Lost & Found

January 2011 TREX visit to ROBERT RUNDLE Elementary School, St. Albert, AB.

2011-01-14T15:15:00.000-08:00

I recently had the opportunity to visit ROBERT RUNDLE Elementary School in St. Albert, AB. I was invited to work with grades fives and sixes, doing a presentation and ART activity in relation to my current travelling show (DIRECTIONS) with the Alberta Foundation for the Arts. I focused on Colour Theory, the Elements of Art and Principles of Design, and talked about Artists and Art Movements in History in relation to the exhibit. The photos above are of student works that were made with coloured felt markers on paper after the presentation. There were both incredible and diverse creations that day! It was a very rewarding experience!

99 Bubbles in Blue, Yellow & Green... Part III

2010-12-24T13:23:00.000-08:00

The last painting of 2010... The New Year promises to bring more personal explorations in circles and glazing... Seasons Greetings!

99 Bubbles in Blue, Yellow & Green... Part II

2010-12-24T13:22:00.000-08:00

99 Bubbles in Blue, Yellow & Green... part 1

2010-12-24T13:21:00.000-08:00

(3x) 99 Bubbles in Blue, Yellow & Green...

2010-12-24T13:19:00.000-08:00

My latest painting, a triptych involving glazes... looking forward to exploring this more in 2011!

Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park September 2010

2010-12-14T00:43:00.000-08:00

This is a photo taken by a friend of mine... Aaron Domes... he caught an interesting and beautiful double exposure while capturing the setting sun... this was during an Artist retreat at the park... the 2nd annual... very fun, educational, spiritual and all throughout a visually stunning landscape. I was there directing a clay sculpture workshop in which the participants reflected on and engaged with the environment they had experienced over the 3 day retreat. The work is likely to be featured at the Bowman Arts Centre showcases in 2011... clay as well as paintings, sketches and even glass blowing from what was talked about thus far... looking forward to that!

The Mooly Keystone Talky

2010-09-23T11:22:00.000-07:00

The Mooly Keystone Talky emerged through an evolutional anomaly involving a passionate love affair between Sir Edmond the Moose, Jenavieve the three-toed monkey and the pink-tickle watching hourglass goat of Delaware. One might think this was an odd love affair, but all things considered it makes perfect sense. There are three 'key' points: #1 - The pink toe nails, centre-ear and pink goatee and underbelly clearly compliment Sir Edmond's choice of tie that he wore at all cocktail parties in the Wilberly Forest. #2 - The grand smile only came after the union of the beast which completed its ability to converse in the realm of abstract thought and, of course, grunting. #3 - Jenavieve's swinging capacity was slightly diminished but through this magic union the Mooly Keystone Talky was now a much better dancer; especially in Disco, Jive and the not so oddly, Swing.
The Mooly Keystone Talky enjoys long walks on the beach, romantic candlelit dinners and Wrigley's gum. Topics of conversation may include 'The first time one ate pork spareribs', 'The New York Knicks', and 'Interplanetary travel.' If you plan on talking to the Mooly Keystone Talky, you better bring lots to drink. (Fine Wine is not recommended) Instead, a banana puree is preferred; with a twist of lemon. The Mooly Keystone Talky has also been known, in certain circles, to be a bit of a jester. Not afraid of the stage or crowds, this beast has evolved as a bit of an actor. If you are a film buff, pay close attention to the Grand Canyon scene in Thelma & Louise... you will see the wince of Mooly in the back seat of the caddy. On a more front and center note, Drew the Mooly had a voice role in the animated version of Honey I Shrunk the Kids. (Drew played the grasshopper) Where to go next: "To The Moon, Alice... To The Moon!!!"

