Pathways through you

Walking on her flesh, through her meadows and hills, I cherish the Earth - the Mother. Her beauty increases every time I look. Her wells run deeper the more I get to know her. The paths. The paths. The paths.

'Pathways through You' - Acrylics on canvas - 55x46 cm

A Matter of Spirit

'The Matter of Spirit' - Acrylics on canvas - 60x73 cm

Leaving the path

Watching this piece I remembered hiking in the mountains of Norway. Last time I was there I was by myself, which is a stupid thing to do really, since just a few kilometers into a valley you often find yourself outside of all networks, meaning you can't call for help. Falling is one thing, since you typically die anyway, but if you get stuck between rocks or cut yourself on a sharp edge while stumbling and find yourself bleeding and unable to make the walk back you could die in vain. Dying due to stupidity is something I would like to avoid, yet experiencing the Norweigan national parks in silence and solitude almost makes up for the risk. 

What I clearly remember are the times when I left the marked paths for a closer encounter with a waterfall spotted from afar, or to look down a crazy drop, and how the 'never leave the path'-warnings from old fairytales echoed inside. In the Norweigan mountains those words really make sense. The ground feels uncertain beneath your feet and you never know what's covered by or hidden by the moss and undergrowth. A badly chosen step can be fatal, and yet the seductive beauty drives you onward, further and further away from the path. 

'Leaving the Path' - Acrylics on canvas - 55x38 cm

A shore of stories and encounters

'In a Notebook on the Shore' - Acrylics on canvas - 65x81 cm

Where gold and glory no longer matters

There is a kind of treasure - an enrichening of experience - which turns everyday stuff and moments into pure wonder. While painting, I sometimes come across little sparks of this treasure, and it makes the paintings come alive - it makes me come alive. At such moments I'm no longer a painter, but a wizard, or a receiver of true treasure. As far as I know, this sort of gold cannot be sold or given away. We all have to find it for ourselves. The painting below did it for me. I wonder if it may do the same for you? Did any of the magic stick to the canvas? Can colors carry it?

'Beyond Gold and Glory' - Acrylics on canvas - 50x61 cm

A Secret Valley

Most titles show up while I'm painting the piece. Some while I'm done. Others I have to consider for a while. They're not very important and reflect my own interpretation rather than the painting itself. I wasn't sure about this one. Should it be 'The Secret Valley' or 'The Sacred Valley' or perhaps 'Twin Kindgom Valley' as a text based adventure game for Commodore 64 was called?

I see a valley, and there is something mysterious about it. I like mysterious.

'The Secret Valley' - Acrylics on canvas - 61x50 cm

A dancing world

In the Orient, and perhaps in Japan especially, many regular activities have developed into activities of great art, like serving tea, raking gravel, archery, writing characters, and trimming trees. The focus and presence required to perform these arts successfully can lead to inner development and to spiritual progress - they can become meditation.

Abstract Expressionism, on the contrary, is a Western discipline, completely lacking the strict forms and precise manners of the Eastern arts. As such, it can potentially lead to the same results but takes the practitioner on a path much closer to magic, and much closer to madness. Unbound and unruly, it may lead the mind astray…
...especially if combined with potato chips and diet coke on a regular basis.

Now, you don't need to enter very deeply into madness to realize that the whole world is dancing. … or do you? In that case, let's rephrase it into something like; everything is energy, and as such it is not still for a moment.

'The Music and Dance of Everything' - Acrylics on canvas - 65x50 cm

Opening a dream

When I was in my early twenties and was awakening to my artistical self I sometimes saw strange inner images before me which I believe represented what I wanted to accomplish as an artist. They were a waking dream of sorts and even while the imagery wasn't very clear I found them very attractive in a mysterious sort of way. I wanted to see them. I yearned to create them. The following painting is probably the first piece I've made that has some of the quality of those dream paintings of the past. Watching this painting brings back those memories. I believe I may be getting closer to the essense of my work.

