Altamira Fine Art in Scottsdale, AZ is pleased to present an exhibition of new work by Michael Blessing December 10-21, 2024.
Please join us for a Reception during the Holiday ArtWalk Thursday, December 12th from 7-9pm.
“I always start with faces. The human face is the most complicated part of each painting. To my surprise, the faces in these paintings emerged like puzzles, with the pieces fitting together spontaneously as I worked. The interplay of shapes is compelling, and the result is powerful. We have so many facets to who we are and what we experience, and these things shape us in ways we are not always aware of. I think this body of work literally reflects that reality, even though it’s not something I set out to express visually.” - Michael Blessing
Neon West
As an artist, Michael Blessing enjoys exploring innovative ideas and incorporating unconventional techniques, methods, and mediums in his work. For his latest exhibition, stories of the old west, told through films made in the last century, have captivated his interest since childhood. “Watching archetypal characters playing out the drama of life on the big screen was great fun. I believe these legends endure to help us process what is going on in the world at any given time. The hero and the villain are alive and well today and we get to experience the story. Just like in the movies, there are twists and turns in the plot. Things are not always as they seem, and usually not as we expect them to be. This new body of work seeks to visually articulate themes I see unfolding in real time today, presented in a format that I feel is understandable and engaging: the Neon West”, Blessing says.
These thematic threads of redemption, freedom, and light overtaking darkness compel Blessing’s selection of subject matter and design, presenting the viewer with a modern visual version of an age-old story. As a rule, he is drawn to strong compositions, vibrant color, and bold lines. “I’ve always been drawn to color, and I go through an intuitive process when exploring palettes and creating a color map for each composition. Chroma has frequency, and when I land on a color map that allows all the frequencies to work together, I know the painting will resonate. I can feel the character resonating with the neon striping and see how the background sets a mood, allowing each composition to pulsate with a life of its own.” His dynamic works command attention, possessing a vivid, edgy quality that is both contemporary and timeless.
Blessing’s work has been featured in Art of the West, Western Art & Architecture, Big Sky Journal, Southwest Art and Western Art Collector. His paintings have won Awards of Excellence from both Western Art Collector and Southwest Art Magazines, the FASO Boldbrush Award, and several International Gallery Awards.
Presales are available. Contact the gallery for details, 480-949-1256/ az@altamiraart.com.
