|
|
|
|
Artist Exhibitions:
Coming Soon!
|
|
Artist Galleries:
Coming Soon!
|
|
Artist Reviews:
Coming Soon!
|
|
Collections:
Coming Soon!
|
|
Commissions:
Coming Soon!
|
|
|
Artist Statement for Clark Bending
|
|
|
Clark Bending
Website: www.clarkbendingart.com
E-Mail: clinkventing@comcast.net
Statement of Artistic Process
I paint my artwork in oil, alkyd oil, acrylic, and gouache paints. The painting surfaces used are canvas, boards, paper, and wood. I paint both in studio and en plein aire. Studio work is about 20% of my work; the balance is en plein aire.
Plein aire painting is very challenging. The weather elements change constantly. Wind, rain, snow, and the light changes the scene constantly. Light, of course, affects how we see. Reflected light causes unexpected color. Things are not necessarily as we perceive. Plein aire painting has taught me lessons in perception versus what we perceive as reality. The grass is not always green; the sky is not always blue and so forth.
In capturing a plein aire scene, I will make a small value study sketch on a 4" x 6" index card (or any other small paper handy). A copy of a recent value study is below. I try to capture shapes, forms, masses and light or dark values. I also try to indicate movement, from wind, waters, trees, clouds, whatever is present. Lastly, I will interpret or adjust color to reflect my feelings on the subject and not necessarily what others perceive.
I find limitless subjects and opportunities all around. The Chicago area is loaded with landscapes, street scenes, and people. Plein aire painting makes most of my work alla prima, all in one session. I have painted numerous subjects this way. Just in case some disaster occurs, I will, if feasible, take reference photos. As I also travel extensively on plein aire outings, I do take many photos for later studio work.
Finally, as we live an a troubled world, I find ideas for painting coming to me about politics, diplomacy, war, terrorism, civil rights, and other subjects. These subjects are the basis of most of my studio work.
|
|
send an email
