Tag: jazz

Charcoal

I have just started experimenting with charcoal. I am sure as I use it more, I will become even better but right away I feel it a successful medium for me.

There is a looseness to charcoal which lends itself to an emotional expressionism. When I do a charcoal piece, i do not use pencil first. To utilize the safety net of being able to erase is to miss the point of what charcoal has to offer.

Here are my very first tries. With the portraits i have done, there is a sort of gauze like effect. For myself, i generally work fast. Charcoal seems to want the speed of hand as to offer up more organic depth.

“Miles” 9×12 “Left Bank,Paris” 9×12

 

 

by Wayne Wolfson

Cecil Taylor

Cecil Taylor 1929-2018
His was such a singular voice. Despite how new and unique his work, he was also incorporating aspects of Western modern classical tradition and forward thinking jazz composer/musicians (who also worked at times off a classical template) such as Duke Ellington.

He also drew into himself for inspiration sources outside of music such as poetry and architecture.

I had just done a portrait of Cecil 3-17. In keeping with his outside the box approach, i decided to honor him w/sculpture.

I have been doing sculptures for years but look on them as a largely private matter.

Mostly it is done to keep the juices flowing, not really with any intent to show or sell them.
Stylistically, they are akin to some of what Cy Twombly & Robert Rauschenberg did. (one part totemic object, one part sort of a chronicle of a moment). There is also a strong improvisational element to my sculptures. I use what is around and what speaks to me with no pre plan.
Viva Cecil April 6,2018

 

Ceciltaylorsculpture

 

 

by Wayne Wolfson

The Perch

Watercolor  Paper 5.5×8.5

 

Every time I return to Paris I find something new to treasure. To just walk the now familiar streets or look out at night over the rooftops while Zoot Sims plays is a pleasure I never tire of.

 

This is view of Left Bank I haunt. 34963289155_c98e846dc2_o

by Wayne Wolfson

Two Drawings

I draw every day, regardless of where in the world I am. My ever present companion is my pocket sketchpad. Even after finishing a painting, that night I will still spend an hour or so drawing.

I will do fully realized pieces but also sometimes fill pages with endless sketches of lips, breasts, eyes and especially hands.

“Woodshedding” it is akin to musicians practicing scales. Some pieces from my pocket pads are fully realized and have been sold, while others are just results of a night’s or cafe visits woodshedding. Both feel equally pleasurable & important to me.

 

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by Wayne Wolfson