American painter, born 1949, is seemingly quite simple depictions of every day life or historical events but he adds unexpected quirks that make them less ordinary and lean more towards a surreal feel.
Apple Tree, 2008 - 2009
This particular piece reminded my of cyanotype photography and if it wasn't specified as an oil on canvas painting I would have trouble disassociating it with the early method of photography, especially since the earliest examples of cyanotypes were of plants. The limited palette makes a painting that would otherwise be less intriguing to the viewer. It is clever because the forms are all rendered in a highly life like manner and in a full palette, using a monochromatic colour scheme flattens the image and causes the audience to rethink the composition.
Recourse, 2011
This is a rather surreal image, the figures non of whom make sense when grouped together, seem to be in the middle of an ocean, but the fact that one of the men are trimming at the waves causes one to doubt what is being portrayed. This painting causes initial confusion but on looking at it long enough, you learn to accept the nonsensical nature of the painting and enjoy the surreal world you have been transported to.
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