'Opening a Dream' - Acrylics on canvas - 50x65 cm

Rivers of lava and rivers of life

From the great mountains comes rivers of water, which makes life possible in the lands below, but fire too, comes from the mountains, bringing death and renewal if we take a positive approach. Water too can kill, flooding populated areas and producing land-slides. I find it interesting and a bit humbling to consider these double-edged gifts of the powerful and mysterious heights. This piece is called 'Fire and Water From the Heights'

'Fire and Water from the Heights' - Acrylics on canvas - 54x65 cm'

A very nice feeling

In the beginning of February something happened when I was working in my studio. I sensed an inner shift of sorts which I believe changed my approach to painting. As an artist I would say that I am now more fearless, not as easily charmed, and my darlings now drop dead in deep mass graves of paint. ; )

I guess I have come to a point where painting is so every day that I no longer need to protect the results of my work, and that freedom (to destroy) enables me to take my creations further. That's what it feels like anyway. It somehow makes the work of painting richer and more enjoyable. I feel as if I'm able to work myself deeper into the canvas, making it give up another level of its secrets.

This is the first piece made since whatever happened. I call it Awakened Lands.

'Awakened Lands' - Acrylics on canvas - 81x65 cm - Niklas J Brandow

Sacrificing paint

Hi,

No, I'm not giving up painting, as the title of this blogpost might suggest. Rather, I'm spending more time with it again. Having made a lot of digital illustration lately I'm pleased to be pushing physical paint about again.

So, this is the first of a few new paintings which I'm sincerely happy about. There is something in this one that I've been waiting for. I can't put it into words, but it has to do with how the gaze is moved around by the forms and colours; How I can't find real rest in there, and yet is captured enough to keep looking. In short; I find this painting interesting to behold. It challenges me, while keeping me sufficiently entertained. There is a balance in the mess which stimulating to watch. Don't ask me why.

'Sacrificing Paint' - Acrylics on Canvas - 65 x 54 cm - Niklas J Brandow

The Grand Adventure

The idea of having a picture before me (or in my head) and forcing the painting to look like it has never really been my cup of tea. Though that struggle may be very rewarding in many ways, I have always preferred the adventure of not knowing where the journey ends, at all. When I paint, I'd like the paintings to surprise me, and they often do – occasionally even in a positive way.

The most adventurous thing I know is to walk a forest path without knowing where it ends. Those who did that in a time when we knew less about the world must have found it fantastic. The possible imaginary outcome of following a trail today is somewhat limited compared to what it was like in the middle ages, or even earlier. Just the notion of being in the woods, not knowing for sure, which kinds of beasts (or trolls?) lives there, is thrilling. I'm typically very satisfied with beholding the variation of plants wherever my steps take me, but the element of surprise is certainly a nice bonus.

Generally though, I think adventure is a state of mind, much more than exotic events and locations. It is an openness, I feel – an excitement of experience which comes when one is able to not take things for granted, and dare let go of control. Adventure is about being present and not constantly anticipating the next moment. When there is no plan, all moments look fresh. Well, something like that, anyway.

This one may be a little saturated on information, but I enjoy it anyway. It is 'The Grand Aventure'.


'The Grand Adventure' - Acrylics on Canvas - 100 x 81 cm - Niklas J Brandow (Sold)

Clicking the image for a closer encounter is highly recommended.

I spy, with my little eye...

I never really decided to do abstract art. It was just something that happened as I opened up the doors and welcomed what I found there. For that reason, I don't mind when people see things in my work, and it is no problem when obvious figures appear, among the otherwise nameless forms. I try to be as honest and simple as I possibly can, and if that means saturated pinks and kittens, then so be it.

This piece has one such element, which several viewers have spotted. I'm not sure if it is coincidental, or in line with my sub- or unconscious will of expression. Can you also see it in there? ...and if you can, do you find it disturbing or helpful?

I call this piece 'Sounded his Trumpet'.



