The Intimate Landscape
“Blessed are they who see beautiful things in humble places where other people see nothing.”
Camille Pissarro
The natural cycle of growth, death and decay form the structure of the landscape and the heart of its beauty. In my work, the essence of the landscape is described in the details. Each natural object is presented in an unnatural, formal composition, at times with a contrasting or companion object, which compels the viewer to carefully examine the individual form. This isolation bestows a certain precious quality and value to objects that would normally be regarded as the refuse of the natural world. The horizontal format of the pieces references the landscape, while the composition is organized on the grid with a sensitivity to the white space, a device imposed on the random order of nature. Exploring those details within formal constructs of composition is a way to engage the viewer intimately with the objects. The grid highlights the commonality of the objects and at the same time delineates their beautiful individuality. I use these elements to create formalist pieces with a carefully considered ordering of the surface. A celebration of nature, the work is an allegory for the natural process of human life, both its ascendance and its decline.
K. Polson Grubola
Camille Pissarro
The natural cycle of growth, death and decay form the structure of the landscape and the heart of its beauty. In my work, the essence of the landscape is described in the details. Each natural object is presented in an unnatural, formal composition, at times with a contrasting or companion object, which compels the viewer to carefully examine the individual form. This isolation bestows a certain precious quality and value to objects that would normally be regarded as the refuse of the natural world. The horizontal format of the pieces references the landscape, while the composition is organized on the grid with a sensitivity to the white space, a device imposed on the random order of nature. Exploring those details within formal constructs of composition is a way to engage the viewer intimately with the objects. The grid highlights the commonality of the objects and at the same time delineates their beautiful individuality. I use these elements to create formalist pieces with a carefully considered ordering of the surface. A celebration of nature, the work is an allegory for the natural process of human life, both its ascendance and its decline.
K. Polson Grubola
No part of these images may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,
including photocopying or recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system,
without permission in writing from the artist, except for the inclusion of a brief quotation in review.
including photocopying or recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system,
without permission in writing from the artist, except for the inclusion of a brief quotation in review.
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Landfire: Homage to a Firefighter Mixed media 22. 5 x 30” |
The Beautiful Necessity of Flight
Pheasant Feathers, Cicada Wings, Copper Leaf
Gravity defied
by iridescence beauty,
bug and bird alike
NFS
Arianrhood
Clematis Seeds, Rudbeckia Seeds, Silk Thread
Photo - Geoff Carr
Arianrhood
Detail
Blighted
Hawthorn Leaves, Silk Chiffon, Thread
An innocent host,
duped by cunning predators,
fades into early death.
Veiled Threat
Honey Locust Thorns, Gold Leaf, Silk Chiffon, Thread
Sold
Veiled Threat
Detail
Contrast and Pattern
Tulip Poplar Peduncles, Gold Leaf,
Guinea Fowl Feathers, Thread
Once in green petals,
now I sheath in patterned down
Hostile, piercing point
Gravity
Hydrangea Flowers
Photo by Geoff Carr
Gravity
Detail
Sown
Seed Pods, Chiffon, Thread
Sold
Autumn Seeding
Pine Cones, Acorns, Magnolia Leaf,
Seed Pods, Paper
Photo by Geoff Carr
Autumn Seeding
Detail
The Cruel Reality of Optical Illusion: A Memorial
Leaf Skeletons, Rose-breasted Grosbeak Wings, Twig, Thread, Silver Leaf, Thread
Azure reflections
Fleet wings swiftly beat the air,
unforgiving end
Sold
Exfoliated Layers I
River Birch Bark, Maple Keys, Catocala amatrix Moth Wing, Thread
Seductive shedding,
layers peal back, offer glimpse
of next season’s garb.
Exfoliated Layers II
River Birch Bark, Silk, Feathers, Thread
Slowly exposing,
she sheds each ruffled layer,
softening profile
Sea Fly
Coquina Shells, Thread, Water Color
Froth of breaking waves
undulate on sandy shores
Flight resists the sea
Sold
Sea Fly Detail
Haiku to Those Who Die Young
Japanese Maple Leaves
Who falsely lures youth
to unfurl sweet, tender growth?
Spring’s cruel frosty death.
Silk Shadow Ginkgo
Gingko Leaves, Silk Chiffon
Life Encased
Jack Pine Cones, Egg, Cocoons, Dyed Cocoons, Cicada Nymph Exoskeleton, Spilosoma lubricipeda Moth, Thread
Transformational
life safely encased awaits
new forms to emerge
Sold
Rouge Penumbria
Burning Bush Leaves, Silk, Gold Leaf, Paper
Photo by Geoff Carr
Rouge Penumbria
Detail
Tatting
Linden Leaves, Silk Chiffon
Transparent
Lunaria annua seeds, Silk Chiffon
Sold
The Bounty of the Empress
Royal Paulownia Fruit Pods, Silk, Leaf Skeletons, Feather, Thread
Over flowing cups,
Paulownia’s rich bounty
empty, fall to earth
Sold
Cicade Wings
Cicade Wings, Silk Chiffon, Maple Keys, Thread
Sold
Acer rubrum - Midas Seeds
Maple Keys, Gold Leaf, Thread
Acer rubrum - Stacked
Maple Keys, Thread, Colored Pencil
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