George Hizny, otherwise known as “Geo” is an American abstract expressionist painter. Similar to Jackson Pollock, a notable artist of the abstract expressionism movement, Hizny creates his work above the picture plane using the “drip” technique to better control the application of line and direction. Hizny was able to define his own unique style that combines various elements to create layered imagery designed to evoke various emotional experiences from its viewers.
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The Story
Artist Statement
My recent work reflects a very conscious effort to explore new approaches to style, concepts, techniques, and personal expression. After 40 odd years of experience, I continue to pursue the freedom to explore new visual opportunities without the attendant of fear of losing my identity as a painter with a "comfortable" visual vocabulary. I now find myself exploring a much broader spectrum of creative possibilities that inspire the paintings I have submitted.
I paint on the floor which has given me a keen sensitivity to the canvas. I initially apply rapid and spontaneous brush strokes of thick translucent paint that reveals the texture of the brush and canvas itself. This brushworks keeps me in constant touch with the canvas. Working from all sides and sometimes within the canvas itself, the identity or personality of the painting begins to emerge. Superimposing spontaneous fluid paint over the brushwork along with the use of sticks dipped in fluid paint and transferred to the canvas in gestural movements, a certain choreography begins to reveal itself. This process continues over an undetermined period of time. It is only upon periodical placement of the canvas in an upright position that I fully understand the emerging composition.
Classical or operatic music is always playing during these painting experiences "35 in D" ,for example, is meant to expose the impact of music as an intentional point of departure for executing the final composition. Similarly "Firebird Red" is intended to give the viewer an opportunity to experience the interplay of color, light, and motion as a translation of the music that informs the painting.
As I approach the final stages of the paintings personality, I "edit" areas with the brush that then allows a clearer understanding of the work. If my paintings are at all successful, the issues and approach to process described in the statement will become self-evident to the viewer.