Paint, Paper and Fiber - Tom Dimond and Terry Jarrard-Dimond - Part II

Trinity V2 - Tom Dimond - 1997

30" x 22" - mixed media

I have known Tom Dimond since I was a senior student in college.  I have watched his work develop and how he can mine the gold of his ideas.  His sense of composition and eye for color are exceptional.  Tom is a fine artist and he is also my partner in life.

Looking at this tiny sampling of his work I am struck by the depth of information contained in each work and what a beautiful flow there is between each piece.  There are strong and continuous lines of exploration that run from our first meeting through today.  

Perhaps the strongest of those ongoing explorations is his love of geometric abstraction.  If all a viewer knew about his work was his current work they might be surprised by that statement as his work has broadened and softened recently.  However, the understructure of all of his work, the foundation of all of his work is firmly geometric and abstract in nature.

Trinity V2 is the oldest piece in this group and the bones of the painting are very clear.  If you click on the image to enlarge you will see the complex pattern of circles.  This is a structure he has used as a format for many years.  While it serves as an "actual framework" I have always thought of it as a way for him to get into the work as drawing all of that structure takes many hours.  These hours are ripe for contemplation and meditation.

Trinity V2 - Tom Dimond - detail - 1997

30" x 22" - mixed media

If you have ever taken an art history class or read art history you know how the study of an artist or a specific work by an artist can reveal mountains of information the casual viewer will never see or understand for what is "really" in the art.

Two examples of that type of content are revealed in Trinity V2.  The cherries (in life they are air freshners) refer to a famous work by Kurt Schwitters and The Cherry Picture.  In addition to the use of the cherries, Trinity V2  uses collage which is a process Schwitters is famous for using.

The other reference is the geometric element at the top which is a stellated dodecahedron.  Tom was on a trip to Italy and saw this figure in a tile floor by Paolo Ucello in St. Mark's Cathedral.  Tom has used this form not only as an element in paintings and collages but has constructed entire paintings on frames which go together as this geometric form.

S.H.I.E.L.D. - Tom Dimond - 2013

30" x 22" - mixed media

S.H.I.E.L.D. is a collage painting.  I use the double term as there is about a 50-50 mix of paint and collage materials.  The beautiful and serene symmetry which Tom often uses is very present and the large black form draws you in. As you approach the work for closer inspection you see that hiding under paint and thick layers of mediums and papers are other possibly more familiar and recognizable images.  Spend some time looking at the large black element.  Put it together in your mind.  What is it?  I'll share that later on but hiding under the paint are panels from comic books.  

Each panel from the comics has had the text removed and parts of the images are obscured.  You are ask to "fill in the blank".  What is the story"  Is there a story?  Is it enough to enjoy the relationships of the images, marks, textures, colors?  For me the answer is absolutely.  That is one of the joys of contemporary art.  Tom is and has been a fan of comic art for his entire life.  He knows all of the classic characters and more importantly he knows the artists who created them and brought them to life.  Their inclusion in his work is not a hollow exercise.  These images are part of his creative body of knowledge, his art vocabulary.

Reaching Out - Tom Dimond - 2013

30" x 22" - mixed media

Reaching Out was created during the same time span as S.H.I.E.L.D.   You likely recognize the black element from Shield only in a different configuration.  These look like little faces staring with their big eyes and smiling or frowning.  Have you figured it out.  Tom walks and during his walks he became aware of small metal disks on the street that had been mashed.  He has a little jar filled with them.  They are the metal end caps from old style fluorescent light tubes.  Who knew?  By scanning, simplifying and enlarging them they have been morphed into tribal masks, little people, entities far removed from their manufactured origin.

Reaching Out - Tom Dimond - detail - 2013

30" x 22"

Reaching Out is named for the hand that appears at the upper center of the piece.  It is the hand of one of Tom's favorite characters - Silver Surfer.  Silver Surfer brings an entire history to the piece and I know there are people who recognize him and other characters that are making appearances in Tom's current work.  It is just another way people can enjoy these complex works of art. 

