calkinsART

 

is a large site, featuring the art of LARRY CALKINS, whose talents expand into several areas of artistic expression - fluently overlapping into once separate fields of creativity.

Larry is presently working on cut-out metal sculptures, reminiscent in style and content of his paintings - most of which are based on stories, telling of events - real and imagined - of the past, present or the future.

In a painting or sculpture, what appears to be light and pleasant, may actually be the recall of a complex or sad memory, maybe an astute description of a present day observation, presented with a cutting sense of humor, or maybe a dreamy reflection of what might be a fearful event, that may or may not have happened.

 

 

Paintings - are typically small or medium sized and packed with story lines. Each detail has purpose, either adding to - or distracting from - the tale. The paintings are mounted on a wooden framework that elevates the painting off the wall, encased in a cloth covered frame that is typically stained and then covered with beeswax. Many of the smaller paintings are sealed with beeswax, a material that finds frequent use in Larry’s art, most notably in his encaustic work that has found many admirers.

 

Sculptures - are usually made of metal and cloth. Larry creates his signature dresses out of cotton fabric and then treats the sewn shapes with any pigment available and/or suitable, from dirt to clay to ashes. The shapes are coated with beeswax and the surface is then worked until a satisfactory result is achieved, both in color and texture: a look and feel of aged leather. 

The surface may or may not be the base for additional clues: crude metal buttons sewn on, or photographs; sometimes transfer prints of drawings, or maybe woodcut prints directly onto the surface.            

Stands are made of rusted metal, welded together, each one unique and adding character to the appearance of the sculpture. Some of the dress sculptures are free standing, others are made to hang on metal hangers on the wall.

 

Books

By far the most complex combinations of sculptural and painted works are Larry Calkins’ books. Small in size, at approx. 12x16 inches, these books are typically encased in a metal box, hand made of rusted metal sheets, and filled with numerous paintings and drawings held together in the form of a book, either as pages or in accordion style.

Usually there are compartments that hold small sculptural elements or modified found objects. Though unassuming from the outside, these books open up a small universe of deep creative thought and expression.

 

 

Photography - Larry has a natural gift with the camera, not only being a keen observer but also through his immaculate traditional composition, his innovative photographic techniques and his exploratory styles of printing. From tireless documentation of his childhood community to haunting still-life arrangements, from vivid character studies to humorous animal photos, it’s all there, crisp and clear. Some of his photos are now available through Gallery Stock, NYC.

 

 

In the manipulated imagery, the final photograph is as much a product of what Larry captured thru the lens as it is of how the negative was treated in the darkroom; manipulation can take 3 or 4 stages, each taking it one step further into abstraction.

 

The drawings - are fluid, funny, poignant, disturbing - precise in capturing a situation and making a point. They are a spontaneous art form in themselves, trusting the immediate expression of the drawn line and shamelessly exploiting the moment. Many of them are monotypes, some highlighted with a few colors. All in all, they are vibrant, captivating and humorous. we have presented an online “sketchbook” at noticewhatyounotice.com

 

Thank you for your visit and your interest.
 

The website calkinsART consists of several sites that were created since 1996, expanding along with Larry’s body of work. If you reach older sites like the showcase at Tripod, you will not find links back to the main site at calkinsart.net or .com. Please bookmark (ctrl - d) this site for ease of navigation.

 

COPYRIGHT larry and sabine calkins, 2003/09 for the content of all calkinsART sites: (we own the domains calkinsart.com and .net and noticewhatyounotice.com))

last updated: 2-5-09