Bliss Series
“Follow your bliss”. Joseph Campbell
My bliss is my Freed Painting. These past four years have brought me challenges and joy. There are times when I complete a painting and am not quite sure what I am looking at, because it is nothing I have seen before. I feel a sense of elation and enthusiasm to keep working and see what else comes.
I am excited about this time in my life. It is a time of transition in my work. The Levels Series and Of Heaven and Earth Series paintings moved paint away from the wall and projected it out into space. Now, along with the Chandelier Series, I am pleased to present the Bliss Series. These paintings leave the wall completely and hang in the middle of the room. . . Paint, suspended, hovering in space, almost levitating. Have you ever looked at a tree and through an opening, seen the leaves on the other side of the tree? This experience of physical depth is inherent in these paintings. This is Freed Painting at the height of its power.
The Freed paintings of the Bliss Series are intended to be viewed in the round, 360 degrees of viewing. The concepts of “front” and back” no longer apply. A circumferential perspective must be brought when considering/appreciating these paintings. This is new and exciting for viewers and for the Art World.
Welcome to my Bliss Series. Enjoy!
Bliss #1
Bliss #1 is made up of yellow and orange strands on one side and blue and green strands on the other. There is no “front” of “back” to this painting. The painting is meant to be circumnavigated and considered in its whole. This is a whole new way of experiencing a painting.
Painting completed 8-8-22
Painting dimensions: H: 72″ X W: 72″
Bliss #2 (Spectrum)
Reminiscent of my 2019 Freed painting entitled Spectrum, this second in my Bliss Series of Freed paintings also explores the color spectrum, but in a different way. This painting uses the quality of transparency to highlight varying densities of color. Never becoming fully opaque, light passes through the varying colors of the painting making it appear almost like a stained-glass window. It makes for a unique and innovative viewing experience for the audience, especially when there is 360 degrees of accessibility. With no front or back, viewers can walk around and appreciate this painting in ways not previously possible.
Painting completed 9-20-22
Painting dimensions: H: 72” X W: 72”
Bliss #3
Bliss #3 is similar to my first Bliss Series painting in that it has two distinctly different sides; there is no front or back. One side has purple tendrils with yellow splotches amidst a web of clear strands. The other side consists of violet tendrils and blue splotches in a web of clear strands. When the light hits this painting it is like looking at crystal dazzling in the light.
This is Jackson Pollock without a canvas and transparent. A truly unique visual experience.
Painting completed 9-20-22
Painting dimensions: H: 72″ X W: 72″ Approximately
Please view the YouTube video link here to see a walk around description of the painting: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/gbVYrAB53jY
Bliss #4
Bliss #4 is a study of the subtle interplay between transparency and iridescent/pearlescent color. A fascinating thing happens as you move around the painting and the light hits the iridescent splotches. It’s like mini fireworks going off. Blue, green, red, orange, lilac burst into view and then recede as you continue moving around the painting. It makes for an exciting and surprising visual experience.
Please view the attached YouTube link to watch a walk around description of the painting: https://youtube.com/shorts/H1W29Eq3F2w?
Painting completed 10-4-22
Painting dimensions: H: 72” X W: 72”
Bliss #5 (Birds in Flight)
I am excited to present my 5th Bliss Series Freed painting because it is unlike any of my other Freed paintings. Here, an abundance of paint and color has been liberated and expresses itself freely in three-dimensional space. The sub-title for this painting is Birds in Flight. I think that captures and conveys the sense of liberation and possibility that is experienced when viewing this painting..
Painting completed 10-23-22
Painting dimensions: H: 72″ X W: 72″ Approximately
Please view the YouTube video link here to see a walk around description of the painting: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/RsrbkVAzLSY
Bliss #6
Bliss #6 is a deep study of transparency with splashes of varying densities of blues and greens on one side and yellows, oranges and reds on the other. Due to the transparency, the viewer can see and appreciate the colors on the other side of the painting. In this way, a viewer can see a comprehensive composition from either side of the painting, but with different emphasis, depending on which side of the painting you are standing. This is a completely new and unique visual experience.
Please view the YouTube video at this link to see a walk around description of the painting: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/8dyw3YBv6E4
Painting completed 10-26-22
Painting dimensions: H: 72” X W: 72”
