Circles — shantz collaboration
This Jeremy Shantz collaboration — circle series — brought me a lot of joy.
These are a whole lotta fun to paint and even better, end up looking real pretty. In my mind, these works scratch only the tip of an iceberg of shared creative potential.
As with most good projects, this one began as an experiment. The mostly blue piece in the pictures included below started the ball rolling. It was a small painting made for a friend who had very generously let a couple of paint pushers crash at his pad during an Art Miami trip. Jer and i conceived of this work as a piece of urban camouflage, the kind that could only be found at home in the urban swamps of a place like Florida.
The collaboration allowed us to circumambulate well beaten paths of illustration toward abstraction and back again, full circle.
JEREMY SHANTZ
It’s hard to discuss these works without highlighting the many projects they inspired.
Shantz’s always very weird and quasi-shamanic works are west-coast infused, pop-surrealist explorations erotic potential, the unknown, and the process of (for lack of better words) ‘alchemical’ material transformation. In other words, Jeremy has the incredible ability to turn nearly anything into a work of art, which would aptly describe his life.
Hanging out with magical beings and other assorted good company always has a way of rubbing off in the best way. Our extensive international collaborations, particularly through the EN MASSE project, have left me a far better artist and being in general.
This positive influence — like Jeremy’s work — isn’t defined by depth of practice in one medium alone, but instead encompasses a vast breadth of highly expressive multimedia possibilities.
SUPPORTING LOCAL ARTISTS — LASTING VALUE
These works are much prettier in person that has been captured to date by photo. This is often the case with paintings of this sort, which in this case, often included the use of hand-laid precious metal leaf on carefully prepared premium Russian plywood.
Sadly, most of these pieces never really saw the light of day. As with much of my collaborative work over the last couple decades, the value of these circles is not found within the final product — but instead — the process.
These are beautiful images, possessing a distinct note of intrinsic value. Like all works of art, they could really use a good home.
Both Jeremy and I strongly believe that supporting local artists is more than just buying art. It’s about deeply investing in your cultural ecosystem and promoting creativity and expression.
FULL CIRCLE
Embrace the power of unity and endless possibilities with a personalized circle artwork.
Commission a piece that symbolizes your unique journey and connection to the world around you. Dare to bring this timeless symbol to life in a way that speaks uniquely to you.
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you’d like to go full circle.
