This image is evolving for me every second. Isn't it wonderful for something evidently flat on the page to not only have so much dimensional character but movement. My eyes went first for a second only at the darkness, but for me it is not a void and certainly may illustrate the momentous character of your quote about a grain of sand. The bubbling rises; it does not descend into a depth. The broken ice I see or imagine surrounding the central chaos reminds me of my lake view in the winter. I live in blizzard country and see the lake changing day by day, if not minute by minute. You certainly see that movement here; nothing is static. The metaphor of a web is good if it is understood as ever-changing, because webs are often symmetric, and, of course, this is not because it is moving; the shapes glide into each other. Then I read your description of the work that went into this, and I find you were working with a spider web that you miraculously ballooned. I'm sure you know about magical realism in literature. Well, this is magical realism in art.
Laurie, what a wonderful and incisive comment! And a high compliment coming from an accomplished artist like you. Thank you for taking so much time to look deeper and notice more. You’ve given me a lot to think about.
As with most of your work, the multi-layering here does its job. What I like about this piece is the simplicity of the subject matter. Your technical prowess continues to expand, Steve. As always, a conversation about your process is appreciated. And, of course, my stories are inspired by artwork or photographs that stretch the boundaries--which yours do in spades! Nice work, Steve.
wow...very very interesting, rushing out but will look longer later!!!
Thanks Judy, I’m eager to hear your reactions once you’ve taken a deeper dive.
This image is evolving for me every second. Isn't it wonderful for something evidently flat on the page to not only have so much dimensional character but movement. My eyes went first for a second only at the darkness, but for me it is not a void and certainly may illustrate the momentous character of your quote about a grain of sand. The bubbling rises; it does not descend into a depth. The broken ice I see or imagine surrounding the central chaos reminds me of my lake view in the winter. I live in blizzard country and see the lake changing day by day, if not minute by minute. You certainly see that movement here; nothing is static. The metaphor of a web is good if it is understood as ever-changing, because webs are often symmetric, and, of course, this is not because it is moving; the shapes glide into each other. Then I read your description of the work that went into this, and I find you were working with a spider web that you miraculously ballooned. I'm sure you know about magical realism in literature. Well, this is magical realism in art.
Great work, Steve.
Laurie Hollman
Laurie, what a wonderful and incisive comment! And a high compliment coming from an accomplished artist like you. Thank you for taking so much time to look deeper and notice more. You’ve given me a lot to think about.
As with most of your work, the multi-layering here does its job. What I like about this piece is the simplicity of the subject matter. Your technical prowess continues to expand, Steve. As always, a conversation about your process is appreciated. And, of course, my stories are inspired by artwork or photographs that stretch the boundaries--which yours do in spades! Nice work, Steve.