Cliff Kearns
- Mixed Media
- Painting
'I' - THOUGHT and WORD
This Series of mixed media Paintings uses words and texture as a principal element in the Work. The primary strength lies in the fusion of text and texture, effortlessly navigating the realms of abstract expressionism and typography.
The figure utilized to represent the "I" in each word in each painting cleverly doubles as a representation of an individual. The choice of the wording is profoundly introspective and prompts a metacognitive reflection on identity and being. This Series continues to incorporate sequential numbering within each image.
I come to these Series of Number Works during a lengthy career as a fine art painter and after an even longer career as a commissioned Artist and Illustrator working on projects for General Motors, Proctor and Gamble, 3MCo. and UWO. Best known for his Marathon of Hope Portrait of Terry Fox, Cliff and his wife Mary Margaret moved to Vancouver from Ontario five years ago. The new environment and his own Soul Search has helped to inspire these Number Series.
artist contact info
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Black is White/ White is Black
Black is White/ White is Black - 20" x 20" x 1.5" - Mixed Media on canvas The brushwork in the background is expressive and dynamic, with textures that suggest an undercurrent of energy behind the bold textual facade. world. The marriage of textual art and abstract expressionism present in this piece triggers a cerebral dance within the viewer, prompting contemplation on the duality simplistically suggested by the words "BLACK" and "WHITE".
‘I THiNK
'I THiNK - #258 - 48" x 48" x 1.5" The artwork features the word "THINK" prominently in the center, with the letter "I" boldly emphasized in a darker shade. The textured surface colors in the background are muted and subtle, interplay of various tones giving the impression of a thought-provoking canvas The success of this piece lies in its simplicity and its command for the viewer’s attention. The text is straightforward and unambiguous, yet the textured background adds depth and layers of interpretation. This juxtaposition creates a balance that is both arresting and calming.
‘I MEDiTATE’
25" x 25" x 1.5" - Mixed Media on canvas This artwork presents a textured surface, rendered in predominantly turquoise, blues, over deeper purples with hints of pinks and lime green peaking through. The texture itself is refined while invoking a tactile quality that begs for closer examination. The word "MEDITATE" is very subtly integrated into the composition, with the letter 'i' standing out in WHITE in the centre of the artwork. The 'i' is most certainly referencing the personal and could even represent an individual or person.
‘I THiNK – #254’
'I THiNK' - #254' - Mixed media on canvas - 25"x 25"x 1.5" - in float frame The use of texture in this painting is profoundly engaging. The bold and varied strokes produce a tactile surface that invites viewers not just to see, but to feel the artwork with their eyes. The strokes vary in direction and size, implying a vigorous process of application, yet they are harmoniously integrated into a cohesive whole. This approach resonates with the works of the Abstract Expressionist movement, where the action of painting is as significant as the final product. The layering of colors and the overlap of brushstrokes demonstrate a fearless approach to composition, emboldened by the tactile quality of the thick paint.
‘I PAiNT PINK’
'I PAiNT PINK' - 24" x 24" x 1.5" - Mixed Media on canvas. This piece effectively captures the viewer's curiosity through its simplicity and focus on texture and text. The choice of pink, a color often associated with warmth and passion, imbues the work with an underlying vibrancy and energy. The singular focus on the word "PAINT" coupled with the intriguing background suggests a reflective commentary on the act of painting itself—highlighting the medium's physicality and the artist's deliberate engagement with their craft. The word "PAINT," centrally positioned, draws the viewer's attention to the fundamental act of creation that this medium entails.
‘I MEDiTATE’
'I MEDiTATE' - 20"x 20" x 1.5 - Mixed Media on canvas This artwork presents a textured surface, rendered in a predominantly soft, pastel palette with a mix of subdued pinks, purples, and faint hints of blues and greens. The texture itself is minutely detailed. Dominating the center, the word "MEDITATE" is subtly integrated into the composition, with the letter 'i' standing out due to its blue to purple gradient and being adorned by a dot, suggesting a point of focus or contemplation. Or, it could be a person.
