Tres and Tom paint together
Last night I was the proverbial "kid in the candy store". This is how it all happened. Last fall I met
Tres Taylor at Art Walk. You met him on Feb.24th as one of my 100 Strangers. Well I went by his studio on Wednesday and asked if I could photograph him actually painting. He invited me back last night. When I showed up at his very cool and funky studio near my home, I learned that he and another well known Birmingham artist,
Tom Findlay, are the featured artists in a rather unique combination art/ ballet event coming up at the
Virginia Samford Theatre. Tom and Tres will actually paint during a ballet performance! The catch is that they have to completely paint about 6 huge canvases and then paint the whole thing black in 30 minutes! Tres will paint one night and Tom the next. What I got to witness was their "dress rehearsal" - to the music. The whole process was fascinating. Just watching them experiment with the paint and listen to them giving each other advice was an absolute delight for me, the frustrated painter. Neither artist was painting in their usual "style" and that was an eye opener as well. I also got a good talking to about seeking out my own style ( painting and photography) and not letting others influence what I create. Let's just say it was a night I will not soon forget. Thanks Tres and Tom for letting me photograph both of you doing what you do best, making me feel so welcome , AND letting me offer some advice. I have a LOT of nerve!!!!
Tom
Tres, this is my new found "style". Hope you approve!
Tom
24 comments:
Wow, your hundred strangers project does make you meet people, interesting guys these painters!
While I was thinking of a script for the magnum opus of a shadow post, you've already moved on.
Are you having FUN or what!
You have such a great talent for connecting with people - so thanks for including us.
V,
thank you for this photos and words!
Love "Action Painting" from artists in style of American Abstract Painting. I do much like Drip-Painting (Paul Jackson Pollock).
Here is my fave, if you like...
Juergen
Totally cool... it must have been an awesome experience...
Nice panning!
Oh Virg, I just love all of these. The third photo is so inspired.
Blue for me and green for you today!
Okay, life is settling down a bit now. What a great opportunity you had. As you know, I think shooting artists and their work is a whole lot of fun. I particularly like the last picture. It puts a new spin on the term "action painting."
What a fun thing for you to get to do! I think it's always good to collaborate with fellow artists and can bring your work to a higher level. I like all these photos, but the last one has the feel of a painting!
That third one really does make me want to paint. I love them all, V.
How exciting to see your fun evening with these guys! I really enjoyed this post. I don't care what Tres may think, I luv that last shot. If we take the time to see with our OWN eyes, then no one else's vision is going to look like ours, even if you are shooting or painting right next to a good buddy. The best influences are the ones that keep poking us to be ourselves. I think we all imitate our influences for a time but at some point we find and appreciate our own voice, and later test it to see if we can sing a few new tunes. :-) I love seeing your shots!
-Kim
It must have been a great experience , i love the photos , would like more ;)
Wow! It must have been quite a challange for them! Great performance and wonderful shots, especially the last! :-)
WHEW! I woke up this morning with second thoughts about that last photo. I almost took it down and put up a "normal" one! THanks for your input everyone. The next time I get all stressed about having to scrounge up a photo every day for this blog, I'm going to think about the fun I had with Tom and Tres. If it weren't for BADP I wouldn't have had the opportunity!!!
Since when were you normal?
My word is "sewin," just sittin' here stichin' and sewin'.
Ah,
You have a good point.
I've just had a babooshka brainwave. Can we see your artwork? I am so blaise about artists work (and photographers) living in a house where my so called living room is a bombsite of papers,paint, canvas, lenses,roughs etc. I tend to forget the wonder of it all if you aren't in that profession. Interesting to see what they're doing and how though. I take Gary's work for granted seeing the roughs that when I'm on a bus and someone is veiwing his stuff in the papers or magazines I just see the sketch of it taking up floor space. Back to my initial idea. V's artwork? Qui.
Oh B,
Sadly you won't see that anytime soon. I'm at a place where I need some help and I"m not happy with what I produce by myself. I'm thinking I can con these two guys into helping me find my inner "artiste". Stay tuned.
What an interesting experience! Must have been inspiring being around these guys.
Virignia, still stylin' as ever!
That is a unique experience, Virginia!! Your style is clever as ever! Have a good weekend.
Hey V - Don't question your instincts - they're always good - even when YOU don't think so. Great series here.....
Inner outer artist poppycock. Show us the artwork! I used to paint leather jackets for the rock/metal crowd. Long time ago. I do hear ya though. I used to draw for me, for fun but the Barker one blows me out of the water. Have to try and find one of those jackets I painted.
B,
Listen to me. I don't HAVE any artwork to show you! And I probably wouldn't show it if I did! I wouldn't draw if I had Barker in my house either.Talk about intimidating!
What a great idea. ballet + painting. I love it!
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