Blake Flynn
I work within the basic framework of realism, with recognizable subject matter and the fundamental goal of making a two-dimensional surface look three-dimensional in a convincing way. But at the same time I transcend the limitations of realism, letting my imagination run rampant. I bend physical laws. I distort shapes and sizes. I combine disparate elements. I create improbable juxtapositions. This gives me greater capacity to articulate a particular idea and to create the desired visual and emotional atmosphere.
My work appears surrealistic however it is neither dream-based nor lacking in conscious control. And although I concede the germ of the idea for a given painting might have a subconscious component, I'm actually quite analytical in the development and execution of the piece (no doubt symptomatic of my previous career as an engineer). This reliance on my rational mind combined with the narrative quality of the work suggests the term "Magic Realism" would be a more accurate classification.
Like most artists I paint what interests me, which can lead to a broad array of subjects. As a result my works portray humans and other animals, myths and religions, social and cultural boundaries, even the occasional autobiographical allusion. The tone may range from serious to quirky, but I always try to engage the subjects from an atypical perspective that finds both beauty and absurdity in our struggle to find our place - as individuals, as a society, as a species – in both the natural world and the "civilized" world we have created.
Technique
All my original paintings are done with oil, which I prefer for its depth, richness, and workability. I paint on rigid panels with treated surfaces. I start by developing a detailed sketch, often in conjunction with small-scale value and color studies. After transferring the drawing to the panel, I apply the paint in thin layers with soft brushes, much like watercolor. I usually start with a monochromatic underpainting and then add color with a series of translucent glazes. My attention to detail stems from my belief in its importance to quality design and reflects my deep respect for craftsmanship.
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
Georgia Amar Fine Art (Habitat), "Life and Death," Denver, CO, Nov 2011-Dec 2011
Habitat Gallery, "Life in Oz," Denver, CO, Nov 2009-Jan 2010
Habitat Gallery, "Strange Beauty," Denver, CO, Nov 2008-Mar 2009
Habitat Gallery, "Mysterium," Denver, CO, Oct-Dec 2007
Habitat Gallery, "New Paintings: Surrealism for Today's World," Denver, CO, Sep-Dec 2006
Habitat Gallery, "Perspectives," Denver, CO, Apr-July 2005
Classical Grands & Galleries, Seattle, WA, Jun-Jul 2003
Samis Foundation Gallery, Seattle, WA, Dec 2002 – Jan 2003
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
Childhood's End Gallery, Olympia, WA, Nov-Dec 2011
Art Port Townsend Juried Exhibition, Port Townsend, WA, Aug 2011
The Haggin Museum, 56th Juried Exhibition, Stockton, CA, Sep-Oct 2010
Wichita Center for the Arts, National Small Oil Painting Exhibition, KS, Sep-Oct 2010
Childhood's End Gallery, Olympia, WA, Aug-Sep 2010
Rob Schouten Gallery, Greenbank, WA, Dec-Jan 2009
Limner Gallery, "Strange Figurations," Hudson, NY, Oct 2009
Art Port Townsend Juried Exhibition, Port Townsend, WA, Oct 2009
Parklane Gallery, "Fur, Feathers & Fins," National Juried Art Show, Kirkland, WA, Oct 2009
Childhood's End Gallery, Olympia, WA, Aug-Sep 2009
Arts Council of Snohomish Co., 17th Juried Exhibition, Everett, WA, Jul-Aug 2009
Josefa Kate Gallery, Portland, OR, Aug 2008-Dec 2008
Arts Council of Snohomish Co., "Song of the Siren," Everett, WA, Sept-Oct 2008
Coos Art Museum, "Expressions West 2008," Coos Bay, OR, Apr-Jul 2008
Adell McMillan Gallery, Pacific Northwest Art Annual, Univ. of Oregon, Apr-May 2008
Childhood's End Gallery, "Stories, Myths & Legends," Olympia, WA, Apr-May 2008
Habitat Gallery, "Gallery Collection," Denver, CO, Apr-May 2008
Amsterdam Whitney Gallery, "Kaleidoscopic Realms," New York, NY, August 2007
Fourth "Il De Nittis" Biennial, "Confronting Cultures," Trani, Italy, May-June 2007
Estense Castle, "Magic – The Magic Paths of Art," Ferrara, Italy, Nov 2006
Childhood's End Gallery, Olympia, WA, Oct-Nov 2006
Port Angeles Fine Art Center, "Disaster," Port Angeles, WA, May-July 2006
Childhood's End Gallery, Olympia, WA, Nov 2005-Jan 2006
Neo Gallery, Denver International Airport, Denver, CO, June-Sept 2005
Childhood's End Gallery, Olympia, WA, Nov 2004-Jan 2005
Art Port Townsend Juried Art Show, Port Townsend, WA, Oct 2004
Arts Council of Snohomish Co., "The Art of Science," Everett, WA, May-June 2004
Associated Arts of Ocean Shores Juried Fine Art Show, April 2004
Childhood's End Gallery, Olympia, WA, Oct 2003-Dec 2003
Classical Grands & Galleries, Seattle, WA, Jun-Jul 2003
Addi Gallery, Lahaina, HI, June 2002 – March 2003
Art Port Townsend Juried Art Show, Port Townsend, WA, Oct 2002
Studio Tour, City of Olympia Arts Program, June 2002
My work appears surrealistic however it is neither dream-based nor lacking in conscious control. And although I concede the germ of the idea for a given painting might have a subconscious component, I'm actually quite analytical in the development and execution of the piece (no doubt symptomatic of my previous career as an engineer). This reliance on my rational mind combined with the narrative quality of the work suggests the term "Magic Realism" would be a more accurate classification.
