Art Beyond Language

Tal R

Just yesterday a friend sent me this quote:

"I think artists should watch out; they should admit that their work will always be faster than language. And I think art should be beyond language—otherwise go and write a story, go and be a poet." - Tal R


I do believe I have found my mantra, "art should be beyond language." Or in the least be it's own language. A language of color, contrast, form, reflex, emotion and spontaneity.

Why should an artist be expected to define his or her work verbally? Why should narrative, poetry and the like be sought out within the confines of our canvases? As an artist, all I ask and hope is that others see and experience what I have made. There is no expectation of faultless understanding.

I try to avoid understanding. With too much conscious thought comes an end to the mystery and the search for what is possible in the next pursuit. When the answers to all are meticulously documented and our subconscious shut down to be replaced by logic, then what is the purpose of any artist?

Art should be and is beyond language.

Variation 5 - 10" x 7" acrylic on watercolor paper.

Copyright © Joshua J. Barbosa 2013

Another small work,Variation 5 is the result of my most recent "Process" post. This painting and I, we had our ups and downs. But in the end we just accepted one another for who we are. We're happy now.

Artconsequence

What is it?
"artconsequence is an inside look at the exchange between Joshua J. Barbosa and Phillip J. Mellen. This blog is a record of their feedback on each others work via enthusiastic dialogue, critique and healthy or not so healthy jokes passed about each others work."

The artconsequence blog is a fun collaboration between Phillip and I on tumblr. We've had many exchanges on the topic of art through the years so why not share our insight or lack there of with the web? Sometimes serious, sometimes funny and always featuring our own original art. We hope to expose some of the personality behind the paint.

Please take a look and consider, following and sharing! artconsequence.tumblr.com

Process.

This one is taking me to task! I wish I could verbalize the problem here. Immense frustration is all I feel at the moment. At the same time I know that is what will push me to attack this composition at another time, from a different perspective. This is the brilliant part of the process, I think. That a painter or artist in any medium can be brought to his or her knees, humbled and on the verge of creative cataclysm and then turn a perceived bungle into success.

I loathe and love these moments simultaneously. This is painting. This is what I love to do!

Variation 4 - 10" x 7" acrylic and collage on watercolor paper.

Copyright © Joshua J. Barbosa 2013

A quickly executed variation. This small painting seemed to just explode forth from the bristles of my paint brush. Such experiences are key to maintaining motivation. And just plain fun. Feeling like this always seems to be a bi-product of painting small.

Variation 3 - 30" x 27" acrylic on muslin.

Copyright © Joshua J. Barbosa 2013

Variation 3 was a departure from the smaller format pieces I have been painting. Cost is always a factor for me when considering larger surfaces. I was able to side step the outlandish prices of pre-stretched canvas by constructing my own. A trip to Home Depot and a few miter saw cuts later would yield a sturdy frame. I found muslin to be a cost effective substitute for duck cloth and after several coats of gesso the surface was comparable to that of primed canvas.

I made a conscious choice to continue using oval shapes here. That would turn out to be one of the few conscious decisions on this work. The entire process was reflex in response to drips and haphazard oval shapes followed by stare sessions. I struggled for a long time, trying to find and apply contrast and finally stumbled upon it, only accidentally. Variation 3 was a hell of a ride...

A worthwhile ride that I hope will leave me with a series of paintings suitable for the eyes of strangers. July is when I hope to show my work at a local group show. It will be my first exhibition of any sort. Motivated!