Roger Bass

Artist Statement

The Basics

I have always enjoyed drawing, and as an Architect, most of my livelihood depended upon it. Traditionally, the discipline known as Mechanical Drawing was an essential part of every Architect’s skill set. Since the 1990’s drawing became more and more the realm of sophisticated mechanical contrivances, and the results were amazingly detailed and often quite spectacular. However, the act of drawing, for the person performing it, changed so radically that those of us “old school” enough to have grown up with ruling pens on linen were in danger of becoming vestigial.

Years ago one of my kids was visiting me at work. He, the youngster, was getting a bit boisterous and noisy, and my wife admonished him to be quiet since he might be disturbing all the people trying to work. He looked up at her like she had lost her mind and just said, “They not workin Ma, they drawin!”

To his 3 year old eyes it was clear as day, drawing is play not work. We all need to remember that lesson.

Getting back to the basics of having fun with the play of drawing is what has drawn (pun intended?) me to painting.

The Joy Rediscovered

When I discovered the world of Acrylics and everything they could do, it was a revelation. The current technology allows the paint to be used as everything from translucent washes to almost sculptural impasto with ease. For me this was taking a step back to the time when drawing was an actual physical activity. I now paint for the pure joy of the painting experience.

Joy is something in short supply in today’s world. So, as I experience the enjoyment of the creative painting experience, it is my hope to transmit some of that feeling out to the world.

The Simple & The Complex

I enjoy taking simple geometric shapes and using them as the bases for exploration. Intersections, overlaps, layers and textures lead to often lovely and unexpected shapes & colors. I delight in using an array of media, including extra heavy gels, to play with transparent, translucent and semi-opaque layers. Using simple tools such as combs, forks and even ?ngers a wide range of textures.