The Cyclofused Dandysloth

2010-09-23T11:20:00.000-07:00

The first known creature of its kind, the Cyclofused Dandysloth is the most intriguing of the cross-barrier watersporting subversive lazy creatures of the southern Hemisphere. It is associated with the sloth variety for its cyclical attachments along its twisted extremity; namely the orange-green-purple striped sluggish form. The Cyclofused Dandysloth's feet are composed of rotating glowing orbs that allow for a more energy-efficient lifestyle. These orbs contain solar panels that then power the rotating cycles for a constant crawling movement along both earth and water surfaces.
Classified within the wooly grub family of known species, the Cyclofused Dandysloth is a three-eyed creature, yet the two outside eyes are nocturnal and remain closed until twilight... oooohh, SPOOKY! The Cyclofused Dandysloth now feeds on human detrifuse such as cotton candy, used cotton swabs and Alpha Ghetti. It has two wind up ears that are heat sensitive and may implode if they come into contact with fire. Its furry torso is composed of waterproof buffalo-like fiber that keeps it warm in all of the elements.
There is one weakness of the Cyclofused Dandysloth; if gum lands on its torso and pierces the 1000 year aged secret black marking, the beast may fly into such a rage that its head can swell up three times its normal size... leaking its pink ear juice EVERYWHERE!! This can serve as a fatal blow, otherwise the Cyclofused Dandysloth is virtually invincible and can live several millenium on its solar-powered efficiency. *Note: If you encounter the Cyclofused Dandysloth (which is pictured here life-size) be warned; envoke slow movements but no whispering... instead chatter loudly in gibberish or Pig Latin, it will confuse the beast so much so that it may freeze-up allowing you for a quick escape before it discharges its pink juice all over your shoes!

The Cock-Eyed Winged Walhorlaffe

2010-09-23T11:13:00.000-07:00

The cock-eyed Winged Walhorlaffe is a migrating beast of the Northern Boreal region of Alberta. Originally discovered in 1775 by Walter Dewsworth near the city of Lloydminster along the banks of the Loyga creek, the Winged Walhorlaffe emerged to much surprise and excitement by the local townsfolk. This creature takes flight only during 'magic hour' as the sun sets and for this reason has been a prize subject to the photographic enthusiast. Its complimentary feather coat gleams with pride in the golden light of the sun during flight.
Some key attributes of the cock-eyed Winged Walhorlaffe are its long legs and walrus-like tusks. This beast is known for its culinary skills; always sporting a chef's hat with its proudly coded slogan: I love Alberta ART. Also, this is the only known animal of the wild to embody, via natural selection, a multi-buckle system with electric plug-ins. It has a high conductivity and for this reason is capable of powering up to six electric eggbeaters or lawn mowers simultaneously.
There are seven lucky coins that accompany the cock-eyed Winged Walhorlaffe: #1 - The ducky lucky coin. #2- The swimmers expense. #3 - The old frog's grief of Wednesday. #4 - Waiting on forever to end. #5 - If you fall into the abyss this will rescue your Miss. #6 - My tie is loose send in the moose. #7 - I am not weak, I will tear you inside out on the High Lord of Altabar's command. In 2010 the Cock-Eyed Winged Walhorlaffe was given the distinction as the official "super-beast" mascot of Alberta during Arts Days.

In a Circular World...

2010-09-05T16:40:00.000-07:00

I decided to use the circle as a starting point... the painting came together quite naturally. It is a 3x4 ft. painting. I freehanded the circles so they are not 'perfect'; instead they reflect my visual balance. I plan to do more in this motif for an upcoming 'Burning Ground' studio group exhibition at the Trianon Gallery in Lethbridge, AB. It is a wonderful space. I look forward to the opening on Nov. 20th, 2010.

Impulse

2010-08-09T16:42:00.000-07:00

My most recent painting... quite large (4x6ft diptych) that came together quite spontaneously... in fact on an "impulse". The canvases were purchased on impulse, the concept of a loose EKG monitor (of course abstract and organic lines - my style/aesthetic) was a quick thought and the colours are never entirely arbitrary but do happen through quite an intuitive and unplanned process... so it is called "Impulse."