The work continues to move ahead.  More painting.  More collage.  More layers.  Tom's studio reveals his concerns, thoughts, process.  Things hang and are out for study.

Tom in his sunroom studio.

This work along with my work are on view in Paper, Paint and Fiber at the The Art Center in Clemson SC until Wednesday, June 15, 2016.  Tom is presenting demonstration/workshop June 11 at the Art Center. For more information and to register: click here

Paint, Paper and Fiber - Tom Dimond and Terry Jarrard-Dimond

Vortex - Terry Jarrard-Dimond - 2014

12.5" x 13"

fabric, dye, powdered charcoal, string, stitching

Thursday evening May 26th, 2016 was the reception for the two person exhibition, Paint, Paper and Fiber featuring my work and the work of Tom Dimond.  We want to thank everyone who came out as well as the staff of the Art Center of Clemson SC.  You made the evening!

In addition to having an opportunity to talk with individuals about the work both Tom and I gave a gallery talk.  Gallery talks are such a treat for artists as it is a chance to share some of what happens in an artists' studio and how the work is brought into fruition.

Actually, just having the work hanging on white walls, nicely arranged and well lit is a treat and I find it to be a time to re-evaluate how my body of work is developing.  (I hope my work will always be 'developing'.)

Evidence of Life - Terry Jarrard-Dimond - 2016

10" h x 7"w

Oil/Cold Wax on oil paper

My contribution to the show was new encaustic and oil/cold wax paintings and fiber pieces which spanned perhaps a five year period.  I am pleased to say that my art vocabulary was clearly evident throughout all of this work.  My love of mark-making, smudges, shape and clear composition are some of the aspects I value in my art.  Perhaps the most notiable differences between the paintings and the fiber work was the color palette and the scale of the work.  Most of the fiber pieces feature a neutral color palette while most of my paintings are colorful and varied.  My paintings at this point are also small with the largest pieces piece being 12" x 12" and the largest fiber piece is 50"h x 34"w.  Learning how to work small has been a challenge but I am beginning to develop a feeling for this new small scale work but intend to work larger in time.

Valley Scape - Terry Jarrard-Dimond - 2016

6"h x 9"w

Oil/Cold Wax on oil paper

My art is developed during the process of making the work.  I do not begin with detail sketches or plans but rather I begin with a feeling of where I want to go. If the work offers me an interesting and different path I often choose that unknown direction and my willingness to allow the work to direct me is a big part of why I keep making art.  The excitement of seeing the work come together is my "runners high".  It is the light at the end of a tunnel.  The sunrise after a dark night.  It is finding my way through a dark forest.  This may sound overly dramatic but this is how I experience the resolution of a successful piece.  I get excited. Sometimes I am relieved.  Art is a demanding endeavor but it is this process of discovery that I seek when working.

A few weeks ago I wrote about artist Tom Stanley's show at Hampton III Gallery in Greenville SC.  Stanley described his process of developing work as  "call and response".  This description really rang true to me.  As artist works we make choices which results in "something" happening.  It might be something good or not so good but either way we must respond. This process continues until we find the work we were looking for OR we find something quit new which propels us forward.

My experience with fiber is built of years of working in that medium.  I have a certain comfort level with that medium but my experience with paint, regardless of the specific type of paint, is less developed. At this point I am thrilled to see myself in this new medium.  My marks.  My shapes.  My layering.  My preference for specific spacial relationships etc.  My job with paint is to be open to the possibilities and enjoy the experience.

Check back in on Wednesday May 1st 2016 for my thoughts on the work of Tom Dimond.

Tom Dimond - Etherredge Gallery - University of South Carolina Aiken

Undone - Tom Dimond

November 1 marked the opening of an exhibition of new work by Tom Dimond at the Etherredge Art Gallery on the campus of the University of South Carolina Aiken, Aiken SC.  The show features Tom's newest work.  The show runs through December 18th.  Click HERE for more information about directions and gallery schedule.

