Charles Butler
Abstractions, 2021
Acrylics, 16 in X 20 in; 24 in X 30 in; 30 in X 36 in.
Artist Statement:
The foundation of these works visualizes a conceptual language as a means of documenting the artists’ emotions through instinctive paintings of colors and shapes. Tools of the trade that compose these abstractions are acrylics as a choice of medium, color palettes that are archived through photographs, and a canvas servicing as a painting surface. Acrylics are very adaptable means that can be constructed and reconstructed within the surfaces of the canvas, providing my mark-making techniques of geometric and organic shapes the opportunity to transform with a variety of colors. Using whole geometric and organic shapes, in contrast towards free flowing shapes, are constructs that I personally gravitate towards. While painting, colors instinctively transform into certain geometric and organic shapes, primarily circles, squares, and rectangles. Experiments with the opacity also provide new opportunities to arrange and layer shapes throughout the canvas. As it develops, a grid-like composition builds, becoming a two-dimensional painting with elements that uses the surfaces of the canvas for a composition, or, painterly structures bleed into the edges of canvas as a means of transforming the painting into a three-dimensional sculpture. When curating my colors, these palettes extend from my paintings, housing these fashioned acrylics making-way towards the canvas via brushworks. Afterwards, they are documented and repurposed as photographs in order to preserve the records of the procured paints and colors, while functioning as their own bodies of work. Ultimately, the canvas exhibits the final work, encasing all these personal visual identities of instinctive mark-makings, colors, and shapes.
