Divergent Paths 3
by Christian Culver

In a more abstract vein, I’m also drawn to the work of Christian Culver. I find his use of color quite nice – a sublime combination. Look at “Divergent Paths 3”, his use of reds with the green counterpoints on a bluish-gray backdrop are really great. I also like his use of inlaid architectural photographs within a composition that has an architectural feel.

I also want to make a quick comment about ornaments. All the wonderful photography doesn’t do them justice. They have a tactile component and a certain mass that makes them not only interesting to look at, but very cool to hold as well.

I am honored to be a part of Artful Home – this is a very cool place with great people. But also, I’m quite interested in some things going on here – particularly the embrace of other disciplines (like painting). Some years ago, during my painting career, I looked at Artful Home (and Guild) catalogs and didn’t see a lot of painting. So – I never applied to become an artist. But we are on a mission to recruit new artists from other disciplines, expanding the collection of art we bring to you, painting included.

Stay tuned.

April Trip by Mike Ferguson

A guest post from Artful Home Controller Bill Lathrop

The first question you might ask is – why would the finance guy be writing about painting. Well, the finance guy spent almost seven years pursuing a career as a fine artist – I am a painter. And to shed light on my particular perspective – I am primarily a landscape painter – focusing on the natural world. My best work came from several experiences I had with the National Park Service as Artist in Residence.

I am also a technical painter – interested in putting the theories of color, drawing, value and composition to their best use. This probably makes me more critical of representational painting – landscape included – versus more abstract subject. With respect to abstract work though, I would argue that the visual theories (color, drawing, etc.) are just as relevant as they are with representational painting.

I have been spending time browsing our selection of painting. I was caught up in the work of Mike Ferguson. I’m particularly fascinated by his painting, "April Trip". This painting has the right balance between bringing you into the subject and using abstract properties of the paint to reinforce the two-dimensional nature of the picture plane. I love the dynamic tension that can be created between those two forces. Ferguson’s color and style take me to the Group of Seven – the Canadian painters of the early twentieth century that painted the Canadian wilderness. Tom Thomson and Lauren Harris are my favorites of that group and you can see hints of their great work in Ferguson’s paintings. Keep an eye on this painter – he is doing great work.