Bold & Beautiful... St Patrick's Fine Arts Division 1 students

2010-05-31T14:36:00.000-07:00

My most recent school visit with the TREX program was to St. Patrick's Fine Arts Elementary in Lethbridge. The Grades 1s,2s & 3s took to working with construction paper to emulate the style and technique of the "Direction(s)" exhibit that was on display in their hallways. After a brief presentation on colour theory, my artistic influences and a Q & A with the kids, they were very enthusiastic to get started on their own abstractions! The results speak for themselves...

In the midst of creating... St Pat's Grades 1, 2 & 3

2010-05-31T14:24:00.000-07:00

St. Patrick's Fine Arts Elementary Grades 1, 2 & 3

2010-05-31T14:06:00.000-07:00

Grades 1, 2 & 3 students created some non-objective works of Art using coloured construction paper. The black background is meant to simulate a loose 'drip' grid-work, stained glass or mosaic look.

St. Patrick's Fine Arts Elementary May 2010

2010-05-23T13:47:00.000-07:00

Derek Lidstone, St. Pat's teacher, decided to take his turn at the 'drip-drive' creative process. There was no shortage of interesting and dynamic student works created at St. Pat's.

Every student had their own signature style and approach to the 'drip-drive' process. Their usage of colour was especially individual; unique.

Two student works hang beside 'Flitter', a Gustav Klimt inspired painting in the "Direction(s)" exhibit.

2010-05-23T13:32:00.000-07:00

Two St. Pat's student works hang above two of the "Direction(s)" exhibit paintings.

Students at St. Patrick's elementary captured in a state of inspiration and creativity...

Dripping in every "DIRECTION"...

2010-05-23T13:24:00.000-07:00

I recently had the opportunity to work with grades 4,5 and 6 students at St. Patrick's Fine Arts elementary school in Lethbridge. After a short slide presentation, a viewing of the "Direction(s)" exhibit and a brief lesson on colour theory, the students took to making their own 'drip-drive' creations. The results were nothing less than exceptional!

"The Language of Enthusiasm"

2010-04-12T15:02:00.000-07:00

I was reading a book entitled "The Alchemist" and came across this phrase... 'the language of enthusiasm,' and at that moment I knew I had found the title to my latest painting...
This will be a part of "Making it Big in Lethbridge" a new group exhibition (April 10th, 2010 - onward) at the Bowman Art Centre galleries, Lethbridge, AB.

My Brains at Work....

2010-01-30T14:38:00.000-08:00

Ok, so this is my latest creation... was thinking roots or dendrites or something of the sort... oh yah... and colour, colour, shape and line too of course!

This one is a 3x4 foot once the four canvases are connected together...

"Matrix Mayhem"

2010-01-30T14:32:00.000-08:00

This is a collaborative piece I worked on with a poet named Jeff Godin a few nights ago... we spent a few minutes discussing our pseudo-scientific approach to its structure and the process we would use as a creative springboard... then went mad with enthusiasm for a few hours! It will hopefully be a part of the Poet/Artist group exhibition at the Yates in Lethbridge in March of 2010.

BROOKS, AB High School Art Student Works...

2010-01-15T16:11:00.000-08:00

These are four of the many abstract works created during my visit to their school earlier this week. I found it very stimulating to be around such creative and enthusiastic individuals. I hope to have more opportunites to work with students where the work travels. The drip & swatches of colour idea seems to be very accessible to all ages, and provokes unique compositions and colour combinations.

A Visit to Brooks Composite High School

2010-01-15T13:06:00.000-08:00

Earlier this week I had an opportunity to spend a couple of days with high school students in Brooks, AB with the TREX program. I did a brief presentation with three senior high classes, had a question and answer session alongside the exhibit, and then the students took to canvas with their own abstractions using acrylic paint. Using drips as a starting point, the students made highly creative colourful works of Art. In some instances, the students were quite inventive, doing things that I hadn't thought of with this process. It was a stimulating and exciting couple of days!

