Art of Dan W. Taylor

2010-02-02T10:46:00.000-08:00

Alektorophobia
oil on canvas
30 x 48 inches
copyright Dan W. Taylor 2009

This painting was created specifically for a show that took place on Friday November 13, 2009 at The Vex in Dayton, Ohio. The theme of the show was 'phobias'. Participants needed to pre register in order to prevent duplication. I chose Alektorophobia, partly because when I ran across this in my research of phobias, I didn't realize that it even had a name! My original intent was to do this piece from the standpoint of a hen that suffered from the malady. I did, however, want to amp up the amount of horror that the victim was feeling and decided that by adding the human element, this would be better served. I think that it would be more difficult for the viewer to discern the depth of fear if it was being shown on the face and beak of a chicken.

2009-10-18T07:58:00.000-07:00

An Expounded Conciousness Oil on Canvas 54 x 54 inches

This is a deconstructed self portrait involving multiple canvases that are permanently attached to each other in such a way as to show depth of layers as well as blocks of color and image. From the brain or psyche in the background, through the sensory organs and all the way to the raw blocks of color used to form the works of art. This piece was the center of my installation at Sideshow IIII and will be my entry in the Preble County Art Association's upcoming self portrait show titled "The Me, Myself, and I Portrait Challenge" A prospectus can be found here.

Tallahassee 25

2009-02-23T09:26:00.000-08:00

Standing Midstream by Dan W. Taylor
5 x7 inch acrylic on canvas

Standing midstream by Dan W. Taylor
Preliminary sketch

This painting was created as a donation for a benefit organized by Tallahassee 25, which is a fully volunteer driven non-profit organization that works with at-risk youth in the Tallahassee, Florida area. The donated works are used to create a Mystery Masterpiece Wall of 5 x 7 inch creations that will be exhibited at the Mary Brogan Museum of Art & Science on March 14. The pieces will be sold for a flat fee with all proceeds going towards their kid's events.

With this small painting, I wanted to reference classic landscape composition but in a non classic way. Through simplification of form and color I want to bring a more child-like quality to the work. That is not to say that it is not a serious work, as great care has been taken to adhere to rules of composition and scale but I wanted this piece to be fun, also. One of the ways that this is achieved is through the base color. I used a bright purple metallic base coat which was allowed to peak through as outlines of the various landscape elements. This creates a changing effect as the light reflects off of the metallic when viewed from differing angles.

This was a fun project to work on and I'll be sure to post the call for entry for future shows for anyone that may want to participate.

Waiting for Spring

2009-01-13T11:58:00.000-08:00

Waiting for Spring - Germantown Ohio

I continue to add new works to my sale site, http://taylorstudio.ecrater.com such as this piece.

This is part of a series of photographs of local benches in the winter snow. One happened to catch my eye as I was taking a winter walk and I was taken by the loneliness that it conveyed. This series brings not only that sense of desolation but also a bit of comfort supplied by their permanence and knowing that they will be there waiting at the first warm day of spring.

Shop for art!

2009-01-11T20:55:00.000-08:00

Ok, so folks have been asking, "How can I buy some of the wonderful artwork displayed here when I live a long ways off or can't make it to the local shows?". Well here's how! I recently opened an internet gallery and shop to do just that! You can browse the various categories, make your choices and even pay online using Paypal or all major credit cards. You can find the link to this magical store on the top of the column just to the left of this post! How exciting! Be sure to tell all of your friends as original art makes an excellent gift to give AND receive. Plus, historically, artwork has performed better than the stock market as an investment! So in this time of economic uncertainty, can you afford to NOT by artwork? I didn't think so.

2008-11-29T18:34:00.000-08:00

The List

2008-11-12T18:14:00.001-08:00

The List

16 x 20 inches
acrylic on canvas

This painting was finished on November 11, 2008 to be included in an upcoming show. I will be the featured artist for the month of December at Barnes and Nobles Booksellers on Miamisburg- Centerville Rd. (the Dayton Mall location). I wanted to do a traditional Santa portrait based on my childhood memories. My version is less 'jolly old elf' and more grandfatherly in nature. I have several other Santa paintings to include in this show as well as winter landscape paintings and photographs.

squash bouquet

2008-10-28T10:05:00.001-07:00

Squash Bouquet
12 x 15 silverprint b/w photograph

This is part of a series of black and white photos that I did with an autumn theme. I wanted to do something seasonal yet with a twist. So I took the usual floral and still life and combined them using the popular fall vegetables such as butternut squash, zucchini and a small pumpkin (and a cucumber which found it's way in somehow). This photo was taken on 100 iso Kodak T Max film with a Nikon N 65 camera. Developed in Dektol and printed on Ilford fibre paper.

