OliveOyl
Well-known member
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- 290
Maybe I’m slow. Or most likely, I don’t pay close attention to the “art world” anymore. But apparently, HENRY TAYLOR (62 yo, California) is a big deal painter and I don’t remember anybody else mentioning him before. I came across his work on Pinterest and read a very good New Yorker review (by Zadie Smith, no less) and still I thought...meh.
But the other night I spent an hour just looking at as much of his work as I could find. (Something got through, apparently.) He has a few straight-on sitting portraits that are okay, but when he places a person into their “environment,” it becomes a damn good painting. IMO. The compositions look balanced but, satisfyingly complex. The colors are rich and thoughtfully placed. (His blocky forms remind me of Colorforms. Remember those?) What I like best though, is his quick and loose - or spontaneous - style, and a personal and honest narrative that he captures so naturally. His work FEELS fresh and open although, it LOOKS a little old-fashioned. But I think his world, his vision, and his place, seems perfectly relevant to...right now.
WIKI: Taylor's painterly style has been variously described as sensuous, vibrant, bold, fast and loose, full of empathy, generosity, and love, and the visual equivalent to blues music, while retaining a profound critical social sensibility.
Cicely and Miles Visit the Obamas
The Darker the Berry, the Sweeter the Juice
Everyone’s Momma
Baila
Walking with Vito
Man on Horseback in Naples, TX
The Times Thay Aint a Changing, Fast Enough! (Philando Castile)
But the other night I spent an hour just looking at as much of his work as I could find. (Something got through, apparently.) He has a few straight-on sitting portraits that are okay, but when he places a person into their “environment,” it becomes a damn good painting. IMO. The compositions look balanced but, satisfyingly complex. The colors are rich and thoughtfully placed. (His blocky forms remind me of Colorforms. Remember those?) What I like best though, is his quick and loose - or spontaneous - style, and a personal and honest narrative that he captures so naturally. His work FEELS fresh and open although, it LOOKS a little old-fashioned. But I think his world, his vision, and his place, seems perfectly relevant to...right now.
WIKI: Taylor's painterly style has been variously described as sensuous, vibrant, bold, fast and loose, full of empathy, generosity, and love, and the visual equivalent to blues music, while retaining a profound critical social sensibility.
Cicely and Miles Visit the Obamas
The Darker the Berry, the Sweeter the Juice
Everyone’s Momma
Baila
Walking with Vito
Man on Horseback in Naples, TX
The Times Thay Aint a Changing, Fast Enough! (Philando Castile)