‘I BELiEVE’
'I BELiEVE' - 20 x 20 x 1.5 - Mixed Media on Canvas The word "BELiEVE" subtly embedded within the textured expanse serves as a powerful message, encouraging viewers to delve deeper into their perceptions and beliefs. The blending of purples, pinks, and blues creates an ethereal, almost dreamlike atmosphere. This piece demonstrates a mastery of color harmonization, where each shade transitions seamlessly into the next, evoking a sense of tranquility and unity. The strategic prominence of the "I" in contrasting colors adds a layer of personalized interpretation, perhaps prompting self-reflection about individual convictions and identity.
‘I AM’
'I AM' - 20" x 20" x 1.5" - Acrylic on canvas The choice of wording "I AM" is profoundly introspective and prompts a reflection on identity and being. It is commendable how the plainness of the text contrasts with the chaotic expressiveness of the background, denoting the steadfast nature of self amidst life's turbulence. In engaging with this work, the primary strength lies in the fusion of text and texture, effortlessly navigating the realms of abstract expressionism and typography.
I THiNK in Pink
I THiNK in Pink- Acrylic on canvas - 20" x 20" x 1.5" The use of texture in this painting is profoundly engaging. The bold and varied strokes produce a tactile surface that invites viewers not just to see, but to feel the artwork with their eyes. The choice of the predominantly pink palette is nuanced. Pink, often associated with tenderness and nurturing, could also be read as representing the blurring of lines in societal expectations - challenging notions of femininity and strength. The word "THINK" serves both as the focal point and as an evocative command. It compels the viewer to engage intellectually with the work and to consider the layers of meaning beyond the aesthetic.
I PAiNT
I PAiNT- Mixed Media on canvas - 20" x 20" x 1.5" The tactile quality of the piece is notable—it invites the viewer to not just see but to almost feel the artwork, an element that is quite engaging and thought-provoking. The incorporation of the word "PAINT" cleverly bridges the gap between the artwork as an object and the action of its creation. This metacognitive approach, where the content of the painting reflects on the nature of painting itself, is insightful and laden with potential meanings.
Black is White/ White is Black
Black is White/ White is Black - 20" x 20" x 1.5" - Mixed Media on canvas The brushwork in the background is expressive and dynamic, with textures that suggest an undercurrent of energy behind the bold textual facade. world. The marriage of textual art and abstract expressionism present in this piece triggers a cerebral dance within the viewer, prompting contemplation on the duality simplistically suggested by the words "BLACK" and "WHITE".
‘I THiNK
'I THiNK - #258 - 48" x 48" x 1.5" The artwork features the word "THINK" prominently in the center, with the letter "I" boldly emphasized in a darker shade. The textured surface colors in the background are muted and subtle, interplay of various tones giving the impression of a thought-provoking canvas The success of this piece lies in its simplicity and its command for the viewer’s attention. The text is straightforward and unambiguous, yet the textured background adds depth and layers of interpretation. This juxtaposition creates a balance that is both arresting and calming.
‘I MEDiTATE’
25" x 25" x 1.5" - Mixed Media on canvas This artwork presents a textured surface, rendered in predominantly turquoise, blues, over deeper purples with hints of pinks and lime green peaking through. The texture itself is refined while invoking a tactile quality that begs for closer examination. The word "MEDITATE" is very subtly integrated into the composition, with the letter 'i' standing out in WHITE in the centre of the artwork. The 'i' is most certainly referencing the personal and could even represent an individual or person.
‘I THiNK – #254’
'I THiNK' - #254' - Mixed media on canvas - 25"x 25"x 1.5" - in float frame The use of texture in this painting is profoundly engaging. The bold and varied strokes produce a tactile surface that invites viewers not just to see, but to feel the artwork with their eyes. The strokes vary in direction and size, implying a vigorous process of application, yet they are harmoniously integrated into a cohesive whole. This approach resonates with the works of the Abstract Expressionist movement, where the action of painting is as significant as the final product. The layering of colors and the overlap of brushstrokes demonstrate a fearless approach to composition, emboldened by the tactile quality of the thick paint.
