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“Poppies and Pomegranate” acrylic on board by Angus Wilson

I first encountered the vibrant paintings of Angus Wilson during my Gallery Tour of Beaver Creek , where he is represented by Walt Horton Fine Art.  I was immediately struck by their stunning colors and energetic compositions.  Angus’ imagery successfully walks the fine line between abstraction and realism.  The viewer immediately knows what they are looking at, but is compelled to linger and explore the familiar subject presented with a fresh approach.  His work evokes a joyous calm, and I am continually amazed at the variety of his portfolio.

“Pottery with Jug and Fruit” acrylic on board by Angus Wilson

To better understand his unique process, follow his creative pursuits on his blog and Facebook page.  What you will find so interesting about Angus is his honesty regarding his work.  He very openly invites his audience into his studio, creative process, and busy schedule, allowing us to view the life of a Fine Art Painter.  Whether it is a gallery demonstration, a day celebrating paintings back from framing, or simply an afternoon contemplating in his favorite chair, Angus is genuine about his experiences. I’ve had the opportunity to correspond with Angus, and I would like to share some of his insights. Elysian:”What artists are the biggest influences on your work?”

Angus: “Many compare my work to Matisse or even VanGogh; it’s nice company to be in, but in truth I’m not aware of my work having sprung directly from any single artist or style.  Producing a unique and singular voice within my work has always been important to me and developing a style that speaks too closely to another artist’s work has no appeal to me.  Perhaps I would say I’m an artist of the modern age- My art has been born from a ‘Google’-like approach, where a variety of artists, paintings and media got chewed up in my garbled head and out came the work I produce now.  So, when asked who I feel has influenced my work?  I invariably begin to list past painters and works I have loved and admired: the Glasgow boys, especially the colorful still lifes of  Samuel Peploe , Mark Rothko , sculptures of Henry Moore, and Joan Eardley, particularly her early paintings of Scottish children.”

“Tulips with Color” by Angus Wilson

Elysian: “On average, how many hours a week to you spend in your studio painting?” Angus: “I spend every morning and the first part of the afternoon in my studio (Monday-Friday).  Work tends to stop around 2 since I pick up my kids from school at 3.  I then return to my studio for an hour or two most evenings.  I produce about one and a half paintings a week, but this is very variable, dependent on size and complexity.” Elysian: “What inspires you and keeps your imagery fresh?” Angus: “Despite focusing so intently on still life paintings, I rarely get listless about the subject matter.  I’m always looking for a new color scheme or perhaps a new plate or item of pottery that excites me and is crying out to be painted.  From time to time I notice my work tailing off, and at that point I always produce a new photo shoot of still life subjects.  This process always energizes and revitalizes my creative juices for the next painting.”

Elysian: “You have an impressive dossier of gallery representation, including Paul Scott Gallery in Arizona, New Masters Gallery and Gallery i Fine Art in California, Warm Springs Gallery and Chasen Galleries in Virginia, as well as Walt Horton Fine Art in Colorado, but when did you sell your very first painting?”

“Fruit and Flowers on Bird Cloth” by Angus Wilson

Angus: “I sold my first paintings to my brother when I was a student.  He fortunately was blessed with deep pockets, a kindly heart and a tolerance for some of my early mediocre paintings!” Elysian: “What music are you listening to in the studio right now?”

Angus: “The curse of an ipod is you can have so much music at your finger tips.  I listen to a wide and varied selection of music, from classical and jazz all the way through to some pretty trite pop.  I also listen to NPR and some BBC radio comedy shows.  These days I find I listen to a lot of folk or acoustic music with strong vocalists, but perhaps my most favored artist through most of my years has been Tom Waits, especially his mid-career stuff.”

I look forward to following the progression of Angus’ work and hope to catch up with him again in the future!  If you would like to see more, please view his website at http://www.anguspaintings.com/ , follow him on his blog at http://anguswilsonstudio.blogspot.com/ and on Facebook at Angus Wilson Studio.

