Redtree Times

In the Rhythm of the World– At West End Gallery

An artist must possess Nature. He must identify himself with her rhythms, by effort that will prepare the mastery which will later enable him to express himself in his own language.

–Henri Matisse, in a letter dated February 14, 1948

I like this thought from Henri Matisse very much. Nature is not static in any way. It is active, ever-changing and continually adjusting. We, as humans, thrive best when we align our life rhythms with those of the world. Very much as the monk/theologian Thomas Merton stated in his book No Man is an Island:

Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance and order and rhythm and harmony.

It seems to me that art is about recognizing and aligning with the rhythms produced by nature and expressing it in a unique and personal manner. I think you can see this demonstrated in any effective work of art.

This is the unifying idea behind my solo West End Gallery exhibit, Persistent Rhythm, and the primary belief behind the painting shown at the top. It is titled In the Rhythm of the World and is 12″ by 16″ on canvas.

This painting employs a format that I have used a number of times over the last several years, giving its composition an almost formal feel. I do this because the structure has a recognizable and easily accessible rhythm that I can easily slide into. Like painting anything in a series, this eliminates part of the thought process.

I then don’t have to think about what I am painting and can focus solely on how it will be painted. This makes for greater depth of expression and a subtlety that creates a unique feel and harmony for each piece in the series.

I believe this painting is a good example of that. It feels to me as though it captures a natural rhythm. I feel this is important because the rhythm of nature is not of one time. It is always contemporary, always in the present.

And that is what any artist hopes for in their own work. I know that I do.

Hope you can make it to the West End Gallery and see for yourself. The exhibit runs until the end of this month, on August 29th.

There will also be a Gallery Talk that will take place at the gallery on Saturday, August 10, beginning at 11 AM. It is normally a pretty good time with some art talk, plenty of Q&A, some light schtick, a few gifts, and maybe– just maybe– a painting given away.

Oh, who am I kidding? There will be a painting given away.

And maybe a brand new Maytag washer and dryer!! Maytag– leader in home appliances since 1936…

Well, maybe not that. But stay tuned. More details to come.