THE
DISCERNER
Discerning The World of Arts
“Mantled by Water” by Georganna Lenssen
Abstract | Cubism | Expressionism | Figurative | Fine Art | Modern
November 2018
Editor’s Letter
Dear Readers, I am thrilled to be working exclusively with the extraordinary artist Georganna Lensen this month. As you will see by browsing our November issue, we have put together a gorgeous selection presenting various aspects of her works going from landscapes to still lifes. I am truly impressed by her choices of shapes and colours which turn each artwork into a master piece! Georganna Lenssen’s works are remarkable as she has the ability to draw her inspiration from the nature world and transform it in such a manner that it cannot be bound by the representational. Remember that all the artworks presented in our November issue are available for sale. If you are interested in any, you can simply access our online art store thanks to the small trolleys that support each work or contact Georganna or myself directly at: celine@thediscerner.com
I prefer letting you enjoy her works instead of talking too much about it!
Kindest regards Celine Gaurier-Joubert
Contact & advertising enquiries: E: celine@thediscerner.com W: www.thediscerner.com T: 0044 20 7491 9925
Every effort has been made to ensure the content is accurate. The Discerner Ltd does not endorse any of the advertisements in the magazine unless otherwise stated. No part of the magazine may be reproduced without permission of The Discerner Ltd. We reserve the right to refuse advertisement or editorial not suitable to the publication.
Contents
Wired Still Life With Stripes Along The Water Tower Mantled by Water Rhythm of the Waves 1 Rhythm of the Waves 2 Rasberry and Vanilla Still Life with Cupcake Vase with Mandarins Tablescape Bridged Have de Grace
Georganna Lenssen Georganna Lenssen’s paintings are evocative and mysterious in nature—they merge instinct, memory and sensation, creating a visual language of mark-making, color interaction and ultimately a landscape of painted surface. Gallery representation includes South Street Art Gallery in Easton MD, J.Cacciola gallery in Bernardsville NJ, and Red Raven Art Company in Lancaster PA. She exhibits regularly and also competes in plein air events including the prestigious Plein Air Easton and Paint Annapolis. She will be competing in Cape Ann Plein Air in October. Originally from Seoul, Korea, Georganna studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and Villanova University.
The work of contemporary artist Georganna Lenssen draws inspiration from the natural world, then steps into a realm so unique and individual it cannot be bound by the representational. While constantly referencing nature, she creates images which are ambiguous, sensual and evocative. My work presents the culmination of response, absorption and interpretation of place or content. From exquisitely patterned African wild dogs to densely sensual, frosted cakes to the evocative nature of abandoned structures and the secrets they house within – a thread of commonality exists - the multi-faceted richness of imagery. Opacities, transparencies and iridescences offer a myriad of painterly opportunities. Here is where instinct, memory and sensation merge for me, creating a visual language of mark making, color interaction and finally the landscape of the painted surface. My process is phenomenological - with no planned goal in mind, I relinquish power to my materials, intuition and emerging imagery. I continually push my boundaries to seek out the unfamiliar. I may work on a painting for weeks, only to turn it 180 degrees to finish it. Painting is an interactive process for me - a sort of dialogue between myself and the work . The abstract qualities of my paintings are always anchored by references to the representational, however if my subject becomes too articulated, I will deconstruct it. I will create chaos so that I can reconstruct a different kind of organization. Scraping down entire paintings or working over previous pieces increases the depth and complexity of the image and its narrative.
Painting is my life and my passion - it is through paint that I process my world.
www.georgannalenssen.com
IG georganna_lenssen
“Wired� 2018 Oil on board 30.48cm x 22.86 cm
Pale lavender washes flow into soft fields of green setting the stage for powerful linear marks.
“Still Life with Stripes� 2018 Oil on canvas 35.56cm x 27.94cm
Wonderfully bright colors and simple shapes define a festive series of objects solidly sitting in a field of stripes.
“Along the Water Tower� 2018 Oil on board 20.32cm x 20.32cm
A few strokes of teal mark a simple structure which provides a foil against an exhilarating celebration of color, texture and paint itself.
“Mantled by Water� 2018 Oil on board 20.32cm x 20.32cm
Rich blues and deep indigo create a tapestry of pattern and texture suggesting just a hint of land engulfed by a sense of sea.
“Rhythm of the Waves 1 � 2018 Oil on board 30.48cm x 30.48cm
Thickly applied gestural marks contrast with subtle variations in color and shifts in temperature to suggest the drama of water and earth. This rocky shoreline contrasts, yet complements its craggy companion to create a sense of the natural wonder of Cape Ann Massachusetts.
“Rhythm of the Waves 2 � 2018 Oil on board 30.48cm x 30.48cm
Thickly applied gestural marks contrast with subtle variations in color and shifts in temperature to suggest the drama of water and earth. This rocky shoreline contrasts, yet complements its craggy companion to create a sense of the natural wonder of Cape Ann Massachusetts.
“Rasberry and Vanilla� 2018 Oil on board 15.24cm x 15.24cm
I frequently paint desserts as they offer so many opportunities for me to explore colors, textures and shapes. Raspberry and Vanilla is the first painting of Ice cream for me. The challenge of translating the morphing form as it melts was both fresh and fun. There will be many more ice cream paintings to come!
“Still Life with Cupcake ” 2018 Oil on canvas 76.2cm x 76.2cm
I found this vase in the corner of a storage area where I teach. It seemed to carry a story all its own. I discovered this story through painting it. And I have painted it many times. I considered titling this piece “Liberace’s Vase.” The vase is one that seemed to be made for and opened by one person, one personality, who provided an exuberant and thrilling over-the-top performance. This object spoke to me in a similar way, and when approaching this work, I enjoyed discovering this personality and painting it expressively, as only Liberace would.
“Vase with Mandarins� 2018 Oil on canvas 91.44cm x 91.44cm
I enjoy placing an object in the middle of a canvas and building an asymmetrical composition around it. This painting focuses upon an imposing antique vase described with thick impasto. My interest is to create a conversation between objects, contrasting size, shape, color and direction. Edges dissolve and emerge out of the background. The result is a dynamic and sensual experience.
“Tablescape� 2018 Oil on board 40.64cm x 40.64cm
Dynamic wedges of luscious paint create a mouth-watering still life that is anything but still.
“Bridged� 2018 Oil on board 30.48cm x 60.96cm
The power of this piece comes from a collection of seemingly scattered marks carved-out from painterly smears, and yet these chiseled highlights remain controlled and define the subject.
“Havre de Grace� 2018 Oil on board 30.48cm x 60.96cm
Verging towards pure abstraction, this painting is defined by a bold and assertive application of rich color and thick paint, with just the fewest marks suggesting the subject.