Table for 14 at Gallery 6000
By Tom Wachunas
EXHIBIT: Table for 14 – Still-Life paintings by Kent
Stark Painting I and Painting II Students – THROUGH MAY 6 at Gallery 6000,
Conference Center Dining Room , Kent State University at Stark / 6000 Frank
Avenue NW, North Canton, Ohio
ARTISTS RECEPTION on TUESDAY, APRIL 19,
5:30p.m. – 7:30p.m.
YOU ARE CORDIALLY
COMMANDED…er, uhm, INVITED TO ATTEND
I realize that
this is fairly short notice and beg your indulgence. But I think that this
brief and stunning exhibit – up only until May 6 – warrants the attentions of
my readers - both those among you who might be passionate about painting per
se, and those who can appreciate the necessity and depth of discipline acquired
in “academic” studio arts training.
The works on view
here are by 14 Kent Stark undergraduate students in the Painting I and Painting
II classes taught by Professor Jack McWhorter, a highly accomplished painter,
educator, and Coordinator of the Kent Stark Art Department. The paintings he
selected for this exhibit are, interestingly enough, collectively a perfect subject
matter for Gallery 6000, housed as it is in an elegant dining room. And
further, they electrify the space. The walls really pop. More importantly,
these works are exciting outcomes of the students’ understanding of the
projects assigned to them. I leave you with McWhorter’s words about the
parameters of those projects, and look forward to seeing you at the reception.
“Clarity and expression in painting require
an understanding of the painter’s tools and concepts. The Painting I and
Painting II course teach this information and understanding through a series of
projects, each of which is intended to explore different key painting concepts
involving direct observation and invention. Using acrylic and oil paint,
students develop a body of work that explores issues of color theory, form
through value and tone, and a better understanding of spatial relationships
within the picture plane. Through completion of these projects students achieve
a certain level of proficiency and explore their potential for personal
expression in painting.
Working in class from a large complicated
tableau constructed from cloths, objects and furniture densely packed with many
patterns, textures and colors, students begin by making several small
preparatory drawings. Through these drawings the students investigate the
relative merits of one vantage point over another, selectivity as to inclusions
and exclusions. After making the initial decisions about composition, students
begin their canvas using a palette of warm and cool grays in a grisaille
technique. Further development of these paintings follows demonstrations of
scumbling techniques.
Visual emphasis on physical qualities of paint
and gesture can supersede recognizability of the still life source. I encourage
the students to become sensitive to viscosity of paint and method of
application; to be inventive, daring, innovative, and to experiment with mixing
colors directly on the canvas as well as on the palette. Every angle of the
studio set up gives you split-complementary arrangements. Notice which colors
have punch, and which are more subtle by paying attention to how they mix; the relationship
between the amount of paint used and its tinting power. Paint each time as
though you need to finish the painting during the present session.”
- Jack McWhorter
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