Frank Kallop
Artist Statement
The Elements of Style
I am an artist whose natural evolution has developed through several different styles of painting.
In all of my work, my focus is on the visual poetry of light and space, the mystery of shadow and a palpable sense of atmosphere. Investigating direct and indirect techniques - I strive to synthesize these two methods. I am displaying two of my recognized styles in this show: what I call RePresentations (the still life paintings) and Imaginations (the metaphysical paintings). However, I’d rather not use any labels to explain my work and prefer to hear what others have to say about it.
The RePresentation paintings are from direct observation in a controlled lighting environment. Some are painted alla prima and some are a combination of direct and indirect methods.
The Imaginations come from dreams, drawings, collage, nature and any other source that sparks my imagination.
Painting is a solitary work, but my explorations of still life, archetypal metaphysical themes and the formal qualities of paint, offer a common language through which to ponder the universal questions about who we are, how we are interconnected and how meaning is bound to relationship.
Exploring eternal themes - the spiritual quest, time, suffering, dreams, regret, irony, joy, illusion and others - I hope my paintings illuminate.