Jon Tarleton.com

So You Say

2012-02-13T13:30:00.001-05:00

Johnsoned

2012-02-08T13:46:00.001-05:00

Lidz

2012-02-06T13:27:00.001-05:00

I seem to be zooming out from the figure with each passing drawing. Working with oil pastels isn't really suitable on such a small scale if any level of detail is required, so I plan on reversing that trend; I plan on moving a bit closer to the subject. I still like the concept, though, the juxtaposition of an unidentifiable figure with marks of fairly random design. If I do it well, it provokes contemplation. If I do it badly, it is just blah. Hence, I must do it well.

Pinker

2012-02-03T22:31:00.001-05:00

3 Is the Word

2012-02-03T08:18:00.001-05:00

It is well past time that a bit of figuration worked it's way back into my art. I like this. The goal is to combine figurative or objective imagery with a bit of side-imagery or mark-making to produce a cohesive whole that provokes thought; connections must be made and contemplated by the viewer. That is something I used to push for in my art and it is something I plan on pursuing further now.

Schism

2012-01-28T14:18:00.000-05:00

A little return to the wonderful world of graphs. I see myself bouncing between graph-oriented imagery and looser figurative imagery for awhile. We will see where this goes...somewhere good, I trust.

1.21.12

2012-01-21T18:13:00.000-05:00

1.12.12

2012-01-12T23:47:00.001-05:00

1.9.12

2012-01-10T13:40:00.003-05:00

This is another fairly heavily worked, fluid acrylic on linen paper piece. I seem to be naturally continuing down the path of pseudo-graph making, a sort of faked quantitative art. I need to hash out why I am doing this, how my influences and experiences have gotten me to this point...but right now I will simply add that I dig this direction and foresee delving further into this type of work. I will be getting a couple of canvases back this month, 3'x4' works, that I will develop a bit more than I had originally planned. The immediate focus of my efforts will be to produce works in different scales, up to 4'x5' paintings on canvas.

1.3.12

2012-01-03T14:19:00.001-05:00

Twirl

2011-12-09T16:28:00.001-05:00

This is a little study I'm using to prep as I finalize a couple larger pieces. It's always good to work things out on a small scale before I devote big time and money to a project.

Rebound

2011-12-05T12:49:00.000-05:00

Carnivale

2011-11-18T11:58:00.000-05:00

Split Decision

2011-11-16T10:21:00.003-05:00

This one doesn't have the "flow" I am generally looking for, the indication of some sort of unfolding process as you read it left to right, but I kinda like it. It's something for me to ponder.

Ashes to Ashes

2011-11-14T23:25:00.002-05:00

Ways and Means

2011-11-04T23:32:00.002-04:00

Currently on display at the 50Fifty show at The Wilkes Gallery/

Bloom

2011-10-17T22:01:00.003-04:00

Currently on display at the 50Fifty show at The Wilkes Gallery. This is my first of many forays with this aesthetic into the world of larger scales.

Gimmickry vs. Art, thinking out loud

2011-02-11T19:39:00.000-05:00

How do I differentiate b/t gimmickry and art?

I feel that I make "art" when I am pushing beyond my comfort zone, not settling on a product of my "formula". I've found that I regularly feel like I have finished a piece, then am struck by its emptiness because it is too dry from lack of risk taking, then push it to a point where I am convinced I have blown it, and THEN pull it back together. If I stop at the empty, dry, formulaic stage, then it feels like a gimmick. If I push through the fear, then it feels like art.

Re. others' work, I need to think about it. Maybe it comes down to fear- if I perceive concessions have been made due to fear then it may be a product of gimmickry. If I perceive an artist as having not been governed by fear, it is more likely to have the vital feel of art.

...more to come...this is something I need to ponder...