Author: Wayne Wolfson

Wayne Wolfson is a completely self-taught artist. His main mediums are watercolor on paper in a figurative style, graphite and collage. His works have been seen in shows & and private collections worldwide. Wayne cites music as his key influence. With collage, his are a little different than the rest. He only uses images from photos which he personally took. He is so serious about collaging that he came up with a term for his ( Cinefield®) which he then had trademarked. The definition is "Flat, two-dimensional visual works of art on paper which create the feeling of movie-like narratives through a composition of image rich and story-like printed pictures." He never uses any digital magic. All his work utilizes the traditional method of scissors and adhesive applied with brush. It is very time consuming and he equates it to some extent to the master watchmakers and those bent over their bench haute couture maestros who hand sew every bead onto a piece.

Nightmare of Reason

Anyone who reads my various online sites knows that I largely eschew politics. I am a voracious reader of non-fiction, especially biographies. It always comes across as strange when the journals/letter or straight biography on an artist has zero commentary on major upheavals occurring around them. Especially, as one can be completely oblivious to politics and other strife but still have their lives drastically effected by it. So, on rare occasions I make commentary.

One can write off politics and such as “Not my thing”. This is fine, but it will still effect all artists regardless of medium and genre. Not necessarily in how works are created but in the zeitgeist which ultimately influences where they can be seen and by whom.

I have never felt it is the artist’s duty to have program or message transmitted via their works. The real duty of all artists is to do your thing. Culture is important as it offers a brief reprieve from the grind and struggle. It is a reminder that there are things out there bigger than ourselves and more permanent.

If you are not a creator, audience is equally as important. In refreshing yourself and the (brief) cessation of life’s negatives comes the recouping of strength/will. Being able to redirect concentration from mere struggle allows for getting closer to being the best version of oneself. This is a tool to make the world a better place.

This is actually a quick sketch, larger than I normally work.

14×17 Inches soft lead pencil.

A graphite elegiac musing. There is nothing constructive in non-pundits now doing a post mortem. There is no one thing, this person shouldn’t have done/said this, that person is to blame because… Fact of the matter is, the finger could be pointed at missteps on campaign trail or how tricks were played by the other side but more than half the country casted votes a certain way.

To rail against it is to punch at waves as they crash towards the shore, it might make you feel better in the moment but ultimately is without purpose. Better to change the landscape than fight the players and in this art can be of use.

by Wayne Wolfson

Selfie : Swankenstein’s Monster

As my next idea for a Cinefield® slowly forms, I have done another painting. It is a self portrait.

On my last trip I had a photo taken at an odd angle. So many people try to present an idealized version of themselves in photos or art to the point of almost being artificial, it’s not really the person but rather a sort of two dimensional wish fulfillment.

It was the exact opposite of this concept which made the photo appeal to me as an art source. I looked as if I could use a kip and maybe a bit of sun light. The fatigue keeps me from looking overly menacing or brooding. The bags and bruises a beautiful truth.

Despite my mien, as is usually the case, I was nicely turned out. Witness me, staggering through the hotel lobby growling “Fire bad” but in a crisp shirt and jacket.

Watercolor on tan paper 11×17 inches.

A study for painting

by Wayne Wolfson

LuLu

Just finished my latest Cinefield®. This is the most rhythmically complex piece I have done. I am very pleased with the results.

The piece is 11×17 inches. As is always the case, the images are only from photos which I personally took. I used the traditional method of my tiny, trusty scissors and adhesive applied with a brush.

(C) Wayne Wolfson. Not for use without permission

by Wayne Wolfson

Lyra

I am well underway with work on my latest Cinefield®. When I first finish a piece, I definitely need to take a break as I reach the point of seeing tiny pieces of cut out paper in my sleep. After a certain amount of time, my batteries recharged, I feel ready to do another.

Upon the start of a piece I am immediately reminded of how labor intensive the work is, and how much space it takes up.

I can’t do paintings at same time as a Cinefield®. The Lyra medium allows me to keep up my painting chops but takes up no more space than my nightly drawing woodshedding.

Getting the painterly (although monochrome) effects with Lyra sticks makes it “easier” to achieve when using my regular paints.

I do view this medium with equal seriousness and enthusiasm as painting. Never a second class citizen, here are some quick pieces while I work on current project.

Always looking for interesting things to draw, email me if you think you have something which might be of interest. Worst case scenario, I politely pass.

by Wayne Wolfson

Sasha

Back from the road. I finally had success in getting raw fuel for my next CINEFIELD® pieces. The amount of time it takes to do them combined with all other things I also work on means that I am now fully booked as far as they go until December.

It sound weird to say this in the tail end of August but it’s matter of time to actually creating plus all other things I will work on concurrently. It does not bother me.

With social media and the internet in general, whether its work being seen or responses, it’s easy to get instant gratification. My work would have grown stronger quicker back in the day had I actually gone slower.

I know this seems counterintuitive and definitely hard to do with the temptation of all those eyes available to check out a work immediately upon completion. My advice to anyone up and coming, let the process come first, let the process add to the chops then start to really worry about site numbers etc. Long run your work will be stronger and you will be able make longer term schedule which lends to work growing organically (chops too).

Even though I can now start a CINEFIELD® it will be a bit before its ready. This space will show what I am doing concurrent to that work.

Sasha 9×12 chalk

by Wayne Wolfson

MF

Well, still have not been able to take photos to serve as raw fuel for my Cinefield® work. Ironically, I have managed to do my fine art photo work, but that’s a different animal.

