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 Stanley - Slide Script Paintings

Chain, Chain, Chain - Tom Stanley

acrylic and collage on canvas - 1992

13.75" x 21.74"

This past Saturday I had the wonderful experience of sitting with a circle of friends, collectors and artists to participate in Coffee and Conversation with Tom Stanley at the Hampton III Gallery in Taylors, SC.  These gatherings are a tradition at the gallery and are hosted by gallery owner and director Sandy Rupp. Seated in the main room surrounded by the artwork, guests have the opportunity to interact with the featured artist.

Tom Stanley is well known in the Southeast and beyond.  I thought I knew his work but I was delighted to see this never before exhibited group of paintings which presented new insights into his studio explorations.

The first works which caught my attention were from a series created in 1992 - 1993.  Works featuring colorful animated figures, iconic shapes, and collage fragments floating in a field of black. Chain, Chain, Chain is from that series.  The style of the work seems to reflect his love of "self-taught" artists work but the composition is flawless and speaks of an artist who is well versed in how to utilize space yet there is nothing self-conscious about that knowledge.  Stanley has actually been a supporter of artists who work outside the framework of education even though he is by profession a teacher and art professional.

Holy Ghost - Tom Stanley

acrylic on canvas - 1992

26" 

Stanley was very generous and shared many stories and insights about the elements contained within his painting.  Often these elements find their way into the work through life experience and over time become an integral part of his art vocabulary.  Some of the elements which were repeated were the profile ( love the profile within a profile in Holy Ghost), ladders, steps, geometric forms and lots of mechanical drawing. He shared he was a mechanical engineer geek when in high school.  Elegant mechanically drawn lines are key to some areas in work from the Profile Across the River series.

Profile Across the River #1 - Tom Stanley

acrylic on 300# arches - 2003-2005

30" x 22"

The mood and form of work from the Profile Across the River series really changes from the earlier work. The palette is more somber and more neutral.  There is one large central figure supported by a few additional elements in front of an intense and richly textured background.  These works were not my favorite on first look but as we talked about the development of the work and the story behind the works my feelings began to change.  I mentioned earlier about the feeling of "self-taught" mixed with well trained elements in this work.  These paintings showcase this combination of approaches  beautifully. Each painting has one huge head balancing on precarious double wheels or on very fragile classical structures.  Each head has what appears to be areas allowing the viewer to see through them into the "night sky".  The pieces tell something of the story of how Stanley's grandfather lost his life.

Profiles en Route to Hamlet #2 - Tom Stanley

acrylic - 1998

22" x 30"

The third series of works from this exhibit is titled Profiles en route to Hamlet and I had a hard time selecting which piece to feature as I loved them all.  Once again we have profiles floating in a dark endless world.  There are slivers of a moon, a skinny ladder going to who knows where, giant plants and the ever present mechanical structures left for your interpretation.  The imagery is developed using sgraffito on layers of acrylic.  Every inch of the surface has the scratches of this very active technique which demands fast decisions and action.  Despite what some might describe as an eerie atmosphere I found the work to be quiet, calm and peaceful.

I encourage you to visit Hampton III and see this fascinating show and be sure to pick up one of the show brochures.  The brochure has a wonderful article on Stanley and his work written by Maria Clare Paulino, Associate Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies at Winthrop University where Stanley is chair of the art department.  If you can't make it to the show be sure and visit the Hampton III Gallery website which has images of all work in the exhibition.