allen's art and design blog

When Does it Become Art?

2011-06-03T16:28:00.000-07:00

When Does it Become Art?

I’m asking you!

When do you think it becomes art? Let’s look at the possibilities. It could be the moment the brush touches the canvas or the chisel touches the stone. It could be when you’re laying in bed in the middle of the night and you have a blinding flash of creativity and the next day you bring it to fruition. Or maybe not until you sign your name to it, or any where in between.

For me, it becomes art when the break has taken place between reality and someplace else, when you want to go to the place in the painting even if it’s not a real place. This usually happens at the point when I stop looking at the subject and look only at what I am painting.

What about you? Have you ever thought about it? Do you ever break away from the subject and paint what you feel, not just what you see. I think Janis Sanders achieves this strikingly well. I want to go there to experience what he did.

I have asked some of the artists in the gallery and this is their take on the question, “When does it become ART?”

I have never really thought about your question as you put it, but I have noticed over the years of painting that there seems to be a certain time, while working on a painting, that "something happens."

That "something" is hard for me to put into words.  As silly as it may seem to some people, I have, for lack of a better term, called it the "magical moment." It's not planned or something consciously orchestrated on my part, but for many of my works, it happens at some point.  I think that this is really the point that determines whether the painting is a successful or unsuccessful work of art. It's my opinion that all works are art from the very moment you put brush to canvas (or paper or board or whatever). It is in the final execution that determines if it is a successful work of art.     Bill Tomsa

When does my work become art? When what I am working on begins to speak back to me. What begins with a subject that captures my interest/imagination and continues as I strive to capture it's form and substance, starts to take on a life of its own, leading me and urging me on, and giving character and direction to my strokes. The painting ceases to be a work and becomes an experience - an experience of light and depth, moment and color.    Bob Grant

I wrestle with the word "art." Is it form, function, skill, innovation, ad infinitum? What defines one as an "artist" instead of a "painter"? Simplistic perhaps, but art is communication.    Claire Vigneau

I think of art as looking at life and the world through someone else's eyes. I think my work becomes "my art" when I'm no longer thinking of the technical aspects of painting and I let my inner self take over. The painting then takes on a life of it's own ,and if it is successful, it's because I stayed on that course.       Celene Farris

The artist sets out each time to hopefully create a work of art — a work of art that will in its entirety and at a point in time express and capture the artist’s feeling that art has been achieved. A work becomes art when, on the one hand, it satisfies the artist’s criteria of proportion, composition, color balance as they relate to the interpretation of the subject matter; and, on the other hand, it captures what the artist thinks and imagines is the intrinsic essence of the subject matter.

Art to an artist is a Sisyphian endeavor. Art is the symbiosis of the artist’s craftsmanship and interpretation at the perceived moment of ideal communication.
Art to an artist is the moment of falling in love with a work at hand. Art is dependent on the egocentric recognition by the artist that the art work he is working on has become art — the image desired and imagined realized or perhaps another unexpected image more beautiful in his mind’s eye; regardless the realization is unique to the artist and to no one else.    Henry Bonner

Think about it and leave a comment.
Allen

What is a funicular railway?

2011-05-20T06:39:00.000-07:00

This is a cool short railway designed to pull people up a steep hill. There are several of them in the world. The photo to the left is of Angels Flight in Bunker Hill, Los Angeles CA. The one above is located in Chile. The term funicular is from the architectural / mathematical meaning of a curve. There are two counterbalanced cars, one on each end of a cable. I guess the curve is in the cable.

This model is in Naples while the other one is a modern version from Istanbul. To see Angeles Flight in action, check out this video- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hynvS0t5LFc

(Shameless Plug) For other cool stuff check out www.allendavidgallery.com and www.allenbunker.com .

Interior of Angels Flight

The coolest houses on the planet.

2011-05-07T11:54:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Dwell Magazine, this is a list of architect's websites that represent some of the most awesome houses in the world (in my opinion). There are way more than 50 houses on these sites and I have only highlighted a few. Enjoy.

These are hillside houses that is still in the planning stages. http://www.odosarchitects.com/odos/odos/residential/crk.html http://www.odosarchitects.com/odos/odos/residential/moy.html

This has to be the coolest set of stairs ever. http://www.studio010.com/index.php?/projects/mush-residence/

This house reminds me of a yodel unfolding. So of course I had to go get one. This is my favorite house.
http://www.artechnic.jp/ Check out the Shell interior. Wow!

