Dutch artist Chris Berens just finished showing the work below (I know I know, sorry, I forgot to post this earlier) at CoproNason in Santa Monica, CA. Muted, yet luminous, his paintings for me conjure the internal places where wonder meets sadness, the stillness where we remember we cannot control everything. 
How’d he do that? Have a look:
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4 comments:
God I so so wish that I could see this work in person. The technique alone is fascinating. I need to read it a few more times to fully understand the steps. I love the animal to human connection. Have you seen The Golden Compass based on the books by Phillip Pullman? (I thought of making a post on it.) There are some interesting similarities which are actually mentioned in Chris Berrans artist statement. 2 similarities being victorian references and animal companions which in the Golden Compass are actually people's souls (called "daemons" ) Each person has their own daemon that is always at their side and w/o it they would die. Check it out, I'm sure the library has it.
Anyways thanks for the post.
Tiersa
Really great Find Melissa. Looking at his website, it is evident that he reached this level of painting by being a prolific painter. I want the painting of a rib cut of beef. so cool.
Yes, the Golden Compass does reference daemons as well—I forgot about that. I guess I have to figure out which animal I am not allergic to discover what mine would be...
PS. Chris is an untrained artist who taught himself by painting over prints of paintings done by the old masters. More on his technique (layering transparent ink paintings) on the video I just attached to the post.
I watched the video. I love the layering of the semi transparent plastic medium, his process, and his seemingly genuine I'm not really an artist humility, yes, yes, yes. Thanks again Meliss for the creative inspiration.
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