Paul Gauguin's 'Still Life with Mandolin', 1885; featuring a remake by C.T. Rasmuss.

Opening statement from one of my art-books on Paul Gauguin:

"Gauguin has reworked the traditional still life and brought it up to date.  He has retained a number of conventional ingredients-the rose...however he's not studied the different textures of the objects-the peonies are solid as the wood...The picture on the wall belonged to Gauguin(painted by his artist friend, Armand Guillaumin), similar to a view out of a window as in his own, 'Vase of Flowers', 1881."

                                          Still Life with Mandolin, Paul Gauguin; oil (1885).

The following is my interpretation/Remake of the above accompanying statement/composition:

                       Remake of Gauguin's 'Still Life with Mandolin' (Lily); C.T. Rasmuss (CHAD), oil (2013). 

I see now after looking at the table, that I have a larger angle sloping downward from the left, changing the space and composition via vanishing line.  Where the vase sets, this vanishing line is briefly interrupted, here I'm reminded of Cezanne's still life's; where many of his lines were adjusted, sacrificed for the overall feeling of the work, which played a big role in Gauguin's work(and later the Modernists)..

From the beginning I set out to fill a space similar to Gauguin's original, which included color.  I planned on leaving out the Mandolin & possibly the China bowl(another reference to Cezanne); due to my unfamiliarity with such iconic objects, as I've never had a use or interacted with either one.  Once everything was in place, including place-mat(pun intended) & vase, I then started with the darkest leaves(undergrowth) continuing to use a brush, experimenting with technique; then I tried the peonies, but being unfamiliar with them up close, I had trouble to get them to work for me.  

Solution:

I turned my attention to the opening statement above(from my art-book)...I said to myself: "This is not me" and reached for the palette knife, from then on I never left my array of knifes, end result:

Thinly brush on 1st layer over entire canvas, brush on texture and objects as far as the brushes will take you; when all else fails: "Pick up the palette knives..and don't look back"!  In other words, study all you can and when you like something, don't copy it, but "make it your own", same as Gauguin had done over 100 years ago; hence my Lily instead of his Mandolin, I'm very familiar with Lilies:)

 

Van Gogh's 'Undergrowth with Two Figures', an Inspiring Work of Art.

                    Undergrowth with Figure at Sawyer Point C.T. Rasmuss, Oil (June 12, 2013).


I set this composition according to Van Gogh's 'Undergrowth with Two Figures' (June 1890), created in Auvers-sur-Oise, France.

I don't live in France and have never been, and I've never saw undergrowth such as in Van Gogh's painting...so when I was out on the Riverfront scouting for a good place to paint for the day, I was surprised to notice what was available to me on the Ohio River.  I've studied this painting every time I go to the Cincinnati Art Museum..and I absolutely love it(featured below)..

                       Undergrowth with Two Figures  Vincent Van Gogh, oil (June 1890).

My painting is a mix of an intriguing 'figure' (a brilliant white venue overhang) surrounded by 'undergrowth', I also replaced the trash cans with tall outdoor vases w/ flowers.  My favorite part as well as in Van Gogh's masterpiece, is the large tree smack dab in the middle right of the work; I saw this in his as a broken rule and  an obstacle he set to overcome..which I believe sets up the ultimate view of the two figures, and otherwise would be bland and ineffective if it weren't for the purposeful obstacle!

Enjoy!!!

'Gone with the Wind' by C.T. Rasmuss.

Gone with the Wind; C.T. Rasmuss, oil (2013).                                                

"This one's for you Grams..."

A mix between viewing a Rothko exhibit in Columbus, OH and a particular Matisse at the Cincinnati Art Museum, I present you with this still life.

Beginning with Reds and Raw Umber, I pursued a color field technique, with Rothko in mind; especially when leaving outside borders for colors to be applied later-Green, Med.-Yellow, placed straight to a large brush(unmixed).  Thinning out the remnant left on my brush, I ventured into the top portion, brushing this color out, leaving a 'pure' section for the still life.  It's at this point when I was reminded of the Matisse at CAM (seen many times)....when it clicked I stopped!

                                                'Portrait of Woman' Henri Matisse, oil (CAM)

After starting again, I brushed on Medium Blue til I ran out-leaving a pleasant surprise for latter in the middle border; I then added Prussian Blue to finish top and left outside border.  

Upon finishing the still life, again with the Matisse in mind(w/ a minimalist brush style/pattern) I installed the vase.  Here I created a deep blue base coat, and later added a lighter mixture of it to create highlight/texture, of course with impasto/Van Gogh tech. always in mind..here is where I started with the palette knife after failing with the brush & finishing the work's accents- for the complete and pleasantness that is.

Moral of story...Museums payoff, and I didn't have to even have them in front of me to influence my exploration on canvas...It's only out of respect if anything that we artist pay homage to the masters the best ways we can, and they will reward us beyond comprehension!

