if i knew, i'd tell you

Miniature Sublime

2011-09-05T19:22:00.023-05:00

Miniature Sublime is an attempt to establish a physical representation of the elusive. The impermanence of the medium lends to the impermanence of the images, rendering them unstable and vulnerable to deterioration. Ink is temporarily suspended and pressed between thin sheets of glass. Over time the liquid slowly dries, creating thin ribbons of pigment and soft gradations of value, producing images of abstract spaces. One is left momentarily disconnected from any physical or mental sense of place. Size loses significance. The miniature becomes the grand; microscopic abstractions become rough mountains or tumultuous waves. The infinite within the miniscule is revealed.

The wall projection transforms the miniature to the grand, paralleling the physical miniatures with the insubstantial image. Expanded beyond human scale, small intricacies become discernable, revealing details and suggesting continuity toward the microscopic or macroscopic. Although large enough for further comprehension, the image remains inaccessible. Without a comparative context, the true size of the image, or what it represents, is unknown.

Miniature Sublime is an innate contradiction, an attempt to contain the uncontainable. It is simultaneously sublime and not sublime. In short, it is an inevitable failure. The uncontainable can never be contained, represented, or deterred. To capture the sublime is to alter it. The attempt to represent the elusive, however futile, is in itself sublime.

Miniature Sublime [Installation View 1], Inova Art Center, UWM, Milwaukee, WI. 04/2011

Miniature Sublime [Installation View 2]

ertero [Installation View 1], 2010-2011, Mixed Media, 18 in. x 24 in. x 15 in. [1 in. x 3 in.]

ertero, 2010-2011, Mixed Media, 18 in. x 24 in. x 15 in. [1 in. x 3 in.]

avitpiron, 2010-2011, Mixed Media, 18 in. x 24 in. x 15 in. [1 in. x 3 in.]

nasvtess, 2010-2011, Mixed Media, 18 in. x 24 in. x 15 in. [1 in. x 3 in.]

iostern, 2010-2011, Mixed Media, 18 in. x 24 in. x 15 in. [1 in. x 3 in.]

delobnnuess, 2010-2011, Mixed Media, 18 in. x 24 in. x 15 in. [1 in. x 3 in.]

suorcibty, 2010-2011, Mixed Media, 18 in. x 24 in. x 15 in. [1 in. x 3 in.]

eawosem, 2010-2011, Mixed Media, 18 in. x 24 in. x 15 in. [1 in. x 3 in.]

tefilvaercos, 2010-2011, Mixed Media, 18 in. x 24 in. x 15 in. [1 in. x 3 in.]

suorcibty [Installation View], 2010-2011, Mixed Media, 18 in. x 24 in. x 15 in. [1 in. x 3 in.]

tefilvaercos [Installation View], 2010-2011, Mixed Media, 18 in. x 24 in. x 15 in. [1 in. x 3 in.]

Miniature Sublime [Installation View 3]

Miniature Sublime [Installation View 4]

liamortty, 2010-2011, Digital Projection Installation [Mixed Media], 4 ft x 24 ft

liamortty [Detail 1]

liamortty [Detail 2]

liamortty [Detail 3]

Non-Existent Decay

2011-09-03T17:38:00.009-05:00

Considering the laws of physics, life should not exist. This inherent implausibility is a fascinating and intimidating subject. Emergence becomes the struggle against non-existence. Repetitious clustering of atoms and cells oppose disintegration, acting as small metaphors of our own struggle for existence. The similarities between all organisms and systems – simple or complex, micro or macro – are vast and infinite.

The work explores the uncomfortable space in between growth and decay to convey the sublimity and fragility of existence. By mimicking these processes, visually and conceptually, the drawings explore the manifestations and relationships between these forces. My practice of drawing, and tracing states of emergence and entropy in our environment is an extension of the futile desire to capture life. I contrast colors, textures, and methods of representation to parallel this tension. Watercolor and ink are used intuitively, while pen and graphite provide detailed and controlled mark making.

