Steven Skinner [ USA ]
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Lives and Works in USA    
 

 

My most recent work OoMO (Objects of My Obsession), begun in Jauary 2003, is a series of contemporary works on paper (watercolors) based on found objects. The images in these watercolors are from objects I find which interest me because of their shape, color, patina, personal or social significance, and humor. I use unpainted paper as the background in each work to focus specific attention on each rendered object and to portray each work (rendered objects and paper) in a sculptural sense, as objects. The Inspiration for my Chicago Architectural watercolors in 1989 came from moving into the Bucktown neighborhood of Chicago in the immediate vicinity of the railroad overpass at Bloomingdale Street. I found this utilitarian architectural structure fascinating and began drawing and painting its underpasses where it bisected over neighborhood streets. From this I gravitated to rendering other "older" structures mostly of brick construction found in the same vicinity.
 
 
1.BabyBack, OoMO No. 42 ©2004 Watercolor on paper, 10" x 20", Collection of the artist


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Right On, OoMO No. 44 ©2005 Watercolor on paper, 10" x 20", Collection of the artist


3.LeftHand Of, OoMO, No. 49 ©2005 Watercolor on paper, 10" x 20", Collection of the artist


4.Swoosh ©1998, Watercolor on paper, 14" x 44", Collection of the artist



5.Earth and Heaven ©1996 Watercolor on paper, 18" x 57",Collection of the artist


6.El Steps no. 1 ©2000 Watercolor on paper, 14" x 40", Collection of the artist

 



 

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I soon settled on painting Chicago´s bridge structures, viaducts, and roadways because of their perspective, contrasting values seen in the shadows beneath, and the rhythm of their repeating columns and supports. I especially appreciated the character of these structures and often traveled around the city seeking sites of interest to paint. I enjoyed painting the utilitarian architectural underbelly of the city as a contrast to the celebrated famous downtown structures, and as an awareness of the work horse structures this industrial city was built on and still uses. I also appreciate and enjoy painting the time worn textures and patinas found on these roadways and bridges. In 1999 my inspiration changed and evolved when I took a watercolor class I teach at Columbia College to the Lincoln Park Conservatory in Chicago. While my students painted, I realized it might be interesting to depict the tropical plants along side the mechanical and architectural structures found within the conservatory building. My goal was not simply to paint pretty flowers and tropical plants as one so often sees in watercolors, but to explore this realm of plants within their artificial man made environment. What was at first an exploration of contrasts between flora and man made structures evolved through the length of the series into subtle surreal representations of flora, often imbued with animalistic and at times anthropomorphic qualities.