As an artist it is always interesting to see how other artists progress in their work.  Tom is my husband so I have immediate access to his work.  A few years ago he began to explore alternative techniques to develop and discover new images and new ways to "get into" his ideas.  The work here represents his continuing exploration.

Spinner - Tom Dimond

Artist Statement

    My approach to painting is based on a need to establish a communication between my inner consciousness and the primary elements of art. The geometric figures and interplay between positive and negative forms reflect this dialogue between the inner and outer consciousness.

    Oftentimes certain color relationships or textures observed in the natural environment while hiking in the forests and along the shorelines of the lakes of South Carolina or the marks of man in the environment may trigger or influence choices made during the creative process. I feel that my paintings represent a synthesis between certain aspects of the visual environment and the intellectual and emotional responses encountered in the creative process of painting itself.

Undone - Tom Dimond

About two years ago I began exploring various techniques and materials that I have been layering together and combining with a mixture of mediums. How this happens varies somewhat but I can tell you that I combine free flowing gestural marks with watercolor, acrylic monoprints on Japanese papers, inkjet transfers of drawings, found objects, comic pages, watercolor washes, various acrylic mediums such as gloss medium, crackle paste, block out medium and gum arabic. All of the work is done on watercolor paper.

A Good Spot - Tom Dimond

This show includes work from two different series. One is The Pictograph series and the second is concerned with more urban environments. The work in The Pictograph series are all titled after archeological sites around the world that contain cave paintings and prehistoric rock carvings. These pieces contain imagery that is sometimes buried under layers of acrylic mediums that make reference to the natural conditions in which the paintings and carvings exist. I have used monoprints and mandala imagery to suggest images found in these sites. These paintings range in size from 30 x 22 to 20 x 14.

The most recent work employs monoprint transfers, gestural marks with watercolor, large areas of block out, watercolor washes and various imagery from comic books. These works are meant to be suggestive of urban walls; sizes vary from 30 x 22 to 20 x 14.

To see more of Tom's work visit : http://tomdimond.com

Playing Catch Up

I just read a blog by Lynn Krawczyk that I totally understood.  Her blog is Smudged Textiles Studio . Lynn expressed her realization that she needed to relax about her blog and I get it.

This summer has been a real test of my ability to juggle lots of commitments.  All of them good and from different areas of my life but a few weeks ago I found I just couldn't keep up and needed to let a few things go.  My blog was one of those things.

During this break (which will continue at least until Sept. 29) I realized I've said about all I have to say on many of topics.  I still enjoy sharing what I am working on and always enjoy posting about artists I've discovered or known for years but I've decided that I need to be more relaxed about writing an article during weeks when I'd rather be doing something else.  Done.

Next week I will be teaching at Nancy Crow's Timberframe Barn and hope to share some of that week with you.

Exploration/Evidence, my work and work by Tom Dimond, is still up at Greer Campus of Greenville Tech and Riverworks in Greenville and I invite you to drop by.  The two shows are well hung and I loved the choices the two galleries made as to what to hang.

See you soon and...

Thanks for spending time at

Studio 24-7.

Exploration/Resolution - Tom Dimond and Terry Jarrard-Dimond

Continuum - Tom Dimond

Exploration/Resolution is now open and features my recent textile work and recent mixed media painting of my husband, Tom Dimond.  The show is being presented at two sites, Greenville Technical College and Riverworks Gallery in downtown Greenville, SC and in the Visual and Performing Arts Department galleries on the Greer Campus of Greenville Technical College.  

Obon - Terry Jarrard-Dimond

Both Tom and I will be giving a gallery talk at the Greer Campus on Thursday, August 28 at 4:30 p.m.  We will also be on hand for First Friday, September 5 at Riverworks Gallery 6-8pm.  The exhibition and gallery talk are free and open to the public.

***

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Passport to The Arts - Clemson, SC

This past weekend I  participated in an event called Passport to the Arts.  The evening is structured as a tour which visited 4 exhibits, one at Clemson University and 3 around the town of Clemson.  This fun adventure is sponsored by The Center for Visual Arts/ Lee Gallery, Clemson University, The Arts Center, The City of Clemson City Hall and Clemson Area Transit Authority.