For those sites that are difficult to build on this may be a good solution. http://www.fredericozanelato.com/casa-iasf/

Color! http://www.bow-wow.jp/profile/2005/JuicyHouse/index5.html

Lots of cool houses in Australia http://www.b-k-k.com.au/

For decorating and design ideas for your house visit www.allendavidgallery.com and www.allenbunker.com

Peace
Allen

allen david GALLERY to Host Chamber Business After Hours May 11th

2011-05-06T01:42:00.000-07:00

Allen and Priscilla Bunker, owners of the allen david GALLERY, are pleased to host the next Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours on Wednesday, May 11th from 5 - 7 p.m. Come mingle, munch and mull with your friends while contemplating art and life (and business!). The Gallery is right in downtown Boothbay Harbor in the former Ruby's-Bob's Photo-First National Groceries building at 15 Townsend Avenue.

Since their last Business After Hours at 10 McKown Street in 2008, the allen david GALLERY has moved to their new 2,000 square foot facility. The new contemporary space offers room to hang up to 500 paintings, as well as ample window displays, along with a prime location.

The GALLERY now represents 15 artists: Henry Bonner, Allen Bunker, Celene Farris, Rick Daskam, Robert Grant, Susan Hollis, Frederick Kubitz, Nancy Lee Lovley, William Maloney, Tom Puschock, Ronald Salter, Janis Sanders, Bill Tomsa, and Claire Vigneau, all with connections to Maine.

Last year the GALLERY added ladies accessories, The Edge of Art, which was quite a success! A new style of stainless steel handbag will be featured this year. The stainless steel cuffs were such a hit they couldn't keep them in stock - but, one will be offered as a door prize!

Black Sheep Weaving is a new line of handwoven wool rugs by Priscilla Bunker. This year two styles will be displayed - all created from 100% wool roving. The cream-colored rugs are made entirely from Maine wool while the others are heritage wools. Two pebble rugs have recently been juried into the River Arts Fine Art Exhibit for the month of May in Damariscotta.

Light refreshments of appetizers and sweets by Best Friends Catering will be served, along with sparkling water and assorted wines and beer. And don't forget your business cards for the door prize drawings: a stainless steel cuff ($120 value); a leather wallet ($75 value); an allen david GALLERY cap (priceless); and 1 bottle of fine wine - a 2001 Seghesio Old Vine, Sonoma County - Zinfandel (91 Wine Enthusiast rating). Plus, the Grand Prize: a 1997 Caymus Vineyards, NapaValley - Cabernet Sauvignon (91 Wine Enthusiast rating). Wow!

For more information about the allen david GALLERY, please visit their new, recently relaunched website at www.allendavidgallery.com.

Please RSVP if you would like to attend! (No need to respond if you cannot make it.) To assist your host in menu planning, please RSVP to the Chamber office by calling 633-2353 or e-mailing seamaine@boothbayharbor.com. Name tags will be printed for those members who respond up to the day before each event.

Landscape Allusions

2011-04-17T04:22:00.000-07:00

After years of painting I think I can finally describe and label what it is I am trying to do. Friend, adviser and fellow artist, Henry Bonner, (happy 88th Henry) and I were talking the other day and he said that I am doing something that no one else is doing, I thought about it and told him I was an Abstract Landscape painter. He immediately responded "your work is not abstract."

Well, I knew what he meant because it's not really abstract as you usually know what it is. Then he said it's Landscape Illusion-ism. But that's not exactly correct either because an illusion is not really there. So my wife Priscilla coined the phrase "Landscape Allusions." This is perfect. An allusion alludes to something. It is not the something, but points to it.

This painting of mine, "Freetime" (36"x36"), collection of Ms. Shontell, Arlington VA, is a perfect example of what I aspire to. Intellectually you know it's a landscape but you will never see a landscape like this on this planet. What I like most about this painting is it moves me emotionally. I would like to go there and spend some time there. What are those interesting little bits of color about? There appears to be more to see in the distance. I wonder what they are.

Thank you for your time friends. I recently launched allenbunker.com so you can see more of my work.

Why I Paint

2011-04-11T07:35:00.000-07:00

Most artists try to paint things; a boat or boats, a tree or trees, the sky, rocks, fruit, the landscape. These can be accomplished with different degrees of accuracy and to see a well done copy can sometimes leave you in awe intellectually. But seldom will it move you emotionally.

Knickercane Shadows 36"x36"

Better artists understand that the object itself is not the real concern. But the light falling on the object is what gives it life. Take the water in a harbor for example. At different times of the day, it can be blue, green, white, silver or black. The water has not changed but the light has.

