Artists discuss "Notes for Travelers"

Chas Martin and Don Gray will share insights on their creative processes and their journeys. Photo: Anne John

Sculptor Chas Martin and painter Don Gray will talked about their exhibit at Art at the Cave in Vancouver, Washington on Saturday, September 16, 2023 at 1pm.

“When invited to put a show together, Don and I discussed a show title, but didn’t really talk about the art we would exhibit,” explains Chas Martin. “We are familiar with each other’s work. We knew there would be a natural synergy.” What could not have been predicted was the magic that occurred as the show was installed.

In their upcoming discussion at the gallery, the two artists will share stories of their processes and notes on their journeys. Martin and Gray have a similar palette and somewhat similar approach to applying color. Both title their works to encourage viewer interpretation. Several of the pieces exhibited even have similar titles. As the show took shape, the interplay of their thoughts and themes became very apparent. 

The nearly 60 pieces exhibited range from intimate to monumental. One of Gray’s ongoing themes is his exploration of the urn, a portrait-like treatment of a simple vessel shape. It is a theme he has returned to for years. Additional works include figurative paintings in varying stages of abstraction. These pieces are an intriguing complement to the dynamic gestures of Martin’s figurative sculptures. Viewers can make their own associations or conclusions about the pairings.

During the installation, the team at Art at the Cave began arranging pieces as they were unpacked, arranging compatible colors and themes. It was an organic process with minimal input from the artists. The interplay between the 2- and 3-dimensional pieces seemed to organize itself. “We trusted our friends at The Cave who know their space and how to best present the art. Their objectivity and experience make this exhibit all the more interesting,” said Gray.

Many viewers at the September 1 opening reception commented on the quality of the curation. Sharon Svec, the curator who has known both artists for years said, “The discussion between these two artists will add another level of understanding to the viewer experience. I expect this artist talk will reveal some interesting insights.”

Art at the Cave is located at 108 East Evergreen Blvd, Vancouver, Washington. Gallery hours are Tues-Thurs 11-5pm, Fri and Sat 11-6 or by appointment.

Artist Discussion is free and open to the public, Saturday, September 16 at 1:00pm. Arrive early to view the show. The exhibit will run through September 23.

That Blinding Flash of Inspiration

Years ago as an art director with a San Francisco ad agency, I was paired with Barney Currer, a writer whose creative process was similar to mine. Our daily routine included tossing ideas back and forth searching for something that would creatively solve the problem, please the client and sell the product.

After a sequence of ideas, Barney would light up and say, “Here’s a flash!” and then proceed to explain his great idea. I would offer a “yes, and…” reply. The goal was to get as many ideas on the table as possible without judgement. The “Yes, and…” technique is a Second City improv exercise that doesn’t judge the idea. It simply adds something to it. We would alternate “yes, and” replies on our way to progressively more insane ideas. Only after many rounds of craziness did the elimination begin. Some ideas were clearly impractical. Some impossible. Some would never get past the client. But all were way beyond the initial flash.

We have all experienced that flash of inspiration – an idea so brilliant we even surprised ourselves. But most of the time, that’s only the springboard. To be content with the flash is to miss a potentially greater opportunity through playful exploration. Before the evaluation process begins, you have to entertain the unrealistic and impractical ideas that may trigger even more ridiculous ideas.

One of the first creative directors I worked with in Boston wisely noted you can always scale back an insane idea and still have something outstanding. You can never embellish a mediocre idea enough to make it great. So, why limit your potential by congratulating yourself too soon?

We want to believe our flash of inspiration is brilliant. It isn’t. If blinded by the flash, you’ll fail to see that beyond it is an open door to a whole new realm of possibilities.

Flash of Inspiration - Work in progress. This piece sat on a shelf unfinished for months before the ultimate solution appeared. Part of the process is visualizing alternate solutions with paper, wire, ideas, Photoshop. Explore all options before you commit to one solution. See the final solution for this sculpture.

The Truth about “Truth Be Told”

“Truth Be Told” is an oversized mixed media mask - 39” x 39” x 9.5”. It was my first, but certainly not my last large-scale mask. When I created the original version of this mask on a human scale, I knew immediately that I wanted to see it larger than life.

My mantra is: If you aren’t creating problems to solve, you aren’t being very creative. This piece was a series of new problems. Many of the techniques I used for smaller work transferred to the larger scale. Others did not. Life and art are for learning.

Original mask and larger version in progress.

The most significant realization as this piece evolved was the impact of size on how it is perceived. I’ve known this for years, but always managed to avoid working larger. I finally gave in to the encouragement and this is the result.

“Truth Be Told” will be included in my exhibit along with Don Gray at The Cave, 108 E. Evergreen Ave, Vancouver, WA from September 1 through 30. Opening reception will be Friday, September 1 from 4-8pm. You are invited to attend.

Final large mask 39x39x9/5”

Intuitive art - creativity beyond logic

Intuitive sculpture - works in progress. These are driven by curiosity rather than logic as I explore ideas.

I have spent most of my career trying not to conform but to follow my own path. My goal has always been to create unique work regardless of the medium. Even if I try to imitate something, I can’t. My imagination immediately seeks a tangent and off we go in a new direction.  

There’s a downside to this creative drive. I never know how to categorize my work. It is exploratory, though not in the cutting-edge, shock-value, boundary-pushing sense. It’s more internal, personal, spiritual. It’s fed by what I read. I read everything from physics to metaphysical to philosophy.

Physics has always provided a source of inspiration for me. What we don’t know is a much larger and grander realm than what we do know. Recently, I’ve been studying the concept of consciousness. It’s very much related to quantum physics. The observer alters the observed. Although we may both observe the same event, we see it differently based on our experience and ability to process what we see.

Last night while reading “The Lens of Perception” by Hal Zina Bennett, I rediscovered the term “Intuitive art”. A timely coincidence? More likely a synchronous event. Searching for a definition, I found many, all either too general or focused on painting. So I dug a little deeper into the concept of intuition first.

Merriam-Webster defines intuition as “the power or faculty of attaining direct knowledge or cognition without evident rational thought and inference.” Logic has no real influence here.

Artist, Cheryl Bannon defines intuitive art as “a spiritual, connected process that allows the art to lead the way as images form through the layers of paint and other media. Intuitive art is a process of creating art using an inner awareness that is heart centered and does not rely on analysis or head-based questions. It is a way of creating that is about connecting into your emotions and responding to what feels right.”

I experiment with archetypal characters and situations – with the narratives that connect us rather than segment us into micro categories. My process is definitely intuitive, driven by anything but logic. So I am going to wear this mantle for a while and see if it fits.