New 'Directions' in Abstract Art for grade four class...

2009-12-19T12:03:00.000-08:00

Another visit at Agnes Davidson school in Lethbridge; this time with an extremely talented group of grade four students. As you can see, they are truly budding Artists. After seeing the "Directions" exhibit and talking about Colour, Line, Shape and many other Elements of Art & Principles of Design... the students were eager to create their own abstractions!

Agnes Davidson Grade One Class Dec, 2009

2009-12-18T11:24:00.000-08:00

I visited a grade one class at Agnes Davidson school. We talked about abstractions, colour theory and artists in history that related to the "Directions" exhibit. Then we viewed the "Directions" exhibit and came back to the classroom and the kids created wonderful, vibrant Artworks using coloured construction paper. Even their teacher made one (bottom left)! It has been a great experience thus far as a visiting artist with the AFA TREX program.

Digital Playground

2009-12-09T15:36:00.000-08:00

This is my most recent abstraction. It came together quite quickly... when viewed without my glasses on I enjoy it even more, as the colours fuze together into 'beautiful fuzziness'.

Agnes Davidson Grade Fives take to Abstraction...

2009-12-09T15:28:00.000-08:00

This morning I was at Agnes Davidson school in Lethbridge, in Louise Cormier's grade five class. The students and I discussed colour theory and then they created vibrant abstractions within the grid structure created through the 'drip-drive' process. The primary mediums were felt marker and chalk pastel on paper. The students seemed to enjoy themselves as they made quite amazing colourful compositions! I will be doing creative projects with the students of Agnes Davidson over the next couple of weeks.

'DIRECTIONS' Alberta Bound...

2009-12-03T12:21:00.000-08:00

The Alberta Foundation for the Arts Travelling Exhibition (TREX) program has optioned to take my "Directions" Art work for a two-year tour of Alberta. It is their mandate to have exposure in the Arts to the perifery of the established art scene; the display will go to many small venues such as schools and libraries primarily in rural Alberta. I count myself fortunate to be a part of this program. The first stop of the tour is at Agnes Davidson school in Lethbridge. I am pictured here with two of the paintings from the series in the background at Agnes Davidson School.

Louise & Deborah... teacher friends & mentors

2009-12-03T11:47:00.000-08:00

The 'Directions' exhibit lies beneath in the crates... at its first destination of a two-year Alberta Foundation for the Arts tour of Alberta with the TREX program, here shown at Agnes Davidson school in Lethbridge with two friends/colleagues of mine. We enjoyed hanging the show, and I will be visiting Louise's (L) grade five class discussing the exhibit and doing a related art activity with them. I'm looking forward to next week!

Camouflage

2009-11-20T13:07:00.000-08:00

My most recent painting to date (Nov.2oth, 2009). The subtlety it has in colour gradation is not something I always do, but working with a limited palette has its optical advantages!

Formation

2009-11-20T12:57:00.000-08:00

This is a piece that began with radiating shapes from the center outward. No shape is certain but it does reference birds, butterflies, bats or bees (okay enough with the alliteration!) My dad did an Artwork years ago with butterflies in a similar formation... although his work is a lot more 'literal' than this abstraction presents. My dad has always been an inspiration to me artistically.

Peering Through

2009-11-20T12:54:00.000-08:00

A recent work... It was made in the opposite method of building up shape... rather than a linear beginning it was started with small flecks and simple shapes of an intensely dark hue. What I like most is the depth created within.

Rough edges

2009-11-20T12:50:00.000-08:00

This is a piece from a number of years back... I love the texture and loose quality it has.

mid way

2009-11-20T12:47:00.000-08:00

An abstraction I was working on earlier this year... In the end it looked nothing like this (which I preferred... guess I didn't know when to stop).

Merry Xmas To Trap\Door, One and All...