“Poppies and Pomegranate” acrylic on board by Angus Wilson

I first encountered the vibrant paintings of Angus Wilson during my Gallery Tour of Beaver Creek , where he is represented by Walt Horton Fine Art.  I was immediately struck by their stunning colors and energetic compositions.  Angus’ imagery successfully walks the fine line between abstraction and realism.  The viewer immediately knows what they are looking at, but is compelled to linger and explore the familiar subject presented with a fresh approach.  His work evokes a joyous calm, and I am continually amazed at the variety of his portfolio.

“Pottery with Jug and Fruit” acrylic on board by Angus Wilson

To better understand his unique process, follow his creative pursuits on his blog and Facebook page.  What you will find so interesting about Angus is his honesty regarding his work.  He very openly invites his audience into his studio, creative process, and busy schedule, allowing us to view the life of a Fine Art Painter.  Whether it is a gallery demonstration, a day celebrating paintings back from framing, or simply an afternoon contemplating in his favorite chair, Angus is genuine about his experiences. I’ve had the opportunity to correspond with Angus, and I would like to share some of his insights. Elysian:”What artists are the biggest influences on your work?”

Angus: “Many compare my work to Matisse or even VanGogh; it’s nice company to be in, but in truth I’m not aware of my work having sprung directly from any single artist or style.  Producing a unique and singular voice within my work has always been important to me and developing a style that speaks too closely to another artist’s work has no appeal to me.  Perhaps I would say I’m an artist of the modern age- My art has been born from a ‘Google’-like approach, where a variety of artists, paintings and media got chewed up in my garbled head and out came the work I produce now.  So, when asked who I feel has influenced my work?  I invariably begin to list past painters and works I have loved and admired: the Glasgow boys, especially the colorful still lifes of  Samuel Peploe , Mark Rothko , sculptures of Henry Moore, and Joan Eardley, particularly her early paintings of Scottish children.”

“Tulips with Color” by Angus Wilson

Elysian: “On average, how many hours a week to you spend in your studio painting?” Angus: “I spend every morning and the first part of the afternoon in my studio (Monday-Friday).  Work tends to stop around 2 since I pick up my kids from school at 3.  I then return to my studio for an hour or two most evenings.  I produce about one and a half paintings a week, but this is very variable, dependent on size and complexity.” Elysian: “What inspires you and keeps your imagery fresh?” Angus: “Despite focusing so intently on still life paintings, I rarely get listless about the subject matter.  I’m always looking for a new color scheme or perhaps a new plate or item of pottery that excites me and is crying out to be painted.  From time to time I notice my work tailing off, and at that point I always produce a new photo shoot of still life subjects.  This process always energizes and revitalizes my creative juices for the next painting.”

Elysian: “You have an impressive dossier of gallery representation, including Paul Scott Gallery in Arizona, New Masters Gallery and Gallery i Fine Art in California, Warm Springs Gallery and Chasen Galleries in Virginia, as well as Walt Horton Fine Art in Colorado, but when did you sell your very first painting?”

“Fruit and Flowers on Bird Cloth” by Angus Wilson

Angus: “I sold my first paintings to my brother when I was a student.  He fortunately was blessed with deep pockets, a kindly heart and a tolerance for some of my early mediocre paintings!” Elysian: “What music are you listening to in the studio right now?”

Angus: “The curse of an ipod is you can have so much music at your finger tips.  I listen to a wide and varied selection of music, from classical and jazz all the way through to some pretty trite pop.  I also listen to NPR and some BBC radio comedy shows.  These days I find I listen to a lot of folk or acoustic music with strong vocalists, but perhaps my most favored artist through most of my years has been Tom Waits, especially his mid-career stuff.”

I look forward to following the progression of Angus’ work and hope to catch up with him again in the future!  If you would like to see more, please view his website at http://www.anguspaintings.com/ , follow him on his blog at http://anguswilsonstudio.blogspot.com/ and on Facebook at Angus Wilson Studio.



“Sci-Fi Theologica” by Tim Baron


Tim Baron is an extraordinarily talented artist and illustrator whose work I have admired for years.  He has an entertaining variety of subject matter to which he delivers a unique style!  Tim consistently produces subject matter that has a passionate heart, whether it is about the Gospel, children’s books, the current dangers facing teens, or a painting of a monster statue his daughter gave him!  He is a  a self-described, comic-book and action figure addict (to which I can totally relate), graphic designer-by-day, and family man. 