Passport holders can begin at any of the 4 venues, have a glass of wine and appetizers, view an exhibition and when they are ready to move to the next venue they catch a bus which arrives every 15 minutes.  In addition to the art, each stop featured entertainment and some other experience.  Example:  At Lee Hall  we were invited to choose our favorite work and write a brief statement as to why we choose that work.  Our statement (unsigned) was posted next to the selected piece and we were awarded a homemade cupcake.  Tasty.

The music at the different locations ranged from jazz to classical and was well received.  In addition to this entertainment there was entertainment on each bus.  We rode with a saxophone player and twice with a poet.  We head there was a magician and a comedian on other buses.  

Book 1 - Tom Dimond

Mixed Media Painting

First Place Award - Clemson Artists Guild Exhibition

Tom and I were well represented in the exhibits for this tour as we were part of the Couples Show at the Clemson City Hall and the Artists Guild of Clemson show where Tom was awarded the First Place Award.  

The other two exhibitions were the Clemson National Print and Drawing Show at Lee Hall and an invitational show by Judy Verhoeven and Stan Dubose at the Clemson Area Transit facility.  

If you are involved in promoting the arts in your area I highly recommend this as a format you might consider for a fun evening.  I believe this was a fund raiser.  Each venue was responsible for providing the refreshments and the event had great corporate support from: Oconee Medical Center, Duke Energy, Kevin Whitaker Chevrolet Cadillac, Genesis, Palmetto Spirits, Wells Fargo, The Willis Candela Group, and Sign-A-Rams.

Note:  The town of Clemson has undergone a huge transformation since we moved here in 1975.  The entire commercial part of the town has been in the process of revitalization for several years and we have a very nice/new City Hall and transit facility.  In fact I'm told that the CAT building is a sort of model for energy efficiency and it's handsome as well.

So grab your Passport and get out and see some art in your town.  Hurry or you might miss the bus.

***

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where I always keep my bags packed and my passport

handy when it comes to Art.

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Keeping and Eye On Things

Framed

I'm up in Auburn, New York for a few days teaching a new class titled Line As Language and participating in the opening events for Quilts=Art=Quilts at the Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center so I thought I'd just share a photo I took last weekend.  Tom installed a beautiful new wall of shelving in the studio.  You can see him sanding outside looking in through the window.  I look forward to filling them with all the things that collect in a workspace: books, small tools, stacks of paper, jars of pencils, boxes of markers, packing supplies, cloth, brushes, did I say books? etc.

See you next week!

***I made it home Sunday evening and the flights were all jammed with people trying to get
out of the path of SANDY.

I am thinking of all my friends in the Northeast who will be dealing with this huge storm.
Stay safe. 

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Abstract Art In South Carolina 1949-2012

Tom Dimond - pictured with one of his painting.  You can

just see a bit of the second on the left.

Abstract Art In South Carolina 1949-2012

This week marked the opening of a beautiful exhibition at the South Carolina State Museum in Columbia, SC.  The exhibition features paintings and sculpture created by artists who have been instrumental in the development and appreciation of this approach to making art.  Most, but not all, have taught in university, college or museum art programs and all have pursued active studios.

I was very pleased when Tom's work was selected to be included as he has dedicated his art life to abstract art and teaching.  In addition to teaching painting at Clemson University and having an extensive list of exhibitions, Tom was the gallery director of the Rudolph E. Lee Gallery for many years and curated numerous exhibitions of artists from South Carolina as well as artists from across the US and Europe.  

As I walked through the exhibition viewing the work it was like a meeting of old friends.  While I did not know ALL the artists personally I knew most of them by their work and was pleased to see work by some of the younger artists I don't know or know as well.

Forty artists were exhibited for this show including John Acorn, Clemson; Carl Blair, Sharon Campbell, Betty Lee Coburn, Janet Dreskin, Tom Flowers, Paul Yanko, Enid Williams and Phil Whitley all from the Upstate.  There is a slide-show of work HERE but it does not show work by all the artists.

