An Authentic Truth
(Art. Graffiti. Abstract.)
A Plein Aire Experience
Peyton Scott Russell
Opening Reception: June 29 from 6:30-8pm
Free and open to the public.
Artist Talk: July 25 from 6:30-7:30pm
Free and open to the public.
“An Authentic Truth” is a concept and an idea to make art in a technique i call Plein Aire Graffiti. i am using methods of traditional Plein Air painting (open-air painting) and combining it with traditions of Graffiti (markings on a surface) and Street Art expressions. In doing so, i’m disrupting both creative practices. Plein Air paintings are typically landscape paintings painted outdoors on canvas and easels with oils and/or acrylic paints. Graffiti/Street Art is usually done anonymously, without permission, during the cover of night with a focus on letters, names, and messages painted with spray paint.
In my practice, i am painting on an easel (JamWall™) and canvas during daylight hours in full public view, on highly populated street corners, open lots, boulevards, fields, etc., and painting traditional Graffiti Art motifs of stylized letterforms. It's a performance piece, where anyone may watch and witness the art being created. Once i’m finished, the art may stay in place for a few hours or overnight for public viewing and/or drying time. Canvases are reclaimed later and prepped for gallery exhibitions.
i’m not painting in the traditional technique of Plein Air because i’m not painting a landscape. i am painting in the aesthetics of Graffiti, but in full public view, on my own setup without trespassing and committing illegal acts. i’m disrupting both crafts and creating a new concept, style, and idea of art that expresses the action of painting, a performance, and public attention in a pop-up style event. People may witness graffiti painted right in front of them or see the result during an art show.
i am also introducing an abstract element to this work. As i exercise Graffiti Writing techniques on canvas, i also erase parts of it by a process called The Buff. The erasure of graffiti is usually done by city officials, property owners, and/or vigilantes covering unwanted graffiti markings. Once graffiti has been Buffed, it often resembles scars on a wall. The patchwork of off-tone paints that do not match the original wall color, reminds me of Abstract Expressionistic artists like Rothko, Newman, Hoffman, Motherwell, Still, and Frankthaler. This was my favorite art movement that i studied while attending the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (1987-1991).
Using an abstract painting element (The Buff) introduces another disruption that challenges the intent of Graffiti Writing and the process of landscape Plein Air while simultaneously pushing graffiti to be seen as fine art and Plein Air techniques to be used as Street Art.
All of these things are what i love about the expressive intent of art. i’m crashing them together in a practice i call, Plein Aire Graffiti.
Peyton Scott Russell
https://houseofdaskarone.com
ABOUT THE ARTIST:
Minneapolis-based artist, Peyton Scott Russell, has a B.F.A. from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and for over three decades has been a professional artist and arts instructor. The 1984 film, Style Wars, introduced Peyton to graffiti art and had a profound effect on him. From that point forward, he has devoted his time and energy to graffiti art. Currently, through assistance from a Bush Foundation Fellowship (2012-2014), Peyton is focused on his organization, SPRAYFiNGER®, which is dedicated to teaching, studying, and practicing Graffiti Education & The Art of Creative Lettering™. His mission, in addition to his personal artistic practice, is to increase awareness of graffiti as a teachable fine art by collaborating with schools, teachers, and artists on curriculum design, outlines, and lesson plans designed to deepen the understanding of graffiti. Through his personal artwork and SPRAYFiNGER®, Peyton has engaged with individuals of all ages throughout Minnesota; North and South Dakota; Wisconsin; Kentucky; Kansas; New York; Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; and Tel Aviv, Israel.