CHRISTIAN RIESE LASSEN-one of my favorite artists

        We traveled to Maui Hawaii in the late 80’s, during my non-creative years (working in corporate America you know).
        What an incredible place, where you can stand above sea clouds high atop Haleakala, watch a whale breach off the coast of Lahaina, (which is one of the best places for whale watching in the world), you can loose count of the waterfalls along the Hana highway (with it's 600 curves and 54 bridges) and of course the 80 Maui beaches that are simply fabulous.

        But did I mention the snorkeling, there is a small island off the coast of Maui called Molokini, try to imagine half of the top rim of an extinct volcano standing out of the water and the basin of the volcano submerged just below the surface, now imagine all the different species of beautiful fish swimming in that protected underwater marina.  Now try to imagine yourself snorkeling there, what a place.

        There is a good reason why they call it “The Magic Isle”.  I think it is closest you can get to heaven and still be on the earth.

        During our visit I experience the art work of Christian Riese Lassen, who has been recognized the world over for more than 20 years for his unique art and vision.  Regarded as the premier marine artist of our time, his majestic paintings inspire appreciation and awareness of mother earth.
        Raised on the island of Maui, the self taught artist and avid surfer found his original influence in nature and from the ocean and has translated this intimate knowledge into enchanting and popular works of art that has brought us closer to marine life than ever before. His web site is lassenart.com

        His expressions in color are some of the best I have ever experienced and his work overall has certainly inspired me.  
        My favorite painting of his is The Windsurfer, pictured below.  I couldn't afford a print at the time, so I bought at poster, which I had framed.  I really love this piece and it continues to inspire me to this day.

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ABSTRACT ART IN NATURE (A lesson in the basic fundamentals of art)

      God’s art in nature is all around us; He is the perfect artist by the way.  When I’m planning an abstract painting, I am really mimicking what exists in nature.  Stop and think about it, any painting you do or just look at, in order for it to be appealing, whether it is abstract or representational, must have several key elements.

 

     First it needs balance or structure, or you’ll have an unsettling feeling about it.  In nature, no matter where or what scene you observe, it is balanced.  Gravity sees to that, nothing seems to be falling down, if a tree gets knocked over and doesn't hit the ground, it is probably leaning against some other object, therefore you have structure.  If you look at a mountain it is always grounded and never top heavy.

         Second, texture and depth are an essential part of any painting, and once again nature is all about it, just look at a forest with all it's leaves blowing in the wind and the multiple layers of trees from one hill to the next.  Also an ocean from it's constant waves in motion and at times white caps giving the scene a real feel of anger, to still waters that give one a sense of serenity.  Nature takes texture to an all-new level, because it is always moving.

     Third, color is the best part of a painting and I feel it plays a huge part in abstract art.  Nature is the king of color and if you haven’t noticed all colors in nature match.   Whether it’s the deep blue sky against the snow-capped mountains, which are surrounded by a green pine forest.  Or of course a flowing field of wild flowers of every color, adjacent to a yellow and green meadow with a light blue brook running through it, every color complements each other.

We think we're so good at producing art, seeing something beautiful and painting it on canvas, but the reality is, we are just coping the original work of the Master Artist! 

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S.O.S. Warning Signals from The Past

         This is a typical retro painting from the early 70’s, although the colors are very soothing on the outside, and the lines are moving slowly, the canvas is sending out a distress signal that cannot be ignored. 

          The original painting is very large, actually matching the very large problems in the world at that period in history.  Save Our Society, that’s what was on my mind at that moment in time.    

    I guess we could be sending out S.O.S. signals in every era of world history, including today, but when I painted this piece, the Vietnam War, which had been dragging on for years, with no end in sight, was on my mind. 

         I lost several good friends in that war and many of those who returned were never quit the same again.  Also the oil embargo was an issue in the early 1970’s, not to mention runaway inflation, which caused much distress. 

        It is hard to imagine that gas, was less than a dollar per gallon back then, oh well life goes on.

       The interesting thing with blogging about artwork you did decades ago is that it brings back all the feelings and memories of that particular period in history that, as time goes by you tend to forget.  Unfortunately it also shows that we generally don’t learn from our mistakes, especially when it comes to war.

        But back to the art work, I love the cool blue colors and the moving effect the painting has.  It plays with your senses and I especially enjoy taking a plain canvas and bringing it to life.  That coupled with giving the piece a subliminal message is what makes abstract art fun.

S.O.S. 1973, acrylic on canvas  

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India Sun

         I once had a very good friend who grew up in India.   I knew him for many years and we even contemplated going into business together.  He owned a company that cut ceramic tile and metal using high pressure water and wanted me to do the design work, but we never quit got around to it. 

        He would reminisce about his childhood and always commented on the rich culture he experienced, the wonder people he left behind and the heat of his beloved country India, yes always the heat.  It must have been very warm where he lived because it certainly left a lasting impression on him.

       

      

        With his description of his homeland and the vivid memory of how hot the summers were, I painted this piece with the tapestries of vibrant reds, oranges and yellows of the Indian sun high in the sky. He’s gone now and this painting reminds me of him, and our friendship.

        One of the great things about art, whether you paint it your self, or if you purchase it, especially abstract art,  is that you can do a whole painting around a thought or a single memory and every time you look at that painting, it will remind you of that moment.  It becomes your private thought and no one else knows what the piece really means, unless you let them know.  Every piece of art I have ever done or will do in the future has that element to it.

        The colors in this painting are warm and alive and at the same time very comforting.  They beckon you and draw you in and I'm sure that if my friend was still around,  it would surely remind him of the land that he loved.

India Sun, acrylic on canvas.

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