Artist Feature: Andres Torres

Andres Torres – Artist Feature

When I first moved to South Dakota, I was straight out of grad school and the high number of pheasant and black lab paintings that I saw everywhere were a bit overwhelming.  I was so happy to meet Andres and other artists working outside of the ‘Pheasant & Lab genre’ fairly soon after moving here.  Despite being a fairly rural state, South Dakota has a pretty amazing cohort of young artists making great work.  

I’ve been keeping an eye on Andres’ work ever since I met him about two years ago.  Each body of work he’s made has been better than the last, and I’m excited to see his work continue to evolve. 

Andres Torres
"Aquafresh" - House Paint, Acrylic, T-shirt on Panel - Andres Torres

There is a wonderful playfulness in his paintings, and a great balance between purposeful mark-making and slightly obscured chaos. 

Andres Torres

 "Lollipop" - House Paint, Acrylic, T-shirt on Panel - Andres Torres

There are subtle references to form, yet none are blaringly obvious – Andres stops each painting at the perfect point – without overworking or adding superfluous detail.  There is such beauty in the simplicity and interaction between forms in these works.   


Andres Torres
 "Brown Rainbow" - House Paint, Oil, Acrylic on Canvas - Andres Torres


The eye calmly led through these works, yet there is also a sense of underlying uncertainty. 

Andres Torres
 "Above and Beyond" - House Paint & Acrylic on Panel - Andres Torres

There is a focus on line, shape, and color in these works, but the slight imperfections and occasional sign of the artists’ hand in the work keeps them grounded and communicates the imperfections we find in our lives. 


I can’t wait to see more.  

Snail Painting Timelapse

I put together another quick timelapse of a painting that I'm currently working on.  It shows the initial layer of paint (the under-painting) being applied to the canvas.  This covers about 2-3 hours of work, and is done from observation.


I'm in the middle of the third layer now, and you can see the progress:

Coming along slowly but surely.  Just like a snail... :D

Now I've just got to 'tighten' everything up and add some of the small details.

Getting my work packed and ready to install at the Brookings community cultural center.  The glamorous life if a artist.

I also packed up and delivered 30+ paintings to Brookings for my next show which starts next week and runs through the 19th of July.

Big thanks to the lovely assistants at the BAC who helped install the show!
My wonderful assistants for the day!

New additions.
I also may have picked up a few new 'subjects' at the thrift shop on my way home.

Hope you are all having a lovely and productive summer. :)

In the Garden

It is amazing how much a garden can grow in a few days!

Here's a peek at the progress:

2013 Garden
Zucchini, radishes, raspberry buds, and baby basil!

2013 Garden
Flowers, kohlrabi, and the first tomato buds.

2013 Garden
Red onions, cucumbers, and beets.

2013 Garden
Scallop squash, flowers, lettuce mix.

2013 Garden
Swiss chard, the tallest tiniest adorable asparagus, and bush beans.


Colorado Adventure

Last week we set out on a road trip to Colorado to visit our good friends John & Heidi.  We did a ton of hiking and eating - and may have had a beer or two.

Colorado Adventure
We had good weather the whole drive.  Some people bemoan driving through eastern South Dakota and Nebraska, but I love the rolling hills and wide-open spaces.

Colorado Adventure
I also had a good amount of time to work on the lace scarf I've been chugging away at for what seems like ages.  It is finished now except for blocking!

Colorado Adventure
We spent the first night in Denver, and then headed into the Mountains to John's parents' place to do some hiking.

Colorado Adventure
John, Heidi, Nate, and I.

Colorado Adventure
Snow!  It is much easier to hack a little bit of snow on the trails when it is 60 degrees and sunny.

Colorado Adventure
At the 'Library' having a few drinks, and a ton of nachos.

On our last full day in the mountains, we set off on a 11 mile hike to Granite falls on the western side of Rocky Mountain National Park.
Colorado Adventure
Taking a break by the creek.

Colorado Adventure

Colorado Adventure
It was a great and challenging hike - we went through thick forest, meadows, nearby rivers, and then up to the falls.

Colorado Adventure

Colorado Adventure
On the way down we ran into a few Moose as well - this one was standing right on the trail.

Colorado Adventure
It was a great trip, and it was a ton of fun to hang with John & Heidi.

Colorado Adventure

Colorado Adventure
The view from their apartment in Cap Hill on our last night in Denver. :)