‘I PAiNT PINK’
'I PAiNT PINK' - 24" x 24" x 1.5" - Mixed Media on canvas. This piece effectively captures the viewer's curiosity through its simplicity and focus on texture and text. The choice of pink, a color often associated with warmth and passion, imbues the work with an underlying vibrancy and energy. The singular focus on the word "PAINT" coupled with the intriguing background suggests a reflective commentary on the act of painting itself—highlighting the medium's physicality and the artist's deliberate engagement with their craft. The word "PAINT," centrally positioned, draws the viewer's attention to the fundamental act of creation that this medium entails.
‘I MEDiTATE’
'I MEDiTATE' - 20"x 20" x 1.5 - Mixed Media on canvas This artwork presents a textured surface, rendered in a predominantly soft, pastel palette with a mix of subdued pinks, purples, and faint hints of blues and greens. The texture itself is minutely detailed. Dominating the center, the word "MEDITATE" is subtly integrated into the composition, with the letter 'i' standing out due to its blue to purple gradient and being adorned by a dot, suggesting a point of focus or contemplation. Or, it could be a person.
‘I BELiEVE’
'I BELiEVE' - 20 x 20 x 1.5 - Mixed Media on Canvas The word "BELiEVE" subtly embedded within the textured expanse serves as a powerful message, encouraging viewers to delve deeper into their perceptions and beliefs. The blending of purples, pinks, and blues creates an ethereal, almost dreamlike atmosphere. This piece demonstrates a mastery of color harmonization, where each shade transitions seamlessly into the next, evoking a sense of tranquility and unity. The strategic prominence of the "I" in contrasting colors adds a layer of personalized interpretation, perhaps prompting self-reflection about individual convictions and identity.
‘I AM’
'I AM' - 20" x 20" x 1.5" - Acrylic on canvas The choice of wording "I AM" is profoundly introspective and prompts a reflection on identity and being. It is commendable how the plainness of the text contrasts with the chaotic expressiveness of the background, denoting the steadfast nature of self amidst life's turbulence. In engaging with this work, the primary strength lies in the fusion of text and texture, effortlessly navigating the realms of abstract expressionism and typography.
I THiNK in Pink
I THiNK in Pink- Acrylic on canvas - 20" x 20" x 1.5" The use of texture in this painting is profoundly engaging. The bold and varied strokes produce a tactile surface that invites viewers not just to see, but to feel the artwork with their eyes. The choice of the predominantly pink palette is nuanced. Pink, often associated with tenderness and nurturing, could also be read as representing the blurring of lines in societal expectations - challenging notions of femininity and strength. The word "THINK" serves both as the focal point and as an evocative command. It compels the viewer to engage intellectually with the work and to consider the layers of meaning beyond the aesthetic.
I PAiNT
I PAiNT- Mixed Media on canvas - 20" x 20" x 1.5" The tactile quality of the piece is notable—it invites the viewer to not just see but to almost feel the artwork, an element that is quite engaging and thought-provoking. The incorporation of the word "PAINT" cleverly bridges the gap between the artwork as an object and the action of its creation. This metacognitive approach, where the content of the painting reflects on the nature of painting itself, is insightful and laden with potential meanings.
Black is White/ White is Black
Black is White/ White is Black - 20" x 20" x 1.5" - Mixed Media on canvas The brushwork in the background is expressive and dynamic, with textures that suggest an undercurrent of energy behind the bold textual facade. world. The marriage of textual art and abstract expressionism present in this piece triggers a cerebral dance within the viewer, prompting contemplation on the duality simplistically suggested by the words "BLACK" and "WHITE".
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