I try to paint the feeling I get from a particular scene. People come to Maine not just for the good weather and spectacular landscape but to 'Get Away' or 'Get back to nature.' These are feelings or emotions. My goal as an artist is to bring the viewer back to that feeling or emotion. This is not always a pretty little emotion with a picket fence around it. Many times, especially in Maine, the feeling is intense and bold, or cold and foreboding. But then there are those gorgeous landscape skies and land and water that almost make you want to cry they are so beautiful. They are all a part of Maine and life and I would like to capture them all in my work.


Serenity Morning 36"x36"

For me, the bigger thrill still is when a collector understands what I have tried to do and gets the same emotional pull I got when I painted it, and the pull is so strong they have to have it.

All the best,
Allen

First day painting outdoors!

2011-03-17T15:01:00.000-07:00

My goal always is to paint the feeling of the place at the time I am there. I thought it would be appropriate to write about those feelings. We'll see how I do as the season gets busier.

This afternoon I painted at the Boothbay Region Land Trust Property ( http://www.bbrlt.org/bbrlt_properties.html ) Porter Preserve on Barter's Island at the Memorial Grove. It is in a forest with beautiful views of the Sheepscott River. The Memorial Grove was formed to allow people a place to reflect, remember and be inspired. The air was very still, there was no wind and the sky was blue. There were no leaves on the trees yet and there was only the memory of winter. There is a semi circle of benches made from logs and slabs of wood. There are two benches off away from the others. It seems like people have been buried here. I think a lot of people come here to remember. I'm listening to the blues on my I-pod. I think this is very appropriate. There are little spruce trees coming up here and there. I think these are a sign that life goes on and we have to also.

allen

Soon we will be painting outdoors everyday. Can't wait!

2011-03-14T13:14:00.000-07:00

Hello again!

Sorry for such a delay in posts. Although it has been a fruitful winter painting many canvases and several large commissions, I can't wait to get out of doors and paint. Our fearless leader, Corinne McIntyre, says we will be at Murray Hill Landing in East Boothbay this Wednesday morning. I have always found this to be a challenging place to paint. It's usually windy and the way the harbor comes at you into a point is different. Usually we are on the edge of a cove or on a peninsula looking out, so there is a horizon straight across and one shoreline to the side. Murray Hill has two shorelines coming at you. For some reason, this bothers me. It's hard enough to compose a scene to create a painting as it is without the extra shoreline.

The above photo is merely a memory of me painting at Memorial Park.

I am completely redoing the allen david GALLERY website and at the same time learning to design with div tags instead of tables. It's a totally different way of thinking about web design than a few years ago, but I think it will be better and add more flexibility. I hope to have that project completed in a few weeks. I'll keep you posted.

Cheers!
Allen

New work as a result of cruise to Monhegan aboard the 115' Tenacious

2010-08-24T08:10:00.000-07:00

These paintings are the result of a cruise I took aboard Dr. Ed and Marie Bosarge's 115' Kevlar Slope the Tenacious, on July 10,2010. My thanks to Ed and Marie for the inspiration this cruise provided me as an artist.

Fifty percent of the purchase price ($3800) of this last 36"x48" painting, entitled Lower Mark Island, will go to the rebuilding efforts of The Cuckold's Lighthouse Rescue. These funds will be matched two for one making the total donation to the Cuckold's $5700. You can learn more about the Cuckold's Light at http://www.cuckoldslight.org/
Thanks for your interest in my work.

New Work

2010-07-03T10:00:00.001-07:00

New paintings of Allen's: "Earth, Wind and Water" and "From The Beginning." Both 36" x 36" Both oil.

Elaine and Boo Boo

2010-06-20T07:40:00.000-07:00

Our new friends Elaine and Boo Boo looking fabulous in their new shawl.

New work in the studio

2010-06-14T03:22:00.001-07:00

This is a painting I finished last week. It's called "Red Buoy #8, Boothbay Harbor."
The painting is 57" x 75." It's not on the website yet but soon. Cheers! allen

The Edge of Art Ladies Accessories by Priscilla

2010-05-20T12:49:00.000-07:00

2010-05-20T12:35:00.001-07:00

Allen and Priscilla Bunker, owners of the allen david Gallery, have been honored with the 2010 Boothbay Harbor Chamber of Commerce Business Improvement award. The allen david Gallery is located in the heart of the downtown business area occupying the space previously outfitted by Ruby’s Got 2 Have It and its accompanying light-up torso which was stationed in one of the large windows. Many improvements have been made to the gallery space, including exposing the tin ceiling, adding curved walls, and a painting the floor. but the award could have have been won simply by removing the light up torso. Twelve artists, including the owner, now cover the walls and decorate the front windows. As an added bonus to the space, this year Priscilla has a new shop in the gallery called Ladies Accessories at The Edge Of Art by Priscilla.