Rob's Artist Statement

Artist’s Statement

I. These paintings came in two massive heaves – virtual paroxysms of creative energy. The smaller size batch was created over a two week period at the end of Summer 2007. The large size batch was created between Christmas 2007 and January 3, 2008. I’m glad it’s over because the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual focus required to paint this way isn’t exactly Big Fun. I paint on the floor and it’s actually exhausting. When I go to bed after a day of painting I see lots of bizarre lines, colors, and squiggles that keep me up. My body is sore.

II. So what’s the point? Because I love the way colors dance and flow! Because I love the way what I thought was going to happen didn’t happen. There is no plan here. I have no idea what the paintings will look like and often, when I feel I am getting comfortable, I will destroy what’s on the canvas. Our garden hose was a frequent tool – several of these paintings were amply sprayed down. A sprayed down canvas will often reveal new and exciting textures – a place to start over. Renewal, destruction, resurrection of an idea.

III. I love water. Water is life and so somewhere in all my paintings is water. The little paintings are first soaked with water. I use watercolors. I use blues, greens, and purples. Water replenishes and refreshes. Water heals. Water is life. Living water.

IV. Painting is making the invisible visible. Painting is translating thought into action and back again.

V. When I was in elementary school my art teacher sent me to the principal for making a colossal mess with glue and paint and getting the counters messy. Things haven’t changed much – I still make a huge mess and usually I don’t get into trouble, except with my wife from time to time because of the paint stain on the carpet in our basement.

VI. To me, these paintings are landscapes – but of what? They are interior landscapes. They are the topology of my mind and spirit. Each of us has an interior topology. My goal is to share that topology and map with you. I do that through my music, art, words, and actions. That is my life. I am interested in your topology, too.

VII. Tools of the trade: Acrylics and watercolors – all are mixed directly on the canvas or paper. There is no pre-mixing. Paper towels, hose, scraping tools, brushes, Modge Podge, heart, soul, and lots of water.

VIII. My paintings are music: color first, energy and motion second, form third. I’m interested in: How does spontaneous creation, aka improvisation, become a composition? The great composer Schoenberg described composition as “frozen improvisation.” This is action frozen in time, unlock.

IX. These paintings are about process. Engaging the materials as if for the first and last time. Nothing is rejected. Everything is useful. All is good.

X. When I improvise music I remind myself – finish the line. Let it run its course. I feel the same way when I paint. Get out of The Way – let the painting paint itself, let it run its course.

Rob Levit January 2008