Joy

Biomorphic abstractions by JW Harrington

Over the past two years, I’ve pursued color-rich biomorphic abstraction. These carefully crafted, curvilinear forms interact in visually playful ways, sometimes portrayed against wildly gestural backgrounds. The forms are quite abstract, some seeming more animal-like, some more plant-like. I’ve rendered these compositions in acrylic paints, oil paints, or oil and cold wax. Below: Polendra, Parallel Lives, Orbus, and The Color of Void.

Why engage in fanciful biomorphic forms? Viewers are more likely to uncover (within themselves, really) meaning and interaction when the forms seem organic – but are sufficiently vaguely rendered to prevent ascribing characteristics of any particular species. The paintings are also just plain fun to observe!

Through June and July, ryan james fine arts will present several of these large-scale works at its Belltown capsule gallery at 2207 Second Ave. in Seattle’s Belltown (Omni Dental), open MWF 7:30-4; TTh 9-6.  Take advantage of Belltown's second-Friday art walk from 6-9pm on 6/13 and 7/11 -- I'll be there and would love to see you!

"Joy at days' end" by JW Harrington

Joy at days’ end. Oil on canvas, 24”x 24”x 1.5”. $500

I’m excited about this new painting for three reasons: it reflects the day I retired from 37 years as an academic (hence the “days’ end”); it’s the first time I used classic oil-painting techniques of underpainting, layering, and glazing; and I think it’s the best portrait I’ve produced so far.

When I started painting almost nine years ago, I declared a goal that within 10 years, I wanted to be able to enter my studio and undertake a meaningful non-objective abstraction, a landscape, or a portrait with confidence, with my choice based on what I felt was needed rather than on fear of working in any particular genre. Of course this painting isn’t perfect by my standards, but I feel good about my progress.

Available — though I’ll be displaying it in a July-August show in Tacoma — contact me at jw@jwharrington.com