2009-10-27T15:09:00.000-07:00

This is a little Box called "The Way I Roll" which I made for the Trap\Door Artist Run Centre member show, '1000 CCs' (max dimensions 10cm x 10cm x 10cm) at the Bowman Arts Centre, Lethbridge, AB in 2009. I donated it for their annual Xmas Wishbook Online Fundraiser.

stumbled onto a disk from about 7 or 8 years ago...

2009-05-13T06:13:00.000-07:00

recognize any patterns?

RESONATE ('09) - acrylic 3 x 4 ft.

2009-05-06T15:17:00.000-07:00

This is my most recent work as of the end of April '09... I plan to submit it for jurying to the "Drawing on the Imagination" exhibit with the Bowman Arts Centre this summer.

BLUE HUES (with a kick) - detail

2009-05-06T15:16:00.001-07:00

BLUE HUES (with a kick) - 2009

2009-05-06T15:13:00.000-07:00

This is one of three submissions I sent to the 2009 RBC painting competition. (fingers crossed!)

CONTINUITY ('09)

2009-05-06T15:10:00.000-07:00

New Work 2009

2009-03-30T11:47:00.001-07:00

These are some small works from a new series I'm working on... playing around with color, organic lines and positive/negative space...

New Work 2009

2009-03-30T11:43:00.000-07:00

These are some small works from a new series I'm working on... playing around with color, organic lines and positive/negative space...

New Work (2009)

2009-03-10T11:24:00.000-07:00

This was a new approach for me to abstraction... it's a distant variation of other techniques I have tried in past years. This picture is at the opening reception of 'Teamworks' in the Lethbridge Centre mall, in February '09.

This painting has interesting qualities when viewed through RED/BLUE 3D glasses... optical FUN...

Enjoy!

Critical Review

2009-02-24T11:25:00.000-08:00

Directions

The ‘drip-drive’ series by Aaron Hagan isn’t just an exuberant celebration of colour, but a rigorous examination of the process of painting itself.

The exhibition “Directions”, at the Bowman Arts Centre, presents 18 works from Hagan’s ‘drip-drive’ series. The pieces in the exhibition have been executed within the past 14 months, although Hagan has been working on the series for a number of years.

The visitor to the gallery is immediately struck by the almost overwhelming power of the colors in the pictures, bordering on overload. In the initial seconds, with the paintings encompassing your entire field of vision, a sensitive person may feel they are succumbing to the initial paroxysms of Stendhals Syndrome, but the moment quickly passes. The veiwer is left with the opportunity to reflect on the individual works, and interact personally with the pieces.

The drip-drive paintings are constructed by dripping paint from the four edges to create a grid. This grid is then obsessively filled with small swatches of colour. It is an arbitrary process for Hagan, as he responds organically to the slowly coalescing field of color on the canvas. Sometimes he explores the tensions between complementary colors, the unity of monochromatics or the push and pull of warm and cool colours. Decisions about the direction of the paintings are made as the work progresses. The end result is always a sparkling jewel-like surface.

The exhibition “Directions” is accessible and interesting to everyone, from the seasoned art veteran to the individual with no previous exposure to art. They are interesting as an investigation of seriality, where the grid motif becomes a matrix to explore an endless possibility of colour relationships, they are interesting as questions about the compulsive, labour intensive process of art-making itself, and they are interesting as a celebration of the seductive and sensory power of colour.

The exhibition runs until March 7. The Alberta Foundation for the Arts Traveling Exhibition Program has optioned to take the show on the road, and it will be touring the province in the coming year. If you haven’t seen the exhibition, find the time, it is worth it.

Lil' ol' me with 'Of All the Colors in the World' behind...

2009-02-19T16:57:00.000-08:00

Flitter

2009-02-19T16:46:00.000-08:00

This piece caught inspiration from the painter Gustav Klimt, who created loose patterns with many color swatches and used a lot of gold paint in his work.