Like most artists I paint what interests me, which can lead to a broad array of subjects. As a result my works portray humans and other animals, myths and religions, social and cultural boundaries, even the occasional autobiographical allusion. The tone may range from serious to quirky, but I always try to engage the subjects from an atypical perspective that finds both beauty and absurdity in our struggle to find our place - as individuals, as a society, as a species – in both the natural world and the "civilized" world we have created.
Technique
All my original paintings are done with oil, which I prefer for its depth, richness, and workability. I paint on rigid panels with treated surfaces. I start by developing a detailed sketch, often in conjunction with small-scale value and color studies. After transferring the drawing to the panel, I apply the paint in thin layers with soft brushes, much like watercolor. I usually start with a monochromatic underpainting and then add color with a series of translucent glazes. My attention to detail stems from my belief in its importance to quality design and reflects my deep respect for craftsmanship.
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
Georgia Amar Fine Art (Habitat), "Life and Death," Denver, CO, Nov 2011-Dec 2011
Habitat Gallery, "Life in Oz," Denver, CO, Nov 2009-Jan 2010
Habitat Gallery, "Strange Beauty," Denver, CO, Nov 2008-Mar 2009
Habitat Gallery, "Mysterium," Denver, CO, Oct-Dec 2007
Habitat Gallery, "New Paintings: Surrealism for Today's World," Denver, CO, Sep-Dec 2006
Habitat Gallery, "Perspectives," Denver, CO, Apr-July 2005
Classical Grands & Galleries, Seattle, WA, Jun-Jul 2003
Samis Foundation Gallery, Seattle, WA, Dec 2002 – Jan 2003
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
Childhood's End Gallery, Olympia, WA, Nov-Dec 2011
Art Port Townsend Juried Exhibition, Port Townsend, WA, Aug 2011
The Haggin Museum, 56th Juried Exhibition, Stockton, CA, Sep-Oct 2010
Wichita Center for the Arts, National Small Oil Painting Exhibition, KS, Sep-Oct 2010
Childhood's End Gallery, Olympia, WA, Aug-Sep 2010
Rob Schouten Gallery, Greenbank, WA, Dec-Jan 2009
Limner Gallery, "Strange Figurations," Hudson, NY, Oct 2009
Art Port Townsend Juried Exhibition, Port Townsend, WA, Oct 2009
Parklane Gallery, "Fur, Feathers & Fins," National Juried Art Show, Kirkland, WA, Oct 2009
Childhood's End Gallery, Olympia, WA, Aug-Sep 2009
Arts Council of Snohomish Co., 17th Juried Exhibition, Everett, WA, Jul-Aug 2009
Josefa Kate Gallery, Portland, OR, Aug 2008-Dec 2008
Arts Council of Snohomish Co., "Song of the Siren," Everett, WA, Sept-Oct 2008
Coos Art Museum, "Expressions West 2008," Coos Bay, OR, Apr-Jul 2008
Adell McMillan Gallery, Pacific Northwest Art Annual, Univ. of Oregon, Apr-May 2008
Childhood's End Gallery, "Stories, Myths & Legends," Olympia, WA, Apr-May 2008
Habitat Gallery, "Gallery Collection," Denver, CO, Apr-May 2008
Amsterdam Whitney Gallery, "Kaleidoscopic Realms," New York, NY, August 2007
Fourth "Il De Nittis" Biennial, "Confronting Cultures," Trani, Italy, May-June 2007
Estense Castle, "Magic – The Magic Paths of Art," Ferrara, Italy, Nov 2006
Childhood's End Gallery, Olympia, WA, Oct-Nov 2006
Port Angeles Fine Art Center, "Disaster," Port Angeles, WA, May-July 2006
Childhood's End Gallery, Olympia, WA, Nov 2005-Jan 2006
Neo Gallery, Denver International Airport, Denver, CO, June-Sept 2005
Childhood's End Gallery, Olympia, WA, Nov 2004-Jan 2005
Art Port Townsend Juried Art Show, Port Townsend, WA, Oct 2004
Arts Council of Snohomish Co., "The Art of Science," Everett, WA, May-June 2004
Associated Arts of Ocean Shores Juried Fine Art Show, April 2004
Childhood's End Gallery, Olympia, WA, Oct 2003-Dec 2003
Classical Grands & Galleries, Seattle, WA, Jun-Jul 2003
Addi Gallery, Lahaina, HI, June 2002 – March 2003
Art Port Townsend Juried Art Show, Port Townsend, WA, Oct 2002
Studio Tour, City of Olympia Arts Program, June 2002
