Edward Hester

Painting a Series

2011-03-30T14:14:00.000-07:00

Years ago, I recognized that I loved experimenting. Trying different things. Not surprising, my art work can best be described as eclectic. The closest thing I have come to painting a series is to return, loosely, to "View of Mombacus Mountain." from time to time. Not interested in replicating a photographic image, simply using Mombacus Mountain as a stepping off point to experiment. This is one variation.

2011-03-30T13:52:00.001-07:00

ABSTRACT ART "Kickin Down The Cobblestones"

For me, one of the most fascinating aspects of the art world is the different interpretations artists and viewers give for the same work of art. Even more so for abstract art. I'm aware that viewers seem more likely to appreciate abstract art if they give themselves extra time to discover the appeal. So I try to remember, especially when creating abstract art, that I am requiring more effort from the viewer than I would want. Although I like to think that my work is self-evident, sometimes I miss the mark. Perhaps that's why most people prefer a descriptive title.

2011-03-29T07:37:00.000-07:00

The title Majestic Minimalism was too pretentious. We invited the viewing public at the Pendleton Final Fridays to suggest a new name. The final choice was Modern Minimalism. Although it does not appear that many of the Pendleton artists are interested in trying their hand at this modified version of Minimalism, the idea may start them down a new and exciting path.

(new) Minimalism

2010-09-26T13:15:00.000-07:00

The new art movement, a modification of Minimalism, sounds too pretentious being titled Majestic Minimalism. Minimalism is, after all, extreme simplification of form and color. Final Friday for September and October at the Pendleton Art Center we are inviting the public to help name the movement. As of today, only Denise Adams, Barbara Stephens and I are interested in trying out a new art form. The other 80 or so artists at the Pendleton are too busy becoming rich and famous to try something different. Or perhaps just intimidated by Minimalism.

Majestic Minimalism

2010-08-01T13:35:00.000-07:00

In order to get attention in todays art world it is necessary to adhere to these basic requirements:

Develope a recognizeable signature style

Create work that advances art history

Have some art expert declare the work worthwhile

Have someone write about the art

In that case, here is the invention of a new art form. (although with the hundred of thousands of artists at work, it is not at all unlikely that someone else has already thought of this).

Majestic Minimalism

The art movement Minimalism can be described as a movement and style of art from the 20th century which attempts to reduce art to the basic geometric shapes with the fewest colors, lines and textures. Minimal art does not seek to be representational of any object. Also called ABC art. Minimalism is the extreme simplification of form and color.

Majestic Minimalism, however, although tending toward simplicity has the following requirements:

The artists uses only one hue
Only one tint or shade of that hue (this is not grisaille painting)
Only one texture (impasto, or sand, or glass beads, etc.)
Only one method of application to a substrate (one brush size, one size palet knife, one size sponge/cloth etc.)

The purpose of Majestic Minimalis is to create a satisfying work of art, a simple expression of a complex thought within prescribed parameters. The required singularities should encourage the artist to expand the limits of their imagination.

2010-05-27T14:45:00.000-07:00

2010-05-20T07:15:00.000-07:00

2009-03-09T18:47:00.000-07:00

2009-03-09T18:46:00.000-07:00

2009-03-09T18:42:00.000-07:00

In Defense of the Eclectic Artist

2009-03-09T15:05:00.000-07:00

Many art professionals completely ignore any artist who does not develop a distinctive visual style.
They remain oblivious to those artists whose motivation for creating art is not to create art history, or develop a signature style, but to create a work of art simply because it pleases them -- and hopefully will please others.

If an artist wishes to develop a distinctive style all they need to do is relax and doodle. The natural human inclination is to repeat something you feel has been successful. Since repetition is second nature to most people, a signature style will naturally emerge.

The difficult part is to avoid repetition. This is especially true for paintings that one sells or for which one recieves some sort of acclaim. If your favorite color is blue, chances are you'll have a lot of blue in your paintings. If you are pleased by the texture of your most recent painting, it is not surprising that your next painting will have a similar, if not identical, texture. If you discover that your landscapes get more attention than your portraits, then landscapes become your specialty. And so forth.

What would a print look like as a painting? How would that painting look in different colors? How would that sculpture look as a painting. Since I can't afford the work of world famous artists whose work I enjoy, I paint a variation for myself. By that I don't mean I attempt an exact copy, but a variation using those parts that I find most pleasing. (music composers are particularly adept at variations on a theme).

Visitors to my studio at the Pendelton Art Center in Cincinnati are often perplexed with the variety of images on my studio walls. The answer is simple. I'm an eclectic painter and printmaker and I love variety -- and I love to experiment, to problem solve. I'm not a specialist.

I paint in oil, acrylic, pastels. I'm an etcher, engraver, and do woodcuts and collographs as well.
I'm enchanted by the visual arts.

For those artists who choose to be eclectic, perseverance is a must. Although limited, there is a market for the eclectic artist. And occassionaly being eclectic has its advantages. When I was living in New York State, I was juried in to several shows at the Woodstock Artists Association and Museum as much because I had something in my art inventory that suited the monthly theme as for the quality of my work.