Thanks for all the faith Grams, miss ya!!

XOXOXO

Studying Cezanne - Going into the Past & Move Forward.

Mont Sainte-Victore from Les Lauves, Paul Cezanne, Oil on canvas (1904-06).

On occasion I've encountered works by early Impressionist, Paul Cezanne, like most people/artists what have you, whether in books or in person, even surfin the net...and always the same to me, blah whatever...somethin that irritates me, when I notice people doin the same to my work, a hypocrite I am..or was!!

Upon visiting The IMA in Indianapolis, IN, I encountered a landscape by Cezanne, and again blah oh well, "but there's gotta be somethin to it.." such a novice way to give this master audience, oh well!  Then I noticed something, a short posthumous statement on the artist:

Somethin on the lines of ...'his late paintings, are works that the founders of abstract painting in the 20th century, continually refer to.'  Which I later found in a book I purchased out of further curiosity.  And boy has it paid off, above I included one of my favorite (later) works of his; and after studying him more in depth, I've come to realize:  

        "its the cross section of the past and the future, then and even now".

To me this particular painting/concept/execution represents a cornerstone, from which I'm sure to base much of my work on in the future, just like many artists before me have built much of their progress from foundations of his entire collection, this is my Plymouth Rock!!!

Ready for Spring??

I'm gettin ready for Spring in a big way this year, how bout You?

I've already found some blossoms making their way here, they tell me to get ready for some real inspiration this summer...to get out there and see what i can see and put it to the canvas.

Perfect timing cause I'm really into Flowers and landscapes right now, likr you I've been cooped up all winter, if we don't make the best of it, then the worse will creep its way in somehow, like a mold and devour what is not being used.

So gear up those of you from the Northern Hemisphere, Spring is here!!!

'Mad Max City 1' by C.T. Rasmuss

Mad Max City 1  C.T. Rasmuss, Acrylic/Live Action Painting (2010).

When I first painted this artwork 3 years ago, it was untitled; then a few weeks ago I watched the movie Mad Max (Beyond Thunder Dome), starring Mel Gibson.  I've watched the Mad Max series many times(3 all together), but what made this time different from all the others was the fact I finally noticed the film for what it was, fantastically 'Artistic'!!!

I tilted the painting above, Mad Max City 1 because it reminded me of the city described by the girl at the end...also my way of paying tribute, posthumously to a film trilogy, that I spent my childhood fascinated with.

I searched it out at and as far as I can see, it was not awarded any major awards for costume or set design; while watching the film I thought to myself this should have won something!  How original and iconic it was, everything about it.  Mad Max Furiosa is coming out this year, can't wait to see it, maybe this one will get it's just reward, and maybe even shed some light on it's Artistic values.

Art comes in many forms and inspiration comes from many sources, hence this film noir is suitable for any and all artists as far as I'm concerned.

Georges Rouault: When Inspiration calls; Ride the Wave!

Upon visiting the Cincinnati Art Museum last Wednesday, I did a study of a Still Life by French Fauvist/Expressionist, Georges Rouault, cir. (1939).  Every time I visit the local museum, I've been oddly attracted to his works, whether they were his Clown, figure of Christ or his Landscapes; this time putting my Ego aside, I read the accompanying information accompanying the Still Life and read how he applied his Stained glass background to his works; something in me went off like a light bulb!!!

Now I can't stop, and as you can see from a few of my latest works, which I've posted for you above; I realized that I ran into unexpected inspiration, and can't wait to visit it again tomorrow(as I plan on going to the museum tomorrow), Thank you Georges Rouault for the inspiration, wherever you are!!

"Surfs up"!!!

Son_Art_A Re-attempts "Art or Die III" Friday @ Midnight.

Art or Die I  (2013).

Art or Die II  (2013).

Son_Art_A Performs Re-attempts "Art or Die III" Friday @ Midnight...

When:  This Friday Feb. 1st; 8th, 2013 @ Midnight.

Where: Hamilton/Fairfield Skate Park.

95 Joe Nuxhall Way  Hamilton, OH 45015.

Located on south side of Forest Lake Lane, west of Nuxhall's driving range and east of Joyce park entrance..

->click to view map to skate park<-

See You there or be Square!!!

Later Skater!

Jim Morrison: "Something Sacred".

MLK Day 2013- 1, inverted (live performance)  C.T. Rasmuss, India Ink (2013).

It is rumored that Jim Morrison of The Doors said once to a drinking buddy: 

"...they want something sacred."

This was 1st brought to my attention in watching Oliver Stone's Movie on the 'Electric Poet', Jim Morrison and The Doors...whether fictional or not,as an artist I can totally relate to this comment.  As I'm sure many others can as well, and its the reason for my blog today.