I haven't taken an inventory of where the people in the show were born or where they studied but as a native of South Carolina I am pleased to say there are a number of people in the show who were born in the state.  One of the most outstanding of that group is Merton Simpson.  I plan to do a post of him soon and hope you'll come back and read his interesting story.

My one disappointment was what seemed to me as low attendance for the reception.  Due to the drive back home we didn't stay until the end of the evening and I'm hoping there were many late comers.  If you are in the area and want to see a strong selection of abstract work, I suggest you swing on by the museum.  The show will be on view through August 26, 2012.

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Evidence + Exploration = Resolution Opens

The opening reception for Evidence + Exploration = Resolution was Friday evening at The Arts Center in Greenwood, SC. I'm pictured above with my work, Plus Blue.

It was really great to see work, mine and the work of my co-exhibitiors Tom Dimond and Sydney A. Cross, installed in such a beautiful environment.

Each of us spoke briefly about our work and what, content, technique and our thoughts on the title of the show.

Syd is pictured here in front of a huge bank of windows and beside the beautiful reception table. The Arts Center is a repurposed Federal Building on Main Street and it is beautiful.

Syd is a printmaker and has taught her medium at Clemson University for many years. Much of her work in this show focused on cultural issues and issues dealing with endangered animal species.

I am shown here in front of Personal Space which is one of my newest works developed using surface design techniques. I am one of those people who talks with their hands and blinks just as the camera clicks. The image demonstrates those two habits nicely ;-)

We had a good attendance at the reception and we all enjoyed talking with the guests. It was a very friendly and welcoming community of art supporters.

This installation is a little tight but I loved seeing the relationship between my small work on the left and one of Syd's prints on the right.

This is a nice grouping of Syd's prints over the title of the show. I congratulate Jennifer Smith and all the staff for doing a beautiful job arranging and installing the show. Designing and installing a show by three different artists working in three different mediums can be a big challenge and Jennifer met that challenge. I heard many compliments on her behalf.

The three pieces on the right are by Tom and one of my works is to the left. In years past we have had several shows together but then we took a break. Last year we showed at USC Upstate in Spartanburg, SC and now in E+E=R. It has been lots of fun and we hope to do more.

I invite you all to drop by The Arts Center and show our show which will be up until

To read more about the concept behind this show click HERE.

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New Monoprints

Collaboration - Tom Dimond and Terry Jarrard-Dimond

watercolor, acrylic, ink jet transfers, crackle paste and more!

2011

My recent article The Start of A Family Tradition shared the great experience we had as a family monoprinting for several hours. I mentioned a couple of prints I want to share with you now.

Tom has been exploring mixed media for a couple of years and is really on a streak and making some exciting work. The piece pictured above is a collaboration using a work which he began with layers of watercolor, acrylic paint, ink jet transfers and crackle paste. The images that "float" on the surface are monoprints I made during the holiday "print-fest". These prints were made on a very think chinese paper with acrylic paint and applied to the surface Tom has created using gloss acrylic medium. The one on top was applied with the printed image face down and the image on the bottom was applied face up. This allowed us to feature more texture in the first piece and more color in the second.

Touching - Terry Jarrard-Dimond

monoprinted and overprinted with acrylic paint on textured paper

2011

This small piece is a print I created during that same session. It is acrylic paint on a textured paper and was printed twice. The paint was applied onto a small sheet of acrylic and then printed. You have to work fast as the paint dries very fast. I think this is great because you have to respond quickly. Tom has already matted and framed both of these pieces with beautiful ash frames he made. God bless you Tom ;-) Read more about our upcoming exhibition, Exploration + Evidence = Resolution.

