These geometric constructs represent individuals I’ve met. People and animals have an energy to them, a vibe, a presence. There is a feeling of wavelength involved and these indelible energies reflect what we are inside; contradictions, hopes, addictions, ego, love, self awareness, doubt – all part of our complex composition. This work looks to visually interpret the presence of the subjects. A sort of portrait or study drawn from the immaterial and intangible yet somehow recognizable, or at least equatable, of who they are.
Resting Bitch Face
Ink block on archival paper
24″ x 36″
2015
Pigeon Pop (1/25)
Block ink on paper
9″ x 12″
2015
Some new ink block on paper works of mine will be shown during this month’s First Thursday at Caramelo Clothing Company. The work is a departure from paint on canvas and somewhat of a reaction to our trip to Spain and France this fall. Influenced by street art (Europe is packed with great work), contemporary art, and printmaking this is my first in these series. For the portrait series, I approached the print blocks not as the method of predominately creating the image but instead serving as a building components of the image. Thematically it’s a reflection on how we eat, what constitutes food and at what expense. Although the “vocabulary” of the printing blocks will expand, I started by using my styled initials that serve as a signatures for my canvases and other works. In the second block printing approach, I’m using repetition to make spot paintings reminiscent of Thomas Downing and Andy Warhol. I’m fascinated by color blocking and association told in primitive form. I also admire repetition as way of allowing the viewer to observe color, and not the subject, to convey distinction.
If you’re in JP tomorrow, or at all during November, please stop by this beautiful store and take a look. Price sheet will be up front. The holidays are coming. Just say’n. – SM
Over the summer I made a small batch of few-of-a-kind t-shirts. Provincetown has no shortage of marine and old-timey themes in stores, tourist shops, and art galleries like whales, ships, lobsters, seagulls… all that shit. I kind of smooshed that idea together with the real flavor of town that’s not hanging out in the ocean – the bears, drags, dykes, circuit queens, and bearded scenesters. Limited edition run, all hand painted, and kinda sloppy. You can find them at Trevor in Provincetown and Caramelo in Jamaica Plain. Hit them (or me) up if you want one.
These works are about impressions, as opposed to locations, of Provincetown. A sort of semi-abstraction french kissing illustration. The recognizable elements of any realism has been cast off to color, line, and shape. Loose subjective forms suggest a hurried pace, long waits, and chance encounters. The use of mixed media (acrylic, oil, charcoal, oil stick, pencil on canvas) serves as a crucial representational element to convey the complex diversity of the town by being both harmonious and discordant. There are many imperfections – just like those that constitute the soul of any village at the end of the road.
Having a gallery show is new territory. I have no expectations and look forward to criticism and feedback from the art savvy and casual observers of Provincetown. Grateful for the opportunity to be represented at William Scott Gallery and looking forward to what’s next already.
The show is up until August 5th. Come to the opening if you’re around Provincetown on the 24th. Stay for the free wine.
Sean Christopher McCabe – West End (A)
I’ve been thinking a lot about what excites me as a painter. Lately, I’ve sort of fused two obsessions of mine; representational and hard edge. This thought became the series Self Portraits originally but I wanted to try it with landscapes. I sketch in pencil and vine charcoal and I noticed an almost primitive paint-by-numbers thing happening so I kept it.
This is my first season at William Scott Gallery in Provincetown. I’m incredibly honored to be part of a group or artists and gallerists that are well known as purveyors of strong work. Opening salon is May 22nd from 7-9PM and some of these works will be on display. I have a show coming up there on July 24th. That’s not so far away…. I better get painting…
West End 04 (b)
Acrylic on canvas
36″ x 36″
2014
SOLD
If you scroll down you’ll see I did a study for this piece a while back. I wanted to do it larger. So, I did.
My new series, Self Portraits, is my reaction to hard edge and post painterly abstraction and appropriation. In the year it took to do the series, it morphed from an exercise in studying master artists’ techniques and motifs into realizing that I was purposefully aping these iconic works in hopes that I could somehow impress myself upon them – or into them. The hard-edged anonymity of the subjects serve as an apt representation of this forced impression. Clearly unrecognizable, seriously out-of-place, lacking in detail or depth in arguably the most important parts of the original works, these crude approximations serve as clear and current representation of an emerging artist’s portrait versus a master’s.
Showing: February 23rd – March 22nd
James’s Gate
5-11 McBride St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
(617) 983-2000
West End Lot – 16
Acrylic on canvas
36″ x 36″
2014
Update:
This work was selected to be part of The Provincetown Art Association and Museum’s (PAAM) Members’ Juried: PAAM100 show. I’m honored to be part of a special show with many brilliant artists. Visit the museum Dec. 5 – Jan 18th to view all works. I’m also happy to say it sold. Thank you, buyer.
I tend to like to work on two or more series at the same time. It’s a product of many ideas I want to flesh out or touch upon as well as not wanting to get stale on a subject matter or theme. Since I haven’t posted any of my ongoing Anonymous/Self Portait series it would appear all I’m doing is Provincetown lots. Not so. Like other lot locations this piece features a featureless setting but the truck represents the authentic P’town to me. Yes, there are not shortage of Range Rovers and Mercedes in driveways but this truck says a lot about who might own it. It’s as hardened as a “local” with its rugged charm, unapologetic display, and a few dings here and there… much like the many that work any service in a coastal town with many part time, and at times demanding, residents and tourists. This one goes to those that work tirelessly day in and day out and, despite some extra millage, are still going strong even after the season is over.