Like Soldiers in the Sun

2008-10-26T21:11:00.001-07:00

Like Soldiers in the Sun
Pastel on Museum Board
15 x 20 inches

This piece is based on a photograph I took in the Oregon District of Dayton Ohio on a sunny late afternoon. I was drawn by the way the boxes were in such a perfect line and standing motionless in the bright light. the legs seemed to give them a living quality which made it feel as though they should be walking to the shadier side of the building for some relief from the heat. The photograph reminded me of the work of Edward Hopper, so I wanted to replicate some of the aspects of his paintings in my drawing. I feel that this is accomplished by the flatness of the color planes and the stark sense of lights and darks.

Freedom From Speech

2008-07-07T18:50:00.000-07:00

Freedom From Speech
18 x 24 inches
Ink wash on museum board 2008

This work is based on the 2002 beheading of journalist Daniel Pearl by al-Qaida operative Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. The photos and subsequent remorseless confession by Khalid reinforce to me the price of our first amendment and truly what a powerful tool it is. How diligently it needs to be protected and maintained.

The medium is Higgins black magic india ink and Higgins drawing ink (Red) applied in broad gestural strokes with the dark areas being built up through layers and increasing the amount of pigment in the wash. The red wash was applied last to bring it more to the forefront via the overlapping areas of the image. A drybrush 'swash' of dirty black / red mix is meant to reference the blood spray at the moment of execution.

As always, I welcome and appreciate any comments on the artwork.

Peace From Above

2008-07-03T20:23:00.000-07:00

Peace From Above
Oil and Acrylic on canvas
24 x 48 inches. 2008

Another 'statement' piece, I attempt to illustrate the principal of the price that peace can require. The dove, complete with olive branch, drops the Paveway smartbombs upon some nameless city requiring 'cleansing' to enforce the idea of peace.

The blue background on this painting is a metallic acrylic that positively glows under the light. It's a shame that the full effect is lost in the photograph. This causes the dove to pop off of the picture plane giving it a great 3D appearance.

As a side note, this painting was displayed at a local show. At the opening reception, I noticed one man in particular paying close attention to the dove's armament. Upon talking to him, I find that he was on the team of engineers that designed the guidance system for the bombs!

New Art! Noble Peace Price

2008-07-02T17:07:00.000-07:00

Noble Peace Price
Oil on Canvas
15 x 30 inches 2008

This piece was created to further reinforce the imagery which shows that peace is often purchased with blood. I wanted to reference the war posters of the 1960's and 70's in a way that was, at once, direct. But at the same time, I wanted to leave no doubt that this image is from the present day. I try to accomplish this with the retro floral motif but with a modified color palette that would be different from the popular color schemes of 40 years ago.

Response to April 15th

2008-07-02T16:53:00.000-07:00

Because I Can!
Mixed Media on Canvas
10 x 20 inches

This painting is in response to the censoring of my large scale painting. See my April 15th blog entry for the full story. This piece was created to display in the place of the piece that was removed from my showing, but the gallery managers asked that I not hang this piece either!

Catching up.

2008-07-02T16:35:00.000-07:00

I wanted to take a bit of time to post several paintings from the last year to get things caught up. I've got several new paintings currently in various stages of completion which I'll post soon! I would be grateful to receive any commentary or critique on these works.

The Good Shepherd

Oil on canvas 36 x 36 inches

Sideshow 3! This weekend!

2008-05-13T07:49:00.000-07:00

This weekend celebrates the 3rd incarnation of the Sideshow. The arts fest presented by the Circus Creative Collective in conjunction with Dayton's Urban Nights festival. I've created 3 new paintings which will be unveiled at this show and posted here soon after.

Dismay

2008-04-15T19:15:00.001-07:00

Something happened today that I don't fully understand...