I am fortunate though, I have enough other mediums to work in as to stay out of trouble. I have been doing paintings, switching styles of paper. The loose knit theme behind the pieces is the portrayal of flesh.

This piece is white * French Cotton paper 5×7 inches.

  • * I had a buddy in Paris who worked at one of my favorite art stores. I am lucky that right around my place are many, each one has different purpose for me: “my pencil place” et al. We would chat & he would give me employ discount, sometimes even more than that. I would load up on equipment.
  • I was reorganizing one of the tabouret in my studio. This block of white cotton paper he gave me had been hidden under yellow legal pad on which I had written an idea for a sculpture.
  • I realized that it had been many, many years ago he had thrown a bunch of landscape sketchpads into a backpack and pursued a boho girl to Ibiza. A few postcards and then even people he had worked with for years stopped hearing from him. I don’t know if he ever got the girl but I still haven’t used up all the stuff he gave me.
by Wayne Wolfson

Cakettes

I am not a fan of The Byrds. However, they do have one album I enjoy. It is unique in their catalog and the artistic direction was abandoned, never to be touched upon again in their body of work

Sweetheart of the Rodeo

It is largely informed by the artistic leanings of new member Gram Parsons. Stylistically, it is the nascent version of alt country-rock. During the recording there was a lot of infighting within the band and a jockeying for control which is in contrast to the overall sweetness to the music.

Listening to it now, whether you like it or not, it does not come across as something which would be controversial. In 1968 though, it was. The brief tour was disastrous, made worse by some of the personalities in the band. This version of the band imploded and the countrified direction jettisoned.

Gram Parson would form The Flying Burrito Brothers with Byrd bassists Chris Hillman. The ‘Burritos would be influential, echoes of what they did rippling out to later groups such as the Eagles, Wilco and many others.

I have always followed the maxim of Duke Ellington, there are only two kinds of music, good & bad. I have big ears and although jazz & classical are my main things I have many things I enjoy which would surprise people. ‘Burritos being one of those things.

The latest birthday cake from the Cakettes is a masterpiece. I would like to point out, nothing was molded. Every little piece was done by hand. The cowgirl & figures were constructed of individual pieces.

More info on cake:

Almond joconde

Grand Mariner Italian meringue buttercream

Dark chocolate ganache

Cowboys made from grand Marnier royal icing

Sweetheart and band label are thyme shortbread cookie

Flowers are meringue and homemade marzipan

Written tablets are homemade marzipan 

Album title is meringue

Addendum: I know having my name on image sort wrecks effect. Generation Instagram has no problem taking images they like for content w/out attribution. To take something someone worked hard on for your site and write “I don’t know who did this” is not a get out of jail free card. I would say to anyone, if you see an image you like and dont have info on who created it, if it is not public domain then it is stealing.

by Wayne Wolfson

Reflex

Still in painting mode. I am literally hours away from short trip which in theory will provide me with photographs to use as raw material for my Cinefield® work. Having had an enforced break, initially I chafed, since I was not controlling the tempo. I now see a positive in having had wait what feels like a long time before creating my next one.

The wait has allowed me to have some new ideas and allowed me to approach my Cinefield® work feeling refreshed.

It will be interesting to see what next one is like as photos dictate the flavor of the piece.

In the interim, here is new painting.

Reflex 11×17 inches Watercolor & Tan Paper. I did a study for this which I don’t do with all my paintings.

Annnnnnnnnnnd I am off. Always looking for interesting things to draw & paint email me if you think you have something to offer.

by Wayne Wolfson

Cap

I was reading an article by a modern thinker or what some would label as a philosopher. He pointed out that in modern society happiness has now become largely defined in North America as when things go 100% one’s way. Everything coming up roses with zero effort, resistance or work required is not what one should aspire to. The rare if not impossible occurrence of such a state existing aside, a little bit of tension, setbacks, challenges, these things foster evolution. Grit creates pearls and pressure diamonds and to avoid these aspects of life is to miss out.

The weather has still not been on my side for traveling and getting new photos for my Cinefield® work. I continue to use the time I would have spent creating my next Cini to paint and do various experiments with water soluble graphite.

I was initially a little annoyed at having to back-burner working on my next Cinefield® but it has allowed me to add to my painterly technique. It turned into an opportunity even though I had not initially viewed it as such.

In about two weeks I will be on the road and hopefully getting some photos to utilize.

Here is latest painting. It’s 11×17 Watercolor & tan paper.

I want an audience not customers. Social media platforms more and more force artists into being merchants or coming across as attention starved with “the numbers game” of chasing likes views et al. I have been getting emails asking what pieces I have for sale which is nice as it’s not info that i bombard people with. For anyone interested:

http://www.waynewolfson.com/works-for-sale

by Wayne Wolfson

Vibe

The short trip I had planned to take photos for my next Cinefield® had been put off. I took the time that I would have been working on that and painted. For two plus weeks now my area has been in the grip of triple digit heatwave. Getting more photos further stymied, I have continued on with painting.

I usually switch between Cinefield®, painting and other visual project, so working on so many paintings in a row is novel for me.

To keep it fresh, for each painting I change the type & size.

This one had an unique compositional balance to it. I find beauty not necessarily in what is aesthetically pleasing to the eye, but what is real.

This piece is 7×10 French Cotton paper & watercolor.

I am always looking for interesting things to paint & draw, if interested send email.

by Wayne Wolfson