American Anthology.

I've been working on a series this year. For lack of a better title I've been calling it the abstract series. It really began as an experiment based on a desire to make something totally new. Now I'm 5 pieces in with many new ideas in the works.

It was my newest idea that gave me the idea for their titles. "American Anthology".

I'm looking forward to finding out where I end up with this series. In the meantime I'm having fun playing with ideas of similarity, spontaneity and working with materials I have at my immediate disposal.










"American Anthology No. 3" 2013, acrylic and enamel on paper, 17" x 29 1/4".

For Trayvon Martin.

It's been almost a year since Trayvon Martin lost his life. For me it was a tragic symbol of or societies downward spiral into a devastating and frightening future. Our culture breeds selfishness, fear, paranoia and hate into all of us. We're human beings, we have the power to control our actions. We have to get over our own selfish, personal gain and petty beliefs and start to live like we are part of a larger unit. 

It's important for all of us to feel safe in our homes and neighborhoods. Maybe we should all start asking questions and talking to each other instead of just shooting first. 

"The Sleeper Must Awaken"

In 2012 I started a series of portraits of friends and family as they look first thing in the morning. The idea was to portray them as they are before they present themselves to the world. Tired eyes, messy hair, no make-up, puffy, etc. I see this as one of the most personal and vulnerable moments we all face every day. It is also a moment we try desperately to hide. If you would like to see some of these pieces please visit my on-line portfolio, they're all there.
http://olinroth.carbonmade.com/

When I began this portrait project another life was created in the process. In a vicious and frustrated attempt to find a place to clean a terrible color from my brush late one night, I took my anger out on a near by blank canvas. In that moment the painting you see here was born. Very early into the portrait series I decided to keep up work on this abstraction until the time the series was finished. I have never worked on a painting longer then I have on this abstraction (about one full year).

This painting is the culmination of many different moments and thoughts. It is one year of focus, frustration and and left-over paint. Consequently I don't think I'll ever be able to give it a proper title. I'm having trouble organizing my thoughts and feelings about this painting. I know I love it and am very happy with it.