In Non-Existent Decay, I appropriate moments of deterioration stalled by human intervention. Eroded sections of concrete traced onto sheets of mylar are embellished with graphite and ink. Obsessive marks and lines instill structure inside disorder while simultaneously suggesting infinity. The work alludes to both celestial bodies and microscopic entities, reflecting the interconnected complexities between emergence, entropy, and existence.

reproduce, India Ink and Graphite on Mylar, 25 in. x 40 in.

substance, India Ink and Graphite on Mylar, 25 in. x 40 in., 2009

consume, India Ink and Graphite on Mylar, 25 in. x 40 in., 2009

layer, India Ink and Graphite on Mylar, 25 in. x 40 in., 2009

more, India Ink and Graphite on Mylar, 25 in. x 40 in., 2009

full, India Ink and Graphite on Mylar, 25 in. x 40 in. 2009

full [Detail]

(Non) Entity Series

2011-09-03T17:17:00.010-05:00

The untitled and (non) Entity series address notions of emergence and existence, highlighting connections between the micro and the macro through obscured organic forms. Utilizing automatic and reactionary drawing methods, residual watercolor, ink, and other immiscible mediums were mixed; creating a primordial sludge that was poured and manipulated directly and indirectly on paper. The adverse mediums coexist and remain on the paper. The resulting image embodies entropy while contradicting it through its very existence.

(non) Entity 2, Watercolor, India Ink, Sumi Ink, and Graphite on Watercolor Paper, 11" x 14", 2009

(non) Entity 4, Watercolor, India Ink, Sumi Ink, Ash, and Graphite on Watercolor Paper, 22" x 30", 2009

(non) Entity 4 [Detail]

(non) Entity 5, Watercolor, India Ink, Sumi Ink, Ash, and Graphite on Watercolor Paper, 22" x 30", 2009

(non) Entity 13, India Ink, Sumi Ink, and Graphite on Archival Board, 41" x 32", 2009

(non) Entity 14, India Ink, Sumi Ink, and Graphite on Archival Board, 41" x 32", 2009

(non) Entity 13 [Detail]

(non) Entity 15, India Ink, Sumi Ink, Charcoal, and Graphite on Archival Board, 41" x 32", 2009

Interview

2009-03-12T13:45:00.001-05:00

Interview on My Art Space blog

untitled

2009-02-07T22:30:00.006-06:00

untitled 1, Sumi ink, Watercolor and Graphite on Paper, 11" x 14", 2008-2009

untitled 2, Sumi ink, Watercolor, and Graphite on Paper, 11" x 14", 2009

untitled 3, Sumi ink, Watercolor, and Graphite on Paper, 11" x 14", 2009

untitled 4, Sumi ink, Watercolor, and Graphite on Paper, 11" x 14", 2009

101 Cellplates

2009-02-07T22:17:00.005-06:00

101 Cellplates, Sumi ink and Graphite on Rice Paper, each 3" x 5", 2008

Hand/Body/Cellular Repetition

2009-02-07T22:06:00.004-06:00

Guerilla Drawing/Cellular Repetition 2

2009-02-07T21:57:00.007-06:00

Guerilla Drawing/Cellular Repetition

2009-02-07T21:43:00.006-06:00

2009-01-02T19:07:00.005-06:00

Phragmoplast 1

Phragmoplast 2

Phragmoplast 2 [Detail]

Sinus Structures and Others

2008-07-22T20:34:00.003-05:00

Based on structures found in human body. All are Mixed Media on 2" x 2" Mini-Canvases.

I think this one looks like a fight between mini-battleships.

These last three use shapes of the smaller sinus cavities in the human head.

Bone and Marrow

2008-07-20T21:37:00.016-05:00

Bone and Marrow 1

Graphite, White Charcoal, and Watercolor on Paper

8" x 12"

[Detail] Bone and Marrow 1

Bone and Marrow 2

Watercolor, Pen, and White Charcoal on Watercolor Paper

4"x 4"

[Detail] Bone and Marrow 2

Bone and Marrow: Grey

India Ink, Graphite, and White Charcoal on Paper

7" x 10"

[Detail] Bone and Marrow: Grey

Bone Connection Structure

Mixed Media on Paper

4" x 4"

[Detail] Bone Connection Structure

Hollow Bone

India Ink on Paper

9" x 11"

Bone Fiber

India Ink on Paper

9" x 11"

[Detail] Bone Fiber

Organ Series

2008-05-13T00:17:00.004-05:00

These are small studies or impressions of certain organs of the body. Not finished, but I thought I'd put them up anyway.