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Three Artists - Evidence + Exploration = Resolution

Personal Space - Terry Jarrard-Dimond

hand dyed, hand painted, and Mono-printed fabric

machine pieced, turned edge applique, machine quilted

42"h x 60"w - 2012

"Creativity is just connecting things. When you ask creative people how they did something, they feel a little guilty because they didn't really do it, they just saw something. It seemed obvious to them after a while. That's because they were able to connect experiences they've had and synthesize new things." ~ Steve Jobs

Evidence + Exploration = Resolution opens next month at The Arts Center in Greenwood, SC and features paintings by Tom Dimond, prints by Sydney A. Cross and my textile constructions. I'm very pleased to be part of this show not only because Tom is my husband and Sydney one of my best friends, but because they are accomplished and respected artists who have followed their passion for art for many years.

Valmonica - Tom Dimond

watercolor, acrylic, ink jet transfer, monotype,collage on paper

27"h x 20"w - 2011

As we began to plan for this show we discussed what the mutual interest was that connected our work. This is the statement which describes that connection.

The three artists in this exhibition have found their own unique solutions for presenting evidence of their awareness and the resulting effect of personal experiences, social issues, culture, history, and media on their studio activities. Using various techniques they explore their ideas to create signs and symbols that reflect their resolutions to these influences. Viewers of the exhibition will find evidence of this synthesis in the rich variety of works on display.

Many if not most of the world religions and philosophies will say that we are all connected. I like that thought and this show is centered around the idea that despite our efforts as individual artists, there is a common bond and a connection.

Really, I Insist - Sydney Cross

screenprint with hand-colored matrix

11"h x 13"w - 2011

The show runs from January 30 to February 25th at The Arts Center which is located at 120 Main Street in Greenwood, SC. The hours are 8:30 - 5pm Monday - Friday and 9:30 - 1:30 on Saturdays.

There is a reception Friday the 3rd of February from 6-8pm and you are invited. For more information you can contact the museum at 864-953-2462.

More information is available at:http://www.emeraldtriangle.sc/ArtsCouncil/Gallery.aspx

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PIECED TOGETHER Opens at USC Upstate

Reunion - Tom Dimond

August 19th marked the opening of Pieced Together, an exhibition of work by my husband, Tom Dimond and myself. This is the first time we have exhibited together in many years.

The exhibition is at the Curtis R. Harley Art Gallery on the campus of the University of South Carolina Upstate and will run through September 23.

Tom and I are have chosen to present work in this exhibition which showcases some of the new ideas, materials and processes we have been exploring. While Tom is best known for his large acrylic geometric abstractions, he has recently been working on paper with mixed media and has incorporated some subtle imagery. Each piece has numerous layers of color, marks, and printed imagery. The structure of the work is inspired by tile patterns designed by the Florentine artist Paollo Uccello. The work is developed in layers, cut apart and resembled. Additional layers are often added at this point.

Nude in the Dark - Terry Jarrard-Dimond

The work I have chosen include works that incorporate the use of dye-painting, monoprinting, pieceing, applique and stitching. This body of work is the result of my desire to have numerous ways to manipulate fabric and dye. The approach to the development of this work has been what I call natural expression. For me this simply means allowing yourself the freedom to explore and experience the pure joy of the creative process.

Tom and I are looking forward to Thursday, Sept 15 at 4:30 pm when we will each give an Artist Talk in the gallery. You are invited and there is a reception following the talks!

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Tom Dimond: Reinventing the GRID

Trinity V2

Watercolor - 30" x 22"

Tom Dimond is a dedicated painter who just happens to me my husband. We met in 1968 when he came to Winthrop College (now Winthrop University) in Rock Hill, SC to teach. He was still finishing up his MFA from the University of Tennessee and I worked with him to complete some work for his thesis exhibition. We have been a team ever since.

Tom with Monet's Waterlilies

Tom has always been an inspiration to me. His work is both beautiful and sophisticated and while trends and movements have come and gone over the years, he has remained committed to his work and the ideas behind his formidable body of work. He has an amazing ability to recall the names and work of artists he sees, knows or reads about. He has always been a great source of information for me as well as the many students he taught during his tenure at Clemson University. Tom was the director of the Rudolph E. Lee Gallery in the College of Architecture, Art, and Humanities for 15 years before his equally long tenure as Professor of Art / Painting.