One of my favorite works by Tim is this beautiful drawing of Jesus saying “Let the Children Come to Me”.  Tim has an amazing ability to put a lot of emotion into simple gestures, which makes his characters graphically stunning. (I also secretly admire his ability to turn sounds into cool words like “KZAAK!” “BOFF!” and “MUAHAHAHA!”)  I recently caught up with Tim to gain more insight into his process, and find out about his newest projects.



“Jesus said ‘Let the children come to Me’ ” by Tim Baron



Elysian:  “When did you make your first comic book and what was it?”

Baron:  “Hmmmmmm….I believe I made my first comic in early grade school.  My best friend Curt and I were obsessed with Transformers.  We made up these Transformers stories that we would write and draw comics for.  Each of us would work on it for a while and then trade off.  I still have some of them. 

 As far as comics go, I’ve been obsessed with them since before I can remember.  I was first introduced to super-heroes on shows like “The Electric Company” and “The Bozo Show.” I do have a very early memory of going to the grocery store with my Mom and buying what I believe was my first comic book.  It was an issue of Green Lantern where he fights Star Sapphire.  I would always stand and look at the comic rack when I went to the grocery store with my mom.  I loved pouring over those books, and a lot of those same covers still stick in my mind.”

 

“Charlie Valor: Rise of the RumorBots”

  Elysian:  “What inspires you to make art?”

Baron: “Pretty much everything that inspired me to make art as a kid…comic books, movies, retro Saturday morning cartoons, super heroes , monsters, giant robots, childhood innocence, childhood memories, dreams, other artists, action figures…especially action figures! 

Tennapel is incredible…actually the best example I’ve seen of a Christian working in Hollywood and in comics, not compromising, but also putting out insanely awesome work that is not confined to Christian bookstore kitsch.  I’d have to say he has influenced me more artistically in the past five years that any other artist.  If you look at my comic work, you will see me borrowing techniques from him quite often.

I’m also inspired a lot by authors like CS Lewis, Edgar Allen Poe, and GK Chesterton.  Lewis’s essay “The Weight of Glory” has been instrumental in my understanding of inspiration, and Francis Schaeffer’s book “Art and the Bible” has really helped me see the importance of art vocation from a Biblical perspective.  The first person mentioned in Scripture to be “filled with the Holy Spirit” was an artist.”

Elysian: “Charlie Valor” is one of Tim’s newest projects for Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company , which is a wonderful short comic book about the danger of texting that is facing our nation’s youth right now. Read “Rise of the RumorBots” to find out how Charlie and his superhero friend, Talon, take down Greymatter and put an end to his texting treachery.  Enjoy the promo video and see the list of safe-texting guidelines, at the end of the online issue, to discuss with your child.

“Sola Christus” by Tim Baron

Elysian: “What projects are you working on right now and what do you have coming up in the future?”

Baron: “I’ll likely be doing more Charlie Valor comics, but I also have a big honking graphic novel of which the art is complete, but I am working with Ben Avery, an amazing writer, to finish the words and narration.  I’m hoping to have it printed and in hand by late 2010/early 2011.  I have a short Mad Hatter four page story appearing in an issue of “The Oz/Wonderland Chronicles:Jack and Cat Tales” in November.  I worked with Ben Avery on that and am really pleased with how it turned out.  It is a charming little tale.  I also did a book cover and interior illustrations for a forthcoming book on the 12 Apostles.”

“Self-Portrait” by Tim Baron

Tim has published his own collection of drawings and comics called “The Great and Terrible Dream”: “an eclectic art book filled with 112 pages of wonder, doom, hope, sound, fury, Faustian nightmares, damnation, and salvation.”  It’s a wonderful book full of heroes and villains!  You can discover Tim’s work on his website at http://www.timbaron.com/, and follow his inspiring creative process on his blog, http://timbaron.blogspot.com/.  I can’t wait to see what Tim creates next!  I am amazed at how much work he produces, and there’s always an exciting new twist to his creations, whether it’s a new medium like digital painting, or a new subject matter, like his current work on “The Tortoise and the Hare!”

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