Paper Geisha

Well its good to be back on the blog. I have neglected this thing for awhile and its time to get new stuff posted. My little hiatus has been good. I have, however, been sucked into the "digital darkside" and I started using photoshop to "paint." It's has been a nice switch, as you can change things so much faster as you go and move through a variety of scenarios for each image. I will still be posting oils but those will be nestled in between many kinds of digital work. Since I am just getting back into the groove of the blog I will just post my first digi-painting, since my art school days, and see what everyone thinks.

More art to come . . . at a quicker pace I promise.

The top image is the color scheme I created the geisha in. As I wrapped it up, I felt that it should be monochromatic and a bit weathered, so I generated a variety of color palettes to look at so I could best imbue the geisha with a more appropriate feel. The bottom image was the one I ended up going with.

First of '07






This is my latest painting. It is oil on canvas like 28"x44". I have grown more and more fond of painting at around this size, and I can move through them with more ease, technically and conceptually. I like areas of total abstraction and of course the figure is my subject most of the time, and there should be areas on the figure that are shapes and colors and, up close, just marks as opposed to being strict representational interpretations. I am trying to align my work with more modern concepts, because that is at the root of what painting should be about, beyond simply the technical brilliance (thanks JOE), it must leave a taste in the mouth of the viewer.

On a related note, with the inception of personal handheld technology to aid artists and its massive development in the last twenty years, I feel oil painting is in a process of finding its place in an art world where anything goes. I certainly feel that with my self and my work as of late, but that is a topic for another day. Oil painting, because of its natural relationships to the past (archaic) and the fact that it has been the dominant medium in art for hundreds of years, will stuggle at times for place and purpose in our ever digitized culture. It is the classic "revolt" against what is perceived as the establishment syndrome, so oil painting is taking a bit of a beating right now. However, I believe it will always maintain its place as one of a number of ways to bring an idea to fruition. Digital media is also quicker ( typically) and that is all apart of our culture as well. Everything instantly and results oriented.

This being said, I really like what artists are doing digitally, envious at times, and that it is one more tool in the box for a creative person to use, which is brilliant. The more possiblities for creativity the greater the spectrum of ideas. At times I feel archaic with oils and at others times exalted, the truth lies somewhere in between.

Thinking people . . . . . . . more people thinking, regardless.

The Joe I am referring to above is a fellow artist who does sumptuos work, go see him at www.josephacross.blogspot.com.

A geisha study, because . . . . . well . . . . .I like. Gouache again.
If samarais and zen is your thing go see Mark Bailey's blog, he does it up good, and many other thngs as well.

www.markandrewbailey.blogspot.com

We have had some great storms roll through the Northwest this week and watching them unfold on the city has been inspiring. My studio looks right across the Willametter River that splits Portland in two, giving me a sweet view of Downtown and the West Hills. As these big storms roll over the hill and unleash their fury, I have a front row view to these massive cloudbanks. They remind me of how little we are in this world and that we should do what makes us happy, daily.

However, this morning was clear and this was the scene that greeted me. Pretty stunning. Now that should give you your fill of Oregon today. This is the first installment of my new series titled "This Day in Oregon." Plenty more to come considering this is part one of my 3500 part series of "This Day in Oregon." Won't you join me for the other installments.

Well, it has been almost two weeks since I last posted anything new. After my Open Studio I have had a little down time, which has been easy to get into, especially with the holidays, and everyone seems to be able to find a little more free time than they normally would. Holiday parties, family gatherings, all that stuff has been fun. But now its back to work, I 've got plenty to get done before Christmas so time to crack the whip. My time has been very good for creativity and with every transition my work always takes new twists, so this gestation period has really let my ideas marinate.

These two little paintings I will post as filler before I delve into what's on the easel. But what's on the easel will have to wait since I have a few things in the works and want them completely finished before I put them on here.

What's white on white look like? Thats what I was thinking. Unknown animal skull.

MORE FROM THE SHOW, PART 3

MORE FROM THE SHOW, PART 2

OPEN STUDIO SHOW, PART 1








Hi Everyone,

I wanted to thank all of you who came by my studio. It was very good to meet many of you and hear what you had to say about all things art. You are all invited back! For those of you who were not able to make it, here are the studies I had on display. Some of them you will recognize from earlier posts on the blog. All images are in between an 8"x10" to a 11"x14" .

If you are intersted in purchasing one of these items please give me a call at 971.219.7588 or jobaflint@yahoo.com. If you like a piece but want a closer look I could email you a higher resolution image. Each one is framed with archival materials and is behind UV coated glass. Shipping is free.

More good stuff soon to come your way.

Here are a few shots of what my creative space looked liked this last weekend for the Open Studio Exhibition, for those of you who weren't here or couldn't make it. Yes, there were actual people stopping by all night, which I failed to get pictures of. Over 300 people visited the Towne Storage building on the night, and I would say, that I either met or greeted over 100 who came through my door. Overall it was a good night and if you came I hope you enjoyed the shows. This was the first event of its kind and with this type of reception I am sure there will be more.

