top of page

 

 

In Harmony

​

"Harmony would lose it's attractiveness if it did not have a background of discord"

Tehyi Hsieh

​

Georges Seurat once quoted, "Art is Harmony. Harmony is the analogy of opposites, the analogy of similarities of tone, of tint, of line taking account of a dominant and under the influence of the lighting, in combinations that are gay, calm or sad."

​

Art imitates life in that a balance has to be struck. A certain order in the chaos, an understanding that generates respect and sage guidance to orchestrate the palette. We cannot have one without the other. 

 

These paintings are abstract visual snippets of daily experiences rendered from my subconscious. I start with a random sketch; sometimes suggesting the shape of a vessel, table scene, street scene or figurative interaction. From the sketch, I intuitively decide the light and dark balance which creates a "harmony".

              

In Harmony Series, "From My Table", Abstract, Black and White Painting, Contemporary Art, Abstract Painter, Rick Griggs Art
"Building Blocks", Contemporary Abstract Painting, In-Harmony Series - Not Available
"Bacadillos De Medianoche", Contemporary Abstract Painting, In Harmony-Series, 2019/2020
"Body Language", Black and White Contemporary Abstract Painting 2019/2020
"Brighter Future", Black and White Contemporary Abstract Painting, 2020-Available
Black and White Painting with Chartreuse, Chartreuse Night Scene, Black and White Abstract Painting on Wood Panel, Rick Griggs Art
"Open Vessel" . 30" X 40" - Not Available
"Enough Said", 24" X 30", Contemporary Abstract - Available
Feeling Like The Pink Panther-the flawed and priceless diamond-abstract painting-black and white sketch-abstract-Rick Griggs Art 2019/2020 - Not Available
"Speaking Truths", Contemporary Abstract Black and White Painting, 2019/2020
"Taking Flight" 48" X 48", Contemporary Abstract Black and White Painting, Rick Griggs Art 2019/2020 - Available and On Exhibit at the Angad Art Hotel, Saint Louis

My latest paintings come from a lifetime of experiences. A deep well of sadness, loss, joy and discovery. A journey. My journey. From the crushing pain of losing friends and loved ones to AIDS in the 80s and 90s to the terror of pandemic lockdowns. From the delight of seeing a friend’s mural painted on our shared living space wall to the warmth and golden sunshine of South Beach. These experiences are reflected in my current work.

 

The colors and structure of each painting reflect a singular experience—a moment in time and place. All of the emotion and feeling of those moments is contained in the contrast of light and dark, in the geometry, in the forward motion.

 

I didn’t plan on having this much time for self-discovery and creating new work—it was an unanticipated consequence of the pandemic. But with more time to focus on my creative work, I have been able to tap into new places and ways of working. A gift of time. For reflection. For re-evaluating. For regeneration. For-reimagining. Time-for the meaning to become apparent.

 

Only in the doing—and in the reflection--does the meaning become clear.

www.rickgriggs.com

bottom of page