Today is my last day at Pendleton Arts Center-Cincinnati, because of this very concept!!!

It is in my opinion that the roof over 100's of artist's heads is only for the money; the people that own the lease and collect our rent, don't do it for the Arts(something sacred), but for the all mighty dollar alone(as far as I'm concerned ..again its my opinion based on a year's encounters, leading me to finally trust my first impression of this place-and places like this one all over the world for that matter.

I create because I want something sacred, and the best way I know how is through my artwork, I feel like a hypocrite when my work is headed in the opposite direction of the place in which I display it, therefore today is a great day!  

I'm leaving this place in search of "something sacred".. 

Son_Art_A Performs: 'Art or Die II' @ Midnight.

Art or Die I;  India Ink, (Jan. 12 2013).

Son_Art_A presents: 'Art or Die II',  in commemoration of:

The Z-boys of the 70's, where in the mid-1970s, a major drought happened in Southern Cali that parched Los Angeles. The drought brought on severe water restrictions, forcing many pool owners in the well-to-do neighborhoods to leave their swimming pools drained. The Z-Boys saw opportunity, and moved right in. They'd drive through neighborhoods scouting for empty or semi-empty pools...these kids saw an opportunity and took their craft to the streets..

"Skate or Die"

  -Pop.Calypse says: "Art or Die", whereas: Son_Art_A will 'scout' empty parking lots to  paint and voice our rights to be alive!!!

Who:  T_Paine will be performing 'Art or Die II' to the words spoken by, Red-Rodney  (reading from 'Rights of Man'-Revisited Manifesto by Son_Art_A).

>-Rights of Man-Manifesto by Son_Art_A.<-


**Son_Art_A will announce place of debriefing afterwards, where Pop.Calypse will recite    one of his poems (it will be a nearby place in which to warm up with some coffee).

When:   This Friday, Janurary 18th @ Midnight.

Where: Boone County Skate Park in Florence, KY -                
               
                8100 Ewing Blvd. Florence, KY  41042. - click link below, for map:

                                           
->Map to Boone County Skate Park<-

X marks the spot! Come out and exercise your right to be free!


The event at skate-park, will start promptly @ Midnight, and end A.S.A.P.; a rule of 15 minutes or less; so get there on time!


It's "GooRilla Artfare"!!! 

not

"Breakfast at Tiffanys"

                                                         Original concept diagram for "Art or Die", India Ink. 

I did it! (wrap up 2 of 4); 'Ode to Vincent Van Gogh' by C.T Rasmuss.

Well I made it! 105 paintings in 30 days!!  Which ran from November 22nd @ midnight to December 21st @ midnight.  This marks the first 'Ode to Vincent Van Gogh' 100 Paintings in 30 days...I have had quite a few artists respond to it, being that they would like to participate in the next one, or appreciated the notion; no matter the artist or type of artwork one does..Participation, in my opinion is a big part of the legacy Vincent had left behind( from his 37 years on Earth)...

I had done many drawings in this time frame as well as a few sculptures and what not, but being said, I count only 105 as they pertain to the original parameters(paintings in the truest sense); with only 2 more posts dedicated to this 'Artist Holiday' left, I plan on exhibiting a few more paintings and new parameters that I will apply to the next Artist Holiday.

For those of you that have followed this process with me in any degree, I appreciate your attention and appreciation for the legacy of Van Gogh as I wrap it up, putting it away til next time, Thank you and have a Creative 2013!!!

C.T. Rasmuss

Ode to Vincent Van Gogh; '100 Paintings in 30 Days' by C.T.Rasmuss (wrap up 1 of 4).

Pews with Hues  C.T. Rasmuss, India ink (2012).

The above painting was the spark for this entire 'marathon', click below to see it in its original state and context:

Ode to Vincent Van Gogh; '100 Paintings in 30 Days'; original post from November 22nd

Not sure if I made it or not, I've been on vacation for the last few weeks, I plan on counting the final tally by the end of the week sometime.  I find so much to say on the entire experience, much more that expected; so for the next four short posts I'll be wrapping up this experience (which ended on December 21st at midnight).

One totally unexpected thing was an article my friend/colleague Shawn Abnoxious wrote, it was an based on the interview he had with me during the process.  His take was from when I stated that it was 'A War on Idleness", and i must say it was well done, and definitely kept me motivated to finish in style.

It was successful in so many ways, that I aim to turn it into an Annual Artist Holiday, where I plan on starting it again on November 22, 2013 at midnight to December 21st, where any artist can participate if they'd like.  I think Vincent would be quite surprised by this, that his proliferation was so contagious to this very day; as he liked to share his ideas freely and see others succeed, I believe this was to his standards, and tasteful in every aspect...even if my ego says so..

C.T.Rasmuss