Sinuses

Lungs One

Lungs Two

Lungs Two [Detail]

Flat Iron Arts Building

2008-03-27T10:40:00.005-05:00

I'll be showing some work at the Flat Iron Arts Building's Gallery Walk on April 12th, 2008. It's free, so stop by if you're interested. 12pm to 10pm.

Corpus Callosum

2008-01-30T20:49:00.000-06:00

This piece is part of the Color-in Series. The shapes are buildings from a map I found that I embellished, cut out and placed on paper. They remind me of the two hemispheres of the brain. "Corpus Callosum" refers to the bundles of nerves that connects the two hemispheres and allows them to communicate with each other.

Corpus Callosum

Mixed Media on Found Materials and Paper

9" x 12"

2007

Color-in Book and Series, cont.

2008-01-30T19:35:00.001-06:00

Shale

Mixed Media in Found Book

9" x 5"

2007

Rain

Mixed Media on Found Book

9" x 5"

2007

Rain 2

Mixed Media on Found Book

9" x 5"

2007

Black Rain

Mixed Media and Collage on Found Book

9" x 5"

2007

[Detail] Black Rain

Large Map Composition

Mixed Media on Found Materials and Canvas

36" x 12"

2007

[Detail] Large Map Composition

Tracks

Mixed Media on Found Materials and Board

28" x 9"

2007

untitled

Mixed Media on Found Materials and Paper

12" x 9"

2007 - 2008

untitled (Mountain)

Mixed Media on Found Materials and Paper

9" x 12'

2007 - 2008

Color-in Book

2007-08-12T22:11:00.001-05:00

This book is part of the "Color-in Series" in that I simply color-in certain images I find. There is a comfort and safety in coloring between lines - boundaries are already set, but you have the freedom to do what you wish within those boundaries. It's rather reminiscent of childhood.
The book itself was printed in the 1969 and titled Urban Planning Aspects of Water pollution Control. The only connection I can see between the subject and coloring-in is the desire to change something rather stale into an almost decorative object. To make it rough and inconsistent - like nature.

These are just a few of the images.

"sludge, lagoons, and a whale"

All ink, pen, graphite, pencil on/in found object. 6"x10"

Freckles

2007-04-21T21:46:00.000-05:00

This one is rather silly, but I've recently become obsessed with the freckle pattern on my arms. I suppose as a women, I am just exhibiting the usual obesession one has with her body and its possible imperfections. The ideal is to have perfectly clear skin. I now just view these marks as natural tattoes.

24"x18"
Pen, Watercolor, and Colored pencil on Paper
03/2007

I attempted to try and depict the different shades of brown and red.

New Heart

2007-04-21T21:42:00.000-05:00

This began as a projection drawing, and developed into this multi-colored heart.

11"x7.5"
Pen, Ink, Pencil, and Watercolor on Paper
02-03/2007

Found Object/Color-in

2007-04-21T21:26:00.000-05:00

I just found this in my mother's house and didn't know what it was. I was just compeled to color in the flower relief. It reminded me of childhood, coloring in coloring book and the saftey of the lines. The design was already set, but within those lines, there was complete freedom. I suppose that embodies childhood; one being allowed to explore, but always under the safety of one's parents. Although this is not complete freedom, it was till comforting to me.

4"x18"
Pen, Ink, and Pencil on Underwear-Drawer-Divider
02/2007

Burren Book

2007-04-21T20:51:00.000-05:00

Front Cover

"This book is a collection of drawings I made during my time in the Burren of Ballyvaughn, Ireland. The Burren landscape was created by over-farming from early inhabitants, resulting in soil erosion and exposure of the underlying rock."

