Video Featuring Abstract Artist- James Little
Recently, I'm been feeling a little burned out on abstraction. So while surfing the web aimlessly looking for some spark of inspiration, I came across this Youtube video about James Little's recent show at the June Kelly Gallery shot by James Kalm . For me the best part of the 10 min. video was the studio visit, Kalm conducts with Little.
There's great footage of the studio and works in progress. Also Little shares his views on the current state of modern painting in America and the need for a distinctly American voice in the contemporary art scene. I find that intriguing and in line with my own thinking. I was particular taken with the fact that he acknowledges being influenced by the art critic, Clement Greenburg. (Greenburg was an early champion of Jackson Pollock).
Imagine that, an artist admitting that he was influenced by the writings of an art critic. Does that even happen anymore?
On seeing the works hanging in the gallery, I was impressed by the size and quiet energy radiating from them. What made me really stop and look was when Kalm mentioned that James Little used an encaustic and oil combination as his medium. To paint that large with hot encaustic wax must be intense. Encaustic painting is a a technique that uses melted wax and pigment. Apparently, Little also adds oil paint to his wax for an even more dynamic effect.
There's great footage of the studio and works in progress. Also Little shares his views on the current state of modern painting in America and the need for a distinctly American voice in the contemporary art scene. I find that intriguing and in line with my own thinking. I was particular taken with the fact that he acknowledges being influenced by the art critic, Clement Greenburg. (Greenburg was an early champion of Jackson Pollock).
Imagine that, an artist admitting that he was influenced by the writings of an art critic. Does that even happen anymore?
On seeing the works hanging in the gallery, I was impressed by the size and quiet energy radiating from them. What made me really stop and look was when Kalm mentioned that James Little used an encaustic and oil combination as his medium. To paint that large with hot encaustic wax must be intense. Encaustic painting is a a technique that uses melted wax and pigment. Apparently, Little also adds oil paint to his wax for an even more dynamic effect.
Comments
If you're impressed by the large size of his encaustic works, you should take a look at Howard Hersh's work (also a Californian). He makes huge, poured paintings also in geometric arrangements like James L. http://www.howardhersh.com/
Best,
Nancy
ALso thank you for the Howard Hersh link! What a great body of work!
Princess