Flitter (Close-up)

2009-02-19T16:42:00.000-08:00

The Apple Dumpling Gang (Close-up)

2009-02-19T16:38:00.000-08:00

Flying Over Zootown

2009-02-19T16:34:00.000-08:00

Hidden within this painting is a plethora of mammals... can you spot the purple terrier, the green giraffe and the whale?

Kaleidoscope

2009-02-19T16:23:00.000-08:00

This is the one from the series I refer to as my 'superman' painting... at least it started out that way, over the top... I subdued it quite a bit as it got closer and closer to being completed.

70s Suite

2009-02-19T16:19:00.000-08:00

Look at the colors... what more can I say?

Veil

2009-02-19T16:10:00.000-08:00

This is one of the last pieces I finished for the "Directions" show. I experimented a lot with layering to create a hightened sense of depth.

Of All the Colors in the World

2009-02-19T15:38:00.000-08:00

As paint drips quite different on a strong canvas tooth as opposed to board, the result is a much more organic patterning effect. I wanted to use a more subtle tonal shift in this painting so I used a lot more pastel-based hues. This painting is the largest of the drip-drive series, measuring over 4 x 5 ft.

Connect

2009-02-19T15:31:00.000-08:00

This is the earliest large-scale Drip-Drive from 2007... It measures 44" x 67" and was both a lot of fun and work to complete. I went a bit 'outside the box' to create some of the a-symmetrical shapes within. Thanks to my studio mate Troy Nickle (at the time) who supplied me with the surface, which he found in a back alley.

The Apple Dumpling Gang

2009-02-19T15:24:00.000-08:00

Had fun naming this one... a throwback to my childhood... the old Disney Tim Conway and Don Knotts comedy. If one looks hard enough they might find a Don Knotts profile... well, maybe not.

Mosaic

2009-02-19T15:18:00.000-08:00

This is one of four of the color-study mini series. Although I've incorporated a variety of hues, the yellow-orange prevails to be the stand-out hue. I enjoy how such variety can be included in a work of art, yet there remains a focal point or in this case, a prevailing hue.

Broken Water

2009-02-19T15:13:00.001-08:00

Using a blue-green overall hue, I was still able to incorporate a variety of other colors. This is one of a four-part mini-series that illustrates color-relationships; there are strong contrasts, yet the blue-green hue dominates.

Bedtime Story Quilt

2009-02-19T15:06:00.000-08:00

Another 'Drip-Drive' painting from 2008; this painting was intended to be representative of 'earth tones' while still incorporating non-local colors.

Chips Off the Color Block

2009-02-19T11:45:00.000-08:00

This is a playful painting. It's one of the smaller works from the "Directions" exhibit. I wanted to somehow introduce many different colors but still have an overall feel of a red-purple hue. I think that was accomplished. It is part of a mini-series of four... addressing color-theory. The others are green-blue, yellow-orange and 'earth tones'.

Corridor

2009-02-19T11:32:00.000-08:00

I initially wanted to make this a monochromatic painting (consistent variations of blue hues)... but, nearing completion, it seemed to need a little something to give it some 'punch'... so I proceeded to introduce other hues from the full spectrum. The painting become activated with the new hues. I called it 'Corridor' because the painting seems to direct your eyes along various paths or corridors, stopping on the swatches of color at times.

Grounded

2009-02-19T11:18:00.000-08:00

This work is also from the "Directions" exhibit, on display at the Bowman Arts Centre until March 7th, 2009. With this particular painting I used the natural hue of the raw board as one of the 'earth tones'. Thus the masonite board is unsealed (no gesso).

Flitter

2009-02-19T11:09:00.000-08:00

This painting was inspired by the work of Gustav Klimt, who used a lot of loose patterns and gold hues in his paintings. The shapes and colors seem to flicker around for me when looking at the painting.

Direction(s) Image 1

2009-02-09T19:57:00.000-08:00

This is "Serend(r)ipity" A & B... a D(r)iptych... from the 'Drip-Drive' series, currently on display at the Bowman Arts Centre in Lethbridge, AB. This series has been worked on intermittently from 2005-08.