| Artist: Brooke Harker Title: Dreams in Concrete Size: 48" x 48"
Medium: Mixed Media-acrylic, Japanese ink & oil on canvas Presentation: Gallery Wrapped Canvas-3/4" stretcher bars, sides painted paynes grey-looks black
Description: "Dreams in Concrete" is part of my current series inspired by urban and
coastal live sketches. This piece comes from a sketch made out a hotel
window in Hollywood. I went to visit longtime friends who were in town
from the days when I lived in Germany. We ventured out on the boulevard
and as I walked behind my ten-year-old friend, I found myself wanting to
explain that Hollywood Blvd. isn't that pretty. He thought he would see
stars and I was tempted to let him know that he might see homeless
people ranting or have the chance to get his photo with a bitter man
dressed in a dirty, ripped Spiderman costume. He didn’t see it that way.
It fascinated me that a place so dirty could look so shiny to him,
giving people hope and inspiring imagination. Before I proceeded in
dashing his young dreams, I paused to recognize that his vision was his
reality and pondered trying to see with unjaded eyes...the choice amazed
me. The street lit up, the grit faded to the background. I watched my
friend dance to street music and I snapped joyful photos as if I were a
tourist. I laughed at this amusing game. When we return to their hotel, I
made a huge sketch from the window which became the inspiration for
three large paintings also including "Carnival of Dreams" and "Hollywood
Undressed." Since then, I have made more sketches in Hollywood which
have inspired more paintings and I continue to seek out new urban
scenes, finding beauty in that which I don't understand.
Brooke's work is on display at Gallery 104 in San Clemente.
Contact us for more information at 1-888-9-FINEART or contact the artist at brooke@brookeharker.com
Artist Information
| Website: | www.brookeharker.com
|
|
| | Facebook: | www.facebook.com/pages/Brooke-Harker-Paintings |
|
| | Biography: | Brooke Harker creates vivid images with oils on canvas in a variety of styles, from color abstractions to recognizable images and detailed portraits. Her paintings draw inspiration from extensive work with children and youth around the world, from her native home of Iowa to Japan, China, Italy, Germany and LA. Now based in the San Fernando Valley, she continues to explore sharing her energy on canvas and paper. The spirit of play found in Brooke's paintings, reflect a nature dedicated to inspiring children and encouraging adults to love the children within themselves. She currently shows in galleries, alternative spaces and charitable events benefiting children in need. Her work lives in various locations in the US, Asia, Europe, and Australia.
| | Statement: |
My paintings are inspired by different time periods in my life. Being witnesses to the experiences that shape me, strokes and images are like journal entries. Some are made in an hour, while other paintings compile pieces over years. Recently I have come to understand that the process of painting feels like a meditation, and is my opportunity to connect to a power greater than myself. It is said that the world becomes a better place when each person connects to their joy, so I paint because I feel free and full of love. I believe that the key ingredient in art is love. There is no "fixing" that solves a composition in my eyes. It is adding love and energy that makes a piece work. Yet every work does not have to be a masterpiece. The experience of creating is the best part of the journey. I stand and paint in an outdoor studio that feels like a garden where fairies live. As a tree has grown to a shade canopy covering most of my patio. Recent work takes flight on the other side of my fence in the sunshine. Passing neighbors and strangers stop to tell me about their lives, visit me with their dogs, ask questions and once a man told me that if I planned a painting in Photoshop first I would know what I was doing. I laughed at the thought of me attempting to use my least developed trait, logic. I tend to meet random people when I sketch or paint on location who stop to tell me about their lives. I take this as a compliment. Their stories become part of the artwork and entertain me. I believe that every work of art, if listened to, tells its own story.and continues on its own journey after it leaves my hands. My most recent works blend the energy from on location sketching with studio work on canvas utilizing drippy acrylic washes, Japanese ink and thick oil strokes made with a palette knife depicting abstractions of cityscapes. I am drawn to finding beauty in repetitive shapes of urban landscape and the life that passes through each frame. In past collections, I have fallen in love with bicycles, umbrellas, or making sense of colors layered colors upon each other like pieces of a quilted puzzle. Regardless of the form the paintings take, the intention remains the same: to be present in the moment the brush hits the canvas, learn along the way, and feel love. |
|
| | Exhibitions: | Currently showing 9 works at Sarazin Salon in Sherman Oaks. 2011 20 Paintings at Sababa Restaurant & Lounge, Long Beach, CA, solo show; "2nd Annual Thirst Gala," fundraiser for the The Thirst Project, Los Angeles,CA "The Sound of the Balkans 2nd Annual Fundraising Concert & Silent Auction," raising funds for The Bosana Foundation Barnstall Gallery Theatre, Hollywood,CA "Get Art4LA," fundraiser for Project Angel Food Siren Studios, Hollywood, CA "Turning Art into Hope: An Evening for Japan" presented by The Art Spotter at Left Coast Galleries, Group Art Auction for Mercy Corps The Water Gallery, Venice CA "Bicycle Stories," solo show 2010 Season 8 of Hell's Kitchen on FOX, featuring "Winter City" & "Orange City" California Studio Root 66, Highland Park, CA, solo show Qusqo Bistro & Gallery,Los Angeles, CA, solo show The Happening Gallery, Marina del Rey, CA, group show VOCA Gallery, Venice, CA featured in group show "Bike Art V," Altered Esthetics, Minneapolis, MN, group show Paintings from "Quilted Cities," Fritto Misto, Santa Monica, CA, solo show "Paintings from the Collections of Brooke Harker," Stanleys, Sherman Oaks, CA solo show 2009 "100 under 100," Catalyst Artist Collective, LA "Umbrella Stories," M Street Coffee and Photoflow Gallery, Sherman Oaks, CA, solo show. "It Takes A Village," ACFCLA-Barnsdall Gallery Theatre, Hollywood, CA, group show. "Ego Armagedon," L.A. Art @ Golden Bridge, Hollywood, CA, group show. 2008 "Telling Stories with Color," The Eclectic, North Hollywood, CA, solo show. "Infinity Ate," Sponto Gallery, Venice, CA, group show. "Noho Scene," street festival, North Hollywood, CA, solo booth display. "Fool's Fest," Sponto Gallery, Venice, CA, group show. 2007 "Art International," NoHo Gallery LA, N. Hollywood, group show, curated by Dan Debevoise. "Abstract Oil Paintings by Brooke Harker," Coffee Fix, Studio City, CA, solo show. Beverly Hills Affaire in the Gardens, select pieces through Noho Gallery LA "Noho Arts Fest," street festival, North Hollywood, CA, select pieces "Oils on Canvas by Brooke Harker," Bourgeois Pig, Hollywood, CA, solo show. 2005 "Colorful Place," Follow Your Heart, Canoga Park, CA, solo show. 2004 "Tom Pergola Art Festival," Tarzana, CA, solo booth. 2003 "Art and Opera," ACTORS, Ames, IA, solo show. Fundraisers/Non-Profit/Charity: 2010 "Global Art Exhibit:Art & Action" POP/LOCK Gallery, Los Angeles, group show donation to Los Angeles bicycle coalition fundraiser 2009 painting raffle from "Umbrella Stories," portion of proceeds raised went to The Painted Turtle. St. Fransis Silent Auction, donated original 2008 St. Francis dinner fundraiser @ The Noho Lofts, solo show. Bicycle paintings hung to honor Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition, Noho Gallery LA |
|
Shopping Cart - 0 item(s) / Total: $0.00