Tom Dimond - Interview

Terry: How did you discover that you have art skills and what prompted you to follow art as a career?

Tom: From a very early age (7 or 8 yrs. old) I was intrigued by a special puzzle in the comic section of the Sunday paper. It involved reproducing a series of short lines by code into a grid with the end result being a fairly common image. Later as a young teenager I reproduced a photograph of a baseball player using the same technique and graphite pencils. It was truly an AH HA moment for me. I had always exchanged letters with a school friend of mine during the summer months and we would both decorate the envelope with trompe l'oeil images in the manner of MAD magazine. I was encouraged by my family to create drawings and I was fortunate to have art teachers all through elementary to high school. It seemed natural for me to pursue a career as an artist in some way after attending art school in Boston and Knoxville, Tennessee.

Terry: You have had a very specific process for developing your ideas for some years. Would you please talk about this process: how it developed, how it supports your ideas or perhaps how it ignites ideas?

Work in progress.

Tom: I have always used the grid as a way of beginning a painting. Early on in art school in Boston my surroundings and other artists heavily influenced me. Boston was a city full of signage. One day while walking I came upon some workmen carrying a section of a large sign that was to be installed on top of a building in Copley Square. Taken out of context the image was very abstract and it gave me the idea of creating grids and filling them with sections of letters and abstract shapes in a non-legible manner. Through the years this idea became the seed for a long series of images based upon circles on a grid, with various complexities.

Naidon Laulu

Acrylic - 60" x 48"

Terry: How do you know when you are on the right path with a piece?

Tom: When I begin to discover something I have never encountered before within this very narrow construct of themes. Sometimes I will go for months pondering the next step and suddenly while doing something mundane a new twist will pop into my head and there I go.

Reunion 2010 B

Mixed Media - 30" x 22"

Terry: What are you currently exploring in your work?

Tom: Some years ago while on a study tour of Italy with students I found myself in Venice staring at the most fantastic marble tile piece on the floor of the Cathedral of St. Mark by the Venetian artist, Paolo Uccello. At approximately the same time back in South Carolina, I happened upon a discarded car air freshener in the image of three cherries. Eventually I put the two items together in a series of watercolors (Trinity V2 at top of page). The merging of these two disparate items eventually led me to the work I am currently involved in. I am titling the series Reunion because the images that are being put together are coming from my past and present life experiences and are united together within the Uccello tile piece.

Reunion 2010 E

Mixed Media: 30" x 22"

Terry: What have you found to be the most interesting development in contemporary art during the last 20 years?

Tom: The last 20 years of the 20th century presented widespread acceptance of all media in any form or shape. Artists from all cultures and age groups began to be recognized globally. Mixed media and multiculturism opened up a lot of doors for all artists. It was no longer only painting and sculpture that dominated the art galleries and new forms of expression began to emerge. The blending of high art and low art allowed artists to explore and express new combinations of ideas and images.

Ukkonen

Acrylic - 60" x 48"

Terry: When you look at other artists work, what attracts you? Give us the names of some of the artists you feel are making great work right now and what is it about their art that puts them in this category?

Tom: I have always been attracted to artists that have the same sensibilities as myself. Geometric Abstraction, Pattern Painting, color, texture, irregular shapes, surface tension are all elements that find my gaze. Early in my career Frank Stella, Ad Reinhardt, and Ros Barron were artists that I looked at because of the simplicity of shapes and use of color; later, Terence LaNoue, Ross Bleckner and Charles Seliger provided me with insight into the richness of texture and pattern in painting.

Aldwyth exhibition at College of Charleston, Charleston, SC

Of late, my interest in collage has been inspired by Kurt Schwitters, Aldwyth and most recently the work of Mark Bradford. Of course, there are many more artists who would fill the bill for me, but essentially, the ones I have mentioned continued to pursue their ideas and develop their work along certain personal guidelines within a structured set of ideals. This is basically what I have strived to do in my own studio activities.

Tom working in the Studio.

To see more of Tom's work, visit: http://tomdimond.com

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