickr here.

Grant Wiggins

Fiesta Bowl Color Combinations

Wednesday, January 6th, 2010
fiesta bowl color combinations
Texas Christian University and Boise State University showing off a Fiesta Bowl color combination extravaganza. Photo title: gd13, originally uploaded by tcuphotos via flickr.

On Monday night, not far from where I live, the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl happened. If you don’t know much about — or have an appreciation for — American football, I shall describe the event to you like this: A team of men — who wore super-bright orange pants, white shirts, and blue helmets — converged around a green rectangle with another team of men — who wore purple-black-and-gray pants, purple-and-black shirts, and gray-and black-helmets with red trim — to battle for possession of a dark brown ovoid.

Fans of each team wore the aforementioned color schemes as they sat, stood, and jumped around while all of this happened for about three and a half hours.

I did not watch this game. (I seldomly watch college sports; no real reason why.) Apparently, though, it was an entertaining game to watch.

Regardless, there was something in this game that reminded me of an idea that has rolled around in my mind for a long time: When two teams — with two very different mascots and geographic constituencies — match up against each other, their respective color schemes are destined to collide and create an equally horrible and beautiful overarching color scheme.

In the case of the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, the big, overarching color combination can be extrapolated — more or less — into this eye-twisting set of stripes. (Thanks to stripegenerator.com.)

fiesta bowl color combinations

Consider the clash of colors that was witnessed in Super Bowl VII, when the Washington Redskins played the Miami Dolphins: burgundy, yellow, aqua, coral orange, and white. And when the Green Bay Packers play the Arizona Cardinals this weekend in the NFL playoffs, there’s going to be plenty of dark green, athletic gold, cardinal red, black, and white on display. (Egad.)

Do you have a favorite sports color combination? I invite you to share your story below.

Grant Wiggins

New designs for possible paintings

Friday, January 1st, 2010

Happy New Year and all, friends! ‘Tis a perfect moment for bringing back The Verve’s “A New Decade” … “the radio plays the sounds we made / and everything everything seems to feel just right.” Maybe we can get this decade right … is that asking for too much?

On that note, I’ve got to congratulate my father on turning 84 today. Big ups to my pops. Happy Birthday, Jack G. Wiggins, Ph.D., Psy.D., you incredible psychologist man!

And to my primary reason for this entry: I’ve finally had time — to make time — to hash out new designs (digital sketches) for paintings. And in the spirit of openness and optimism that I am sensing at the threshold of this new decade, I would like to share my new designs with you. Mind you, these are just sketches … some glitches are present here and there.

new designs
new designs
new designs
new designs
new designs
new designs
new designs
new designs

If you dig these, that’s cool — would love to know your reaction.

Thanks for visiting,
Grant Wiggins