From Alice Anne Ellis
The painting (above) I chose from the exhibitions was Ray Kass's “Borrowed View: Bassalian” (watercolor on paper under beeswax, mounted on multiple panels; 2000). This work appeals to me because of its blend of control and accident – control over the finished product, while allowing the medium to create interesting effects on the paper. Each panel shows different textures and effects created by interaction of the paint with paper and other media. The panels meet and intersect precisely, and complement and contrast with each other.
My work is wax, acrylic, ink and graphite on drafter's vellum. It relates to the Ray Kass painting in that I am interested in letting the medium and tools created their own effects under controlled conditions. For instance the “flowers” are made from ink prints of the underside of mushrooms. I like using prints of natural forms.
Alice Anne Ellis
posted by blog master at
7:31 AM
3 Comments:
Ha, this is funny...after viewing the corporate show at the visual arts center I was also most struck by the work of Ray Kass. After speaking with my father about the Reynolds gallery show he mentioned seeing a one man show of Ray Kass work that was curated by Alan Brandt in the 1980's at the VMFA. I was most interested by the mosaic of visually textured canvases assembled into a rectangle space only to discover the work was created by Kass himself. In contrast to his show at the Reynolds gallery I felt that the smoked paper surface was more effective in the work "Borrowed View: Bassalian"...
The watercolor surfaces reminded me of tiles that could be seen in any modern tile showroom. Often time these surfaces attempt to imitate a surface in nature, so I can see the connection with nature in Kass' work. I could even infer that the title 'borrowed view' is referential to nature and the inherent beauty that Kass may perceive while working with nature and the existing elements. I felt many connections with this work and work I have created in my paintings and mosaics. It has even inspired me in some of the directions I have considered with my mixed-media pieces for this class and beyond and I am glad to have seen the work hanging proudly next to two contrasting works by the late, great Richard Carlyon.
Andrew - now that you know how to post, please copy this comment and repost it to the blog email address and include a jpgs of the Kass piece you liked as well as the Carlyon piece. Note - it the jpgs are larger than 2mb blogger won't accept them. Be sure to send "email" scaled jpgs when you post them to blogger! Many thanks!
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