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| Rick Vian |
The abstract painter is held to the same rules of
construction as a representational one but doesn't have the luxury of an
obvious subject to lean on to compose and create a space. I'm generally
suspicious of an artist who uses loads of paint to persuade the viewer the work
has value. Here, Rick Vian uses heavily textured layers to add depth to his
magically lit, rollicking descriptions of trees, water, fire. The grids he's
introduced in this series seem to hold back the furious brushstrokes from
leaping off the canvas. Glimpses of his subjects are expertly revealed in
mindful compositions. It's the emotional blast of color that really knocks me
out. This is what the Expressionists were aiming for.
Btw, the second issue of DDEAF comes out next week. I'm thrilled to be asked back as an art contributor. This time it's local sensation Scott Northrup. Hope y'all like it.
*post-script: DDEAF comes out online first week of December. Print January 1.
