Art can be mighty strange sometimes...

Not that this is terribly big news, but I found it to be somewhat funny. As many of you know, I've been working my tail off on what I'm calling Organic Minimalism. It has been my sole focus for about a year now and 20 pieces will make up my show that opens a week from today. When I first moved to DC almost four years ago, I was making these drippy, abstract paintings influenced by Pollock and Rothko. They were fun to make and I still enjoy looking at them today. However, I felt they were a little lightweight and moved on to working with wood and holes.

Last night I had an art collector come over to my apartment to see my work. After viewing all of my work and hearing me talk about it, we began to talk business. And of course it makes perfect sense that a style of painting I abandoned some time ago would grab the collector's attention the most and he would purchase two of them! The money from the sale is far from enough to quit my day job, but it is always a wonderful thing when someone really likes your work and will pay their hard-earned money for it. It is quite reassuring.

The good news is that the collector really seemed to like my Organic Minimalism work as well and is anxious to see the work hanging on the wall at the show (so am I!). My fingers are crossed. If you can spare two fingers, will you cross yours too?

It was somewhat sad to these works leave my home, but I bid them farewell and I hope that the collector enjoys them for many years to come!!

Blue
Tempera and acrylic on canvas
20" x 20"
2002

Black
Tempera and acrylic on canvas
30" x 30"
2002

So long, buddies!

Comments

[Lenny]

Painting rules dude...

[dean]

JT, congratulations and to a very successful show.
keep up the great work/blog

[wwc]

very cool - Im sorry to see ol' blue go too...

[Zeke]

Howdy!

My fingers are crossed up here. And congrats on the sales.

[J.T. Kirkland]

Thanks everyone!

To Lenny - I agree painting rules... and I think of my work in Organic Minimalism as painting so hopefully good luck will follow. Of course, this is a bit more of a stretch in terms of defining painting than tempera and acrylic on canvas. But you know me, forget tradition!

[Lisa]

Hi. I was just searching the web for Minimalist art and found your blog. I'm trying to educate people about Modern Art within my own blog, Practicing Magic, and was planning on writing about Minimalism next. Maybe you'd want to do an interview?:)
I'll be back to read more here. Nice to have stumbled onto your blog.

[Whooda Thunkit]

They just had to be aged to be truely appreciated; like fine wine.

[James W. Bailey]

J.T.,

The rumor on the streets is that Charles Saatchi bought your pieces. Are you willing to confirm if this is true? If so, please tell us that your sales contract stipulates that "Blue" and "Black" may not be exported to a foreign country. Billionaire Europeans buying up American art and hording it overseas is untenable, especially when we have plenty of potential billionaire American collectors who could probably be talked into building museums in America to house their collections - The Donald comes to mind.

I beg you to not sell out your soul to Saatchi - unless, of course, he's willing to finance the addition of a wing of the new MOMA that would house his collection of your work. In that case, offer your soul for pennies on eternity!

Seriously, congratulations!

James

[J.T. Kirkland]

Well, I shouldn't say anything, but you know the Triumph of Painting shows Saatchi has been putting on? What started off as three installments of the show has turned into four. Yep, that's right. Saatchi is dedicating all of County Hall galleries to my work for Triumph of Painting 4!!

Saatchi promised me a private jet to bring over all of my friends. James, buddy, I wouldn't make the trip without you!