Over the past weekend, I installed several of my paintings at a local gallery that was kind enough to invite me to be a guest artist. Today, I received a call from the gallery manager. Apologizing profusely, she informed me that she had to remove the above painting from the display. She said that the management of the mall had received several complaints about this work. She didn't know the exact nature of the complaint but since the mall has graciously donated the space to the gallery, she felt compelled to remove it ( I understand her reasons completely). The only issues listed in the prospectus and gallery rules concern nudity or violence. Neither of which are present in this work. In fact, I would consider this work pretty far down the list of possibly controversial paintings in this installation. I took special care and did a great deal of research for this painting in the attempt to make it politically neutral. Just based on fact and image as presented by the subject without taking a personal stance. I am baffled. Especially since the complaints seem to have come from several sources.

I am asking that anyone who may know why someone would be vehemently against the display of this painting, please comment here and let me know. Or email me directly at weirdmuse (at) gmail.com . Thank you.

New Show!

2008-04-10T19:54:00.001-07:00

Dad's Buddy, Ashley

2008-02-16T19:15:00.000-08:00

Dad's Buddy, Ashley
Collage
8 1/2 x 11 in.
2008

While rummaging through some family photos, I came across a photo of my father and my niece, and I was struck by the realization that in the photos they were the same age. My father died when my niece was very young. He had Alzheimer's disease but always seemed to recognize and take great joy from her. Even as his memory degenerated near the very end of his life, he would always brighten up whenever he saw her. Upon further digging through the photos I found one of my father holding a very young Ashley not long before his death.

I wanted to create the sense of the time-line that connects these 2 people who were very important to each other and also very important to me. I used xerox copies of the photographs so I could control the contrast and scale of the individual images. The lighter copies appearing 'ghost-like' as to indicate that the subject had passed on to another form of existence. Frozen in time, the clock which overlaps the interior frame references the time that has passed since my father was 18 (as in his Army photo) and my niece turned 18 (her senior photo in the upper corner). I also incorporated several other items such as the newsprint and crossword puzzle to add a sense of space to the works. I feel that the text conveys the feeling that there is more information here than you could take in at first glance. That it would take an investment of time to get the full measure of the meaning of the relationship being depicted. Much like reading a newspaper takes more of a personal investment than watching a news blurb on the television.

The original, being made of photocopies and newspaper, is not archival, so I scanned it to be able to produce archival prints. After scanning I colorized the entire collage in a sepia tint except for the central image which I left as black and white. I think that by doing this it keeps this moment in time fresh and in the present. Where I sometimes wish it was.

Bob, meet Jim.

2008-02-04T18:21:00.000-08:00

Bob, Meet Jim.

12 x 12 inches. 2007
Illustration and photo-manipulation

This work references Robert Indiana's iconic pop art print of the 1960's featuring the 4 letters of the word 'love'. Overlaying this is a manipulation of the classic James Montgomery Flagg recruitment poster. I wanted to bring out several emotions at once with this piece. I use the Indiana reference to imply the 1960's and the relation and similarities of the war in Iraq with the war in Vietnam. But at the same time I wanted to reference the poster from World War 2 and the feeling of a more 'justified' war. The figure of uncle Sam is reversed to it's negative to add a ghost-like appearance which, I think adds to the sense of unease as though the victims and heroes of these wars were judging what was happening with the war today. I also use a tertiary color scheme to add in the unnerving effect of the work. This was originally done as a prelude to a painting but upon completing this reference, I think everything that I would say with the painting has been communicated with this piece.

From Dad to Brookes

2007-10-05T18:55:00.001-07:00

From Dad to Brookes
Oil on Canvas
42 inches x 78 inches
2006

I did this painting soon after me and Carrie bought the farm that I was raised in. It is meant to show the relationship between my father, Dan, and my stepson, Brookes and how they are connected through me and the farm. Dad died 3 years before I ever met Brookes so they never knew each other. I try to give the sense of the past in the vignette of my parents in the background along with the aerial view of the farm at the time they purchased it in 1962. The house in the midground is how it appeared when we bought it from the estate. I use the placement of the figures eyes to tell the story: Mom is looking at Dad which shows the unity they shared through the hard times to keep the farm and pay it off. Dad is looking towards Brookes as the future inheritor of the property. While both Carrie and I engage the viewer directly with our gaze, it is with very different content. My gaze is of uneasy protective watchfulness. I step to the side allowing the viewer to come in, but only so far. My left eye is on the viewer but it is proportionally too large for my face, emphasizing it's watchfulness. Carrie's smiling eyes are an invitation to the viewer to behold the life we now have and the family she is so proud of. Only Brookes does not directly look to a given figure. He is staring past his parents, as we all must do at some point, to his own place in the world yet knowing that this farm will always be some part of him as well.