"Moss and Lichen. The exposed rock, smooth and undulating is reminiscent of exposed bone. As if the flesh of the land was stripped away and is slowly regenerating."

"The subtle variations of gray in the landscape made an impression on me. I studied them often, finding them in the sky and rock surfaces . . . ."

"Faery Fort in Landscape"

" ' They took up the crosscut and started at the Whitethorn. But . . . Lord God . . . I saw it with my own two eyes, and every man there saw it! . . . they had only two draws o' that saw pulled across that sceach when it started to bleed! I tell you, I never saw men jump back as fast as them two. And threw the saw away from 'em. 'Twas a wonder they didn't cut someone with it. 'Twas blood that came out of it – nothing else, only blood! And who'd cut it after that? All that was worrying them men that marked it was, would they live or wouldn't they? 'Twas blood left there and 'tis still there. And I hope it'll be there when I'm dead and gone. Would you take it out o' there, after what happened that day? You'd be brave man to do it.' Excerpt from the book, Meeting the Other Crowd: Ther Fairy Stories of Hidden Ireland, by Eddie Lenihan."
"Faery forts were dotted all throughout the landscape. Small, rounded domes, usually constructed with twigs, these faery forts have been around fro centuries. They are an integral part of Ireland's landscape and cultural history. I began reading Faery stories, one in particular stuck with me, which is referenced above. The dark, twisted nature of these stories suited the bittersweet character of the Burren."

"A Burren rock surface near Ballyvaughn."

"Finding the Sublime in Small places, experiencing the sublime through touch, sight, and smell – ends muted, or neutral. In the end, the beauty and pain balance each other out, and become a calm, gray stone."

Back Cover

Entire book folded out.

Mixed Media Collage Trees

2007-03-13T12:38:00.000-05:00

9"x4"
Mixed Media
12/2005

9"x4"
Mixed Media
12/2005

9"x4"
Mixed Media
12/2005

9"x4"
Mixed Media
12/2005

9"x4"
Mixed Media
12/2005

9"x4"
Mixed Media
12/2005

9"x4"
Mixed Media
12/2005

9"x4"
Mixed Media
12/2005

Creatures/Images

2007-03-09T17:33:00.000-06:00

Sad Bunny
Ink and Graphite on paper
8"x11"
April 2006

Manatee (Part 1)
Ink and Pencil on paper
15"x22"
May 2006

Manatee (Part 2)
Ink and Pencil on paper
15"x22"
May 2006

Sad Baby
Ink and Pencil on paper
12"x9"
January 2006

Cement and Asphalt Series (5)

2007-03-09T17:20:00.000-06:00

Ink, Pencil, Watercolor, and Pen on paper
11"x15"
May 2006

Cement and Asphalt Series (4)

2007-03-09T17:18:00.000-06:00

Ink, Pencil, and Pen on paper
9.5"x8"
May 2006

Cement and Asphalt Series (3)

2007-03-09T17:17:00.000-06:00

Ink and Pen on paper
9.5"x6.5"
May 2006

Cement and Asphalt Series (2)

2007-03-09T17:14:00.000-06:00

Ink, Pencil, and Pen on paper
8"x9.5"
May 2006

Cement and Asphalt Series (1)

2007-03-09T17:10:00.000-06:00

Ink and Pen on paper
8"x9.5"
May 2006

Base

2007-03-09T17:04:00.000-06:00

India Ink and Oil on paper
15"x22"
February 2006

Gray Tree on Blue

2007-03-09T16:33:00.000-06:00

India Ink and Oil on paper
15"x22"
April 2006

Gray Tree on Paper

2007-03-09T16:22:00.000-06:00

India Ink and Oil on paper
15"x22"
March 2006

Skirt

2007-03-09T16:17:00.001-06:00

Oil on Canvas
30"x24"
May 2006

Carcass

2007-03-09T16:15:00.000-06:00

Oil on Canvas Board
10"x20"
November 2005

Tree Landscape

2007-03-09T16:12:00.000-06:00

Oil on Canvas
12"x36"
December 2005

Ink Exercise 6

2007-03-09T16:08:00.000-06:00