Contemporary Oil Paintings

This abstract oil painting from the 2022 Ladi Tesserae Collection, “Silhouette,” delves into the ethereal experience of viewing a silhouette beyond the physical realm. The piece presents a busy yet focused composition, centered on a faint, hard-to-see silhouette. Utilizing a darker backdrop of burgundies and golds, the artist creates sporadic scatterings of color that form a vague, golden silhouette. The unique technique of layering dried oil paint pieces on wet oil paint enhances the sense of depth and mystery. The intent is to capture the transition from the introspective view seen in “Through the Veil” to something more tangible yet elusive. The silhouette subtly peeks through the painting with hints of gold and yellow, inviting viewers to ponder the thin line between the seen and unseen. This contemporary work encapsulates the delicate balance of the tangible and the almost unviewable, evoking a profound sense of spiritual contemplation.

This abstract oil painting, a contemporary piece from the Ladi Tesserae Collection (2022), captures the essence of meditative energy through a unique mosaic technique. The artist employs dried oil paint pieces scattered intentionally across the canvas, creating a dynamic yet contemplative atmosphere. Dominated by a sporadic color palette of reds and blues, the painting invites viewers to experience a blend of serenity and vibrancy. The reds, though initially background elements, assert themselves to the foreground, guiding the observer’s focus and evoking a sense of energetic calm. This innovative artwork serves as a visual manifestation of the artist’s meditative perspective, blending chaos and intention in harmonious balance.

“Inner Child” emerged from a desire to liberate creativity from the constraints of adult experience. Stripping away influences, the goal was to create joyfully without rules, echoing the uninhibited spirit of a child’s imagination.

Employing an innovative technique, I utilized dried oil paint to craft scraps and shapes with childlike methods, intentionally disregarding traditional approaches. The aim was to please the inner child, fostering a sense of freedom in the artistic process.

The elementary color palette mirrors choices a child might make, infusing the painting with simplicity and vibrancy, capturing the essence of youthful spontaneity.

The structure is sporadic and random, intentionally avoiding rules or influences. The composition is a celebration of freedom and fun, embodying the carefree nature of childhood creativity.

This painting served as inspiration for the Ladi Tesserae series, where innovative methods of sculpture and oil painting converge. The series explores the breakdown of physical and external influences to delve into one’s inner self.

Viewers are invited to tap into their own inner child. Approach “Inner Child” as one would view the world as a young child—through untainted eyes, embracing the joy, curiosity, and freedom that come with reconnecting to one’s inner creative essence.

This abstract oil painting from the 2022 Ladi Tesserae Collection explores the spiritual and meditative theme of the veil to the spiritual realm. Utilizing a warm palette of browns and golds, the artist creates a busy yet peaceful atmosphere that invites contemplation. Employing a distinctive technique of layering dried oil paint pieces on wet oil paint, the piece evokes the sensation of peering through a veil during a meditative state. The focal point extends beyond the canvas, drawing the viewer into an imagined space beyond the physical painting. This contemporary artwork captures the elusive experience of seeking deeper spiritual insight through meditation.

Part of the 2022 Ladi Tesserae Collection, “Detritus” delves into the theme of the death of the physical self and realm. This abstract oil painting conveys a darker yet serene mood through a palette dominated by deep blues and dark shades, punctuated with greys and occasional bursts of red and yellow. Employing the unique technique of layering dried oil paint pieces on wet oil paint, the piece captures the interplay between movement and stillness, evoking the imagery of earthly decay juxtaposed with cosmic elements. The focal point extends beyond the canvas, inviting viewers to look “through” the painting into a space that oscillates between the physical and spiritual realms. This contemporary work seeks to illustrate the transient nature of existence, reflecting the delicate balance between decay and the ethereal.

From the 2022 Ladi Tesserae Collection, “Expand” explores themes of movement and outward growth. This abstract painting evokes a sense of dynamic expansion through a rich interplay of colors and textures. The background, crafted with reds and blues, sets a vibrant stage for the foreground, where sporadic dried paint pieces in greens, blues, and reds create an outward movement from the center. Utilizing the same unique technique of layering dried oil paint pieces on wet oil paint, the artwork captures the essence of expanding energy. The warm reds at the center transition to cooler blues at the edges, guiding the viewer’s eye outward and symbolizing the journey from physical to spiritual self. This contemporary piece visually narrates the theme of breaking down the physical to delve into the spiritual, aligning with the overarching motif of the Ladi Tesserae Collection.

“Weaving Oil Paint,” part of the 2022 Ladi Tesserae Collection, stands out with its innovative technique and muted palette. This abstract piece uses a more monotone style compared to the vibrant colors of other works in the collection, directing focus to the groundbreaking manipulation of the oil paint medium. A light white background sets the stage for muted blues, greys, and browns in the foreground, where dried oil paint is intricately woven. The primary intent is to showcase the artist’s playful experimentation with oil paint, free from traditional constraints. This piece highlights the pioneering approach of weaving oil paint, a technique never seen before, emphasizing creativity and innovation. The artwork invites viewers to appreciate the bold reimagining of the medium, celebrating the intersection of art and invention within the contemporary context of the Ladi Tesserae Collection.

“Quanta,” a vibrant addition to the 2022 Ladi Tesserae Collection, explores the concept of the smallest discrete unit of energy within a bound state. This energetic piece exudes brightness and vitality, with a color palette dominated by vibrant reds and yellows, accented by dark greens and browns. Employing the innovative weaving technique introduced in “Weaving Oil Paint,” as well as sculpting techniques seen throughout the collection, “Quanta” showcases the interconnectedness of the artworks within the series. The weaving techniques, in darker hues, intersect with the dominant reds, drawing the viewer’s eye to three distinct sectors, evoking a sense of explosiveness or light escaping. Through this dynamic composition, the painting delves into the concept of energy at both the smallest and largest scales, inviting viewers to contemplate the invisible forces that shape our reality. As with the other pieces in the collection, “Quanta” prompts reflection on the boundaries between the seen and unseen, the physical and the abstract.

“Flow,” a vibrant piece from the 2022 Ladi Tesserae Collection, captures the dynamic energy of movement through an abstract, wave-like form. This painting exudes a bright and vivacious mood, with a composition reminiscent of the barrel of a wave. Dominated by blues, reds, and corals against a turquoise background, the artwork employs the distinctive technique of placing dried oil paint pieces on wet oil paint. The colorful arrangement over turquoise and brown hues creates a flowing pattern, evoking the natural rhythm and movement of water. Through this visual metaphor, the artist likens the flow of energy to the undulating waves of the ocean, inviting viewers to experience the fluidity and vitality of life’s energies. This contemporary work is a striking testament to the interconnectedness of all things, expressed through the harmonious movement of color and form.