Comments please!

2007-09-23T19:40:00.000-07:00

The Sideshow II was a fantastic experience. A great mix of many different genres of art and expression. Here's a photo of me at my wall:(Photo courtesy of Sabrina Pryor)

Today's Woman

2007-09-05T15:20:00.000-07:00

Today's Woman

6 x 8 inches
collage, ink, stencil, oil paint
2006

This small piece was created with a dual purpose. I wanted to try some different techniques plus make a bit of a statement concerning media manipulation of body image especially as it applies to the middle aged woman. The base image was created by cutting out a stencil of the image and using a toothbrush in higgins black magic ink to 'spray' the graphic on top of a masonite panel that I had prepared by using acrylic transfer of newsprint. This was then addressed with additional ink and some oil paint touches to add a hint of life to the stylized image.

The Sideshow II !

2007-08-30T18:48:00.000-07:00

Mark your calendar! You won't want to miss this one. Come out for Urban Nights and stay for the sideshow. This is a benefit for the Circus Creative Collective. A wonderful group of creative spirits involved with art in it's many forms. Check our their website at: daytoncircus

Rosie Does It

2007-08-27T12:28:00.000-07:00

Rosie Does It
22 x 28 inches
Oil on canvas
2007

This work may or may not be finished. Originally I had intended to put a tat on Rosie's buff bicep. I had a thunderbolt in mind, like those used on the A-10 thunderbolt anti-tank aircraft. Upon reflection. I believe that the tattoo would not add any meaning or interest to this work. Please respond with your thoughts on this.

Present Tense

2007-08-27T10:27:00.000-07:00

Present Tense

Oil on Canvas
30 x 34 inches
2007

This painting is in response to a photo that I ran across from a news story of a church sponsored book burning. The book burning was not from last century or nazi Germany but from here in the USA and only 3 years ago! I couldn't beleive what I was seeing and I felt the need to further document this event with this painting. The smoky text in the background is in German and roughly translates as: ' when we begin burning books, next we will be burning people'. This line is from a German play from 1821. I find the timeline of this poem, the nazi bookburnings on the 1930's-40's and the book burnings sponsored by today's religeous extremists to be very disturbing. Some of the books featured in the painting are Flowers in the Attic , Grapes of Wrath, Catcher in the Rye, Fahrenheit 451, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Daddy's New Roommate, and Lord of the Flies. All of these books have been banned at one time or another.

Mail Art Entry

2007-08-27T07:12:00.000-07:00

Mail Art Entry

Surprise Inside!
6 x 8 inches
collage on board
2007

This is an entry created for a mail art exhibit at Ripple Cafe in Nottingham, England. Mail Art or Correspondence Art was created by Ray Johnson, a protege of Andy Warhol, in the 1970's. To learn more about Ray's work, check my links under favorite artists.

This piece is meant to say something about the world I live in. From the local to the global. The types of things I would want to know about someone from another continent. Just everyday life type of things that affect the man on the street.

To participate in this project, mail your contribution to:

Ripple
577 Mansfield Rd.
Sherwood
Nottingham
NG5 2JN
England UK

To view other works in their collection, check our their blog at: www.ripplecafescrapbook.blogspot.com

Iconoclash

2007-08-26T15:28:00.000-07:00

For the first piece I'll post here, I chose a painting that I did for my Painting 223 class at Sinclair Community College for Spring 2007 quarter.

Iconoclash
30 x 40 inches
acrylic, oil pastel, spray paint and collage on canvas
2007

With this piece, I chose to represent a group of iconic images in either unfamiliar or disconcerting ways. The group of smileys with one in cross-hairs of a scoped weapon, the gingham checkerboard tablecloth with poison emblems, a representation of Edvard Munch's painting but in cheery colors. These elements plus the addition of non representational colors and contrasting color blocks are employed to aid in creating a sense of confusion for the viewer. This is further unified by the overlying symbol of the Anarchist 'A' used to frame the elements. This framing is not readily apparent as a design element in it's own right as it is overpowered by the individual elements.

Any comments are welcome and any critiques are greatly appreciated!

Welcome to my blog!

2007-08-26T15:19:00.000-07:00

Hi, folks! Just wanted to say hello to the world as an intro to me finally moving into the internet age and starting my own art blog.