Joshua Barbosa

Wednesday, May 30, 2018

Work in Progress 24"x24"

Working on this piece, I am inclined to explore some conceptual ideas. I won't elaborate on this just yet. I will however acknowledge the challenge of attempting to imbue an object with a litteral narrative. I do believe this happens quite often, subconsciously or in the eyes of the artist, is just left up to the viewer.

I am struggling to legitimize being deliberate in delivery of my opinions and ideas. I feel there is a fine line between suggesting an idea so a viewer may connect the dots and beating a viewer over the head with an idea. I would like to think that if executed thoughtfully, concept in an abstract work would have a conversation with the viewer.

The concept delivered via image should be empathetic and considerate of the viewers (potentially) opposite views.

Sunday, August 28, 2016

Collaborative Empiricism -11"x14" Balsa, acrylic, wire, stain and foam on wood.

"Collaborative empiricism: therapist and client become investigators by examining the evidence to support or reject the patient's cognitions. Empirical evidence is used to determine whether particular cognitions serve any useful purpose."

Friday, April 29, 2016

Tripartite - 11"x14" Balsa and acrylic on wood.

Tripartite is a textural adventure and experiment in building beyond the confines of a traditional two dimensional surface. The 11"x14" board is divided into three main areas of contrast featuring cool blues, grays and muddy greens.

The farthest most right section is fluid in the arrangement of it's balsa wood tiles. Imperfections in size and shape lend to the liquid like flow that leads the viewers eye to the deepest region. Larger block shapes suggest this space is not safe for swimming.

The center section is linear in both its components and direction. Narrow slats of balsa suggest vertical directionality despite their horizontal placement. Colors are muddy and sparse imparting a weathered look. Most unexpectedly this section continues off the bottom border, turning inward towards the wall on which it hangs.

On the far left are fields of heavily saturated turquoise patchwork, arranged in a more orderly fashion than it's predecessors. Vivid Blue-greens try and steal the show but concede slightly to the exposed grays of stained balsa wood.

Initial inspiration was mainly compositional. Turned 90 degrees to the right it is more obvious that a landscape of sorts was imagined. I thought mainly of the view across my favorite pond.

Color choices were unplanned and instead accepted as they occured. Resulting in an image that hints at tropical blue waters and aging seaside infrastructure.

I consider Tripartite an overwhelming success!

Available for purchase here.

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Homogenized Diversity - 8"x8" Balsa and acrylic on wood.

When I started working on this image I had just read an article covering protests by hundreds of "Democracy Spring" activists in Washington DC. The events and politics of that day did not necessarily inspire the image. They did however inform the ideas that resulted in the final composition.

The Land Pavilion - 6"x6" Balsa and acrylic on wood.

Sunday, April 24, 2016

Brickyard - 12"x12" Balsa and acrylic on wood.

Sat across from my friend, over some gluten free beer I had the idea to turn the balsa on its side.

That was the catalyst for what would turn out to be a very satisfying build. I just started gluing, like on the others before. At first, all the pieces fit neatly next to one another. It is then that I'm most conscious about contrast of length, width and height of the balsa. Eventually, the available space for gluing is limited but the tight gaps and corners take on much interest once tediously filled. A composition emerges from the wood, things will make sense or not. A lot of decision making can also be based on what cut balsa I already have in front of me. Limitation of building materials can push ones decision making to the brink of utter aggravation. In the end, forcing such limitations upon myself have been rewarding.

Color is always one of my biggest concerns when working on an image. There is both conscious an subconscious effort to apply color that is unique to my personal aesthetic. I try to communicate physical depth and depth of feeling via color. While the physical construction establishes the setting, the color imparts the weather of that particular locale. The brick red stain I mixed for Brickyard felt very familiar, possibly even safe but set the appropriate mood lighting for the terrain of the surrface. Once dry, this piece with its unmistakably brick red hue, transported my imagination to a spot I have been fishing for decades, Brickyard Pond.

Brickyard Pond was once a clay pit that supplied much of Southern New England with bricks. Living in Rhode Island, brick facades of buildings large and small, residential and commercial are a very familiar sight. Perhaps this influenced my color choice or perhaps it was coincidence. Either way it has become relevant to this image. An image that I am proud to say has set me on a new path that I hope will result in many engaging compositions influenced by one another.

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Willett - 8"x8" balsa, coffee and acrylic on wood.

Willett - 8"x8" Balsa, coffee and acrylic on wood.

This image developed free of any conscious influence. Only after staining with coffee did I associate the shape in the center with one of my favorite fishing spots. Color choices were dictated by the association with Willett pond; an alternate reality where the water is crystal clear and free of human refuse.