The Power of the Painter

We recently invited painter Craig Cully to visit WSU as part of our Artist Lecture Series. His exhibition, Mingle, was a grouping of psychologically laden figures all highly glossed with layers of oil paint. The exhibition was well received and many students appreciated his honest and humorous lecture. It has been a week since he left and students continue to talk about his visit; the feedback they received and the conversations they had with him. Craig spoke of the tedious way he paints layer after layer of glaze over wood panels, the small brushes and the magnifying glasses he wears while painting. His technique underscores the obsessive conceptual spaces he depicts in the work. I appreciate an artist's use of fine craft and technique to depict concept . And in my classroom I strive to maintain a balance between teaching technique and encouraging conceptual investigation.

Above Image: Defacing the Hairdresser’s Husband, oil and ballpoint pen on panel