Greg Haynes Fine Art - ARTIST STATEMENT

ON CREATING ART

My artistic journey begins with a simple act of observation; a mindful walk in the woods or a stroll through a vibrant garden. This immersion in nature allows me to connect with the organic beauty of the landscape and to discover botanical subjects that might inspire me.

No matter what the subject matter may be or what style and medium I might be using at any given time, I still value what is learned by sketching out my design either on site or in the studio. Sometimes, these sketches may become an inspiration for a much larger, more complete work. Or, sometimes, I begin a painting first, then make a sketch of where I think the painting could evolve.

Once I begin a painting, I explore a range of hues and colors, creating a loose interpretation of the sketch. I most often use watercolors. However, I may also use oils, acrylics, or even mixed media. Upon completion, I review what I have just painted, deciding what final touches to add. I may add highlights and details with pastels, pencils, or acrylics. Once done, I add my signature and move on to the next picture.

GARDEN LESSONS SERIES

My recent acrylic collage work allows me to improvise directly on the canvas without following a carefully thought out sketch or design. I let the colors of the garden signal where to begin applying bold color to paper and then tearing them into random shapes. There is great freedom in applying these shapes to the canvas while still paying close attention to composition, balance, movement and drama in these pieces.

Creating and maintaining a garden yields many life lessons in the process. Placing a seed in soil is a very hopeful proposition. A seed. Incredible. Once placed in the right conditions it will sprout an amazingly complex life form. If I hadn’t witnessed such an occurence myself, I would find it very hard to accept. Whether a flower or vegetable garden, both hold lessons we can discover either as a casual observer or as an active participant in their care. We plant something with big expectations only to be humbled by the fact that something went wrong and we are left with a bare spot a few months later. The bare spot then becomes our “opportunity area.” And so it goes. Year after year, the garden reminds us we are partners, not masters.

This series of acrylic paint collages was inspired by the amazing colors that have emerged from our flower and vegetable gardens. While the flowers are imaginary, I have tried to communicate the bold colors that are there in real life. How miraculous that such color originates in a seed. Everything is present in those tiny DNA packages waiting for release. While weeding, watering, altering or repairing the garden, I receive quiet little lessons over time that alter how I might process the ups and downs of human nature. The titles of the collages come from those lessons.

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