Hi Everyone,

I wanted to give you an idea of the type of work that will be on display at my OPEN STUDIO EXHIBITION this Saturday evening, from 6:30-9:30pm. These works are my studies and sketches that I do on a regular basis. Each one lets me work with ideas and concepts that I am exploring. Some move on to become finished paintings while some only reach this preliminary stage. I really enjoy moving through an idea (fairly) quickly and often times these spontaneous works, I think, are better than a final painting. There is an immediacy that can't be replicated in a larger work, and that kind of honest application is what creativity is all about. So I do consider these paintings and drawings little gems.

I will be posting all of them soon, and they will be made available to purchase online after the opening on Saturday Nov. 18th. If you would like information about pricing get a hold of me via email at jobaflint@yahoo.com or call 971.219.7588. Each piece is framed with archival materials in the style displayed in the above image. I will list sizes when I post them all later but most are from 8"x10" to 14"x18", in that range at varying sizes. I am using gouache mostly but some are mixed media.

Hope to see you all here.

STUDIOFLINT: 17 SE 3rd Avenue, Suite #312, Portland, Oregon. Right by the eastside of the Burnside bridge.

Best,
Joshua Flint

A small quick sketch with an ink brush, that could very well turn out to be a larger painting. Stay Tuned!

Untitled (as of now, that may change)
30"x40" oil on canvas

Perception is a unique thing. Personal yet universal, individual and collective. It changes over time but memory can link us to that past state of mind.

This painting will be on display at my upcoming Open Studio Exhibition, NOV 18th 6:30-9:30pm. Come on down.

oil, 11"x14"

As creative souls I wanted to invite all of you to go to the homepage of the BBC, www.bbc.com, and look to you left on the side bar for a link title 'In Pictures'. Click there and then you will see many options to view images from around the globe. Click on the images from the day, and you will get a small series of daily life photos from around the globe that are absolutely stunning, These photographers are such amazing artists. It brings me a little insight into the world around me like no newspaper article ever could. I am a visual person, and thus I react greater to them then words. It also has a wonderful way of grounding me in my world and feeling connected in a way I never thought possible. The world is only getting smaller, and there is so much wonder out there which by far outways the negativity that is spewn at us US citizens via the corporate run media. Embrace that people, the world is getting smaller and its a good thing, because it all looks pretty brilliant to me. Maybe you will learn something new or realize something you never had before.

Enjoy!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/default.stm

Title: Radiance.
Size: 30"x40" on canvas.

A painting I finished earlier in the year, but I have yet to put it up on my 'official' website at joshuaflint.com. I figured I would show it here, since this is where its, at as of late. The blog is rolling right along. Hope you all are enjoying the images, and please tell a friend who likes art to come check out my work. Greater discourse is always encouraged.

Here is a very abbreviated look at my process for a painting titled Storyteller, 24"x30" canvas. I often change up my approach for every new painting, and that allows me to adjust to the work as it develops.I talked about "dialogue" in an earlier post and that's why I feel its important that each piece takes on its own character. I have things figured out in my head but its the translation that matters with each piece.



Here I am figuring out composition, light and shadow and have left it monochrome because I am still weighing up how I want to use color. What do I want to leave out or perhaps emphasize is a question I ask myself at this stage.



With this next phase I am just getting a feeling for the space around the figure, setting the stage so to speak. I am finding my color now and I am interested in how it will react on its own and in relation to the figure.



Now its mostly about the figure at this stage. There still is a lot of pushing and pulling to do with the color and their respective values in the entire painting, not just the figure. If you compare it to the final, a post you will see if you scroll down there are differences between the painting at this stage and the final completed version. Albeit they are subtle especially around the face.

As for the meaning and concept of the piece, I leave that up to the viewer. I have my interpretation and understanding and reason behind the art, but it will be different for everyone. If things are ambiguous, great. I am trying to stop someone to think about whats in front of them. The art of painting I'll even admit is a bit antiquated for our modern day, and how everything is digital and instant, but thats why I like it.

This run down of my process is brief, but the creative process is what its all about. Once the things done I usually want it out of my face. Don't get me wrong I like them, they are like my children, but I have learned what I have learned and it is time to move on, with the next idea.

Don't forget the open studio event on November 18th. Here you will get an even better glimpse into my work and the thoughts I have that don't always go on to be completed works.Hope to see you here.

Open Studio Event

I will be opening up my studio for a a one night showing on NOVEMBER 18th from 6:30 - 9:30 PM. On view will be a few new paintings and tons of smaller studies and sketches, in oil and goauche. I hope to see you here. More details will be announced the closer the date to the show. Any questions email me at jobaflint@yahoo.com or call 971.219.7588.

I'll post a map and official announcement later on, so keep checkin back. Thanks for your support.

Just some sketches today . . . . . . . .

Free Association Sketching . . . . . . . . always interesting.