David Schell
A Decorative Object
2018 oil on canvas 30" x 30" Available
Artists
Statement
Systems and structures often appear to be propped up at the same instant that they are changing or falling apart. We have short periods of time in our culture, physical appearance, identity, fashion, and overall taste that seem structured and well defined, but they are just snapshots. My work is about moments of stability in the midst of constant transformation. I want the structures in my paintings to look as though they were formerly something else and soon to be something new. The moment that we are seeing has its own logic, organization, and form. But it won't last.
The shapes, layers, and colors in my paintings are usually planned in advance. I use drawings, stencils, digital editing tools, and predetermined color combinations to help me compose my images. What I have found, however, is that I’m completely incapable of following my own directions. My designs are guides, but the paintings have no set route to completion. Instead, I rely heavily on intuition when making final decisions about color, shape, and form.