The gryllus, or aenigma, was the operative principle of monstrous construction: monsters were formed by conjoining nameable parts taken from nameable creatures. Thus, a centaur is a man and a horse, a borometz is a tree and a lamb, and a heraldic wyvern is a two-legged dragon, derived from four-legged dragons, which are in turn derived from lizards, snakes, and bats. Grylli are always formed by combining parts.
James Elkins, "Pictures of the Body: Pain and Metamorphosis"
As an artist builds on an artwork they react to their own mark-making and start a conversation between themselves and their work. Because we exclusively produce collaborative works, the conversation becomes more complex, involving constant verbal dialogue and the reciprocal exploitation of each others markings, image, and ideas. Our ongoing dialogue allows us to continually challenge each other to defend or adapt our ideas.
Our body of work is an exploration of paint. We use a formal approach to painting to ascertain specific effects of depiction with paint. Our visual subject matter is all controlled in the environment of the studio, with the insular creation of the art amplifying the theatricality. Elements of performance are present when creating the images for our work by setting up loose rules of material contrast and figure juxtaposition.
The narrative of the finished work is directed from the beginning but revisited when the painting is finished to analyze the sentiment arising from the combined intentions of figure, form and paint. While our subject matter is intentional and important to us, the paintings are just as much about exploiting the formal medium of oil painting.
Thank you for viewing our work.
Commissions are welcomed.
Inquiries can be directed at 541-390-7817 or caninedevotion@gmail.com
Education
Cara Thayer
BFA - School of the Art Institute of Chicago - 2007
Louie Van Patten
AA - Des Moines Area Community College - 2006
Press
Cascade Arts & Entertainment Magazine - "Cara Thayer & Louie Van Patten, Collaborative Art," July, 2010
Bend Bulletin: GO! Magazine - "The Human Element," September 4th, 2009
Solo Exhibitions
2009 Tew Boots Gallery, Bend, OR
Group Exhibitions
2010 Expressions @ River Bend Fine Art Gallery, Bend, OR
2009 NYAXE Gallery, Palo Alto, CA
2009 "Stitch," South Seattle Community College Gallery, Seattle, WA
2008 Fiber Arts Show, Sixth Street Gallery, Vancouver, WA
2008 Gallery L'une, Manzanita, OR
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