These are two recent absract seascapes. They are currently on view at the DCAC in Adams Morgan, DC until October 10th for their “Elements: State of Matter Show”.

Medias - 2010 - 55" x 6" Encaustic on Manipulated Found Wood

Forgotten - 26" x 8" - 2010 - Encaustic on Found Wood

Here is what Pam Rogers, the gallery’s curator had to say about my work at the show:

“Vincent has taken the encaustic process to a new place with his abstracted panels. Vincent explores his interest in the “spaces that are tangible here below our own horizon.” This desire is often expressed in imagery suggestive of the ocean and its allure. It is the unknown aspect that makes Vincent’s work so compelling; the shapes and colors with soft welcoming edges suggest something to the viewer that cannot quite be immediately identified. The smaller more intimate pieces embrace the concept of mystery and the unknown. Vincent has enveloped these sumptuous little encaustic works in velvety delicate layers to convey water. Yet we know there is something just below the surface. His subtle play with color, creates strong powerful shapes that bridge the realm between two and three dimensional work. While the wax medium that Vincent manipulates is seductive in its own right, it is clearly just a vehicle that he uses to invite the viewer into his personal aquatic works.” – Pam Rogers, Artist and Curator

Bonus!!!! Cool link :  China Deep Sea Tour

I had a piece juried into the Allentown Museum’s Open Call for Artists. It was a real treat to turn the corner in the museum and see my piece through a room of respectable Impressionist paintings. The piece titled “Evaporation” is 18.5″ sawn disc of raw steel. I cut a series of these discs and then spent about a month experimenting with different formations of rust on their surfaces. Through the process I learned how to make different tones, patterns, and colors of rust through the oxidation process. When the rust reached a point where I had something worth hanging on the wall and looking at I stopped the oxidation. Using two opposing materials, steel and water, the discs become maps to how the evaporation and oxidation processes evolved.

When at the opening in Allentown, I walked past two observers who were debating about whether or not “Evaporation” was a piece of art. One was for it, one against. This was a great thing to covertly witness as the creator. I was delighted to be reminded that not all observers rely on museum curator’s to tell them what art is. It also made me realize, that maybe this piece was more about the art viewing process then the art making process. My mark making process consisted of pouring water on the metal surface, leaving wet rags of different textures until they dried up, and sandwiching water between the discs and the cement floor of my studio. My medium was timing. The making process was more about the decision to stop or rebegin a process which I had limited control over. So as much as I had my hand in facilitating the oxidation, I was going through the same process as these observers in my own studio. This isn’t something new for artists. We have all stood in our studio’s looking at our hard work wondering the same things. Is this art?