FEATURED ARTIST: SEPTEMBER 1 - 30

MICHAEL EPP

I’m not that crazy about describing or explaining my art. The more I write or talk the further from the truth it seems. Either the art grabs you or it doesn’t – it shouldn’t need explanations from the artist or anybody else, in my opinion. As the man said, the only true critique of a work of art is another work of art, and I whole-heartedly agree with that.

All works of art are essentially objects of contemplation. Often, they are also attractive accessories to the background of someone’s life. Purchasing a work of art, hanging it up, and inviting one’s friends over for a glass of wine and to discuss the artwork is part of a cultured life.

In my own case, to paint a picture I usually need to see something that grabs me and demands to be painted – although I will add that sometimes, out of boredom or frustration, I can go looking for a subject at random and these can end up being some of my best paintings. (I’m reminded of the story of George Harrison deciding to write a song, grabbing a book, letting it fall open, and seeing the phrase ‘gently weeps’). Calla Lilies is one such. I saw Mumtaz Bandali’s painting “Calla Lilies in a Bowl” in the gallery window and felt inspired to search online until I found an image of calla lilies that I liked, then I decided to add some yellow apples, playing around with arrangements until I felt I had something I could commit to. At one level, the painting is about the 2 bands of yellow running across the canvas. I like it when a painting can be reduced to an essence: though not all of mine can.

Recently, as of last fall, I’ve committed to painting every day, and I’ve mostly managed to keep this up. It’s usually at the end of the day, after all the things that need to be done have been done. I usually feel tired when I go up to the attic to work, but then time sort of stops, and by the end I feel mentally refreshed, because there’s something about the act of making that is, I feel, essential and integral to human nature. I’m always glad I spent the time, setting aside the inevitable frustrations, and things that just don’t turn out. Inevitably, it seems, after slogging through a number of paintings, one comes along that, magically, more or less paints itself, and these are the moments I live for, but to have them, you have to put in the time.

Michael Epp

Instagram: michaelepp61

Web: michaelepp.com