'Sounded his Trumpet' - Acrlics on Canvas - 54 x 65 cm - Niklas J Brandow (Sold)

The Heart of Art

As I had finished this painting, knowing it was done, I was sort of unimpressed by it. A few days later my mind had changed and I started to enjoy it quite a lot. I'm not sure how well it comes through here, but there is a sober calm over this piece, which attracts me. Like most of my work it contains a lot of visual information, but it is comparatively still. Also, the dominating blue colors make for a certain peacefulness. I personally had to look at it for a few days before it spoke to me. What kind of time can you spare? ; )
 

'Protectors of the Heart' - Acrylics on Canvas - 81 x 100 cm - Niklas J Brandow

 Click to enlarge.

Turning colors into gold

Elements come together to make worlds. Isn't that strange? The conditions for life on this planet are perfect, because it was the conditions themselves that summoned life from the soil and waters.

Colors, in the hands of man, turn into art, and art then turns into? Conflict? Self-knowledge? Another level of consciousness? Its uses are many, of course. Provoke a new order into being, or question yourself into nihilism? Entertain us into stupidity, or enthrall us with the wizardry of beauty?

Whom or what do you make these colors serve? Are you perhaps serving them? As simple organisms evolve into more complex ones through mutation, do colors and art transform too? Is art perhaps a mere, inevitable out-breath? Must it be more than that?

Many questions today obviously. Those of you who have read a bit about alchemy, know that the physical work and ambitions of the laboratory, also had a parallel spiritual counterpart. Seeking the the quintessense (also known as the fifth element, or the philosopher's stone), was not just the material matter of turning things into gold, but also a deeper mental or spiritual mystery. The single-minded laborious work and concentration on the enigma of all things, could bring about results apart from the chemical ones, and these seemed to be equally valued by the alchemists.

So too, I find the work on the canvas to be but a reflection of what goes on in the studio. Artistry is not mainly about making paintings (or songs etc), and even if that is what we initially set out to do, the potentials of staring at artwork in progress are far more interesting.

This one is called 'New Era Alchemy'.


'New Era Alchemy' - Acrylics on Canvas - 60 x 40 cm - Niklas J Brandow (Sold)

 Cheers!

The Destiny of Color

Occasionally, as I give myself over to the brush and the canvas, something remarkable happens. From stroke one it feels as if the brush (Sorry God, no credit this time) knows what is about to happen. It feels as if it has a plan that I'm completely unaware of. I just allow it to move about, and do my best to keep up with where it is going. Be it some unconscious idea of mine, or other more mysterious powers involved.... I have no clue. What I can tell you for sure, is that I feel disconnected to what takes place before my eyes.

It is not like some spirit is forcing my hand about, but as I allow it to move freely, it surprises me at every turn. From stroke one, it seems to set its plan in motion. Yes, I realise this may sound big-time crazy, but I don't really mind. I'm just very fascinated by it, and it is also a way of introducing this next painting, which painted itself, all the way to the last stroke. It is simpler and not as dense as much of my other work. Perhaps even a bit sketchy. Still, I'm sure it is finished.

Sadly, I didn't here no voice telling me what to name the piece, so I had to settle with 'Where Sunlight Gathers'. I hope it will suffice.


'Where Sunlight Gathers' - Acrylics on Canvas' - 100 x 81 cm - Niklas J Brandow

I have heard the Surrealists experimented with automatic writing and so forth, and I'm sure most experienced artist have had some hightly intuitive or automatic moments, in their crafts. One can guess that, when the conscious awareness and thinking processes take a break, the subconscious and/or fully unconscious mind takes over (fully or partly). We're all great artists while we dream at night.

If this piece is better than my other paintings, is up to the beholder. For me, it is one of the more mysterious pictures "I" have made. I hope you enjoy it. As always, click to enlarge.

The Inner Fun Palace

When we hear the word fun, I suppose we tend to think primarily about things like parties, roller-coasters, and silly faces. There are however a lot of other things and activities around, which may be regarded as great fun. Though painting rarely bring about hysterical laughter, it can be seriously enjoyable and truly fun work. It can also cause pleasant bodily sensations of well-being and happiness.

Of course, painting can also be very frustrating and stressful at times. It all depends on how one approaches the work at hand, and what kind of hopes and ambitions we bring into it. When it comes to my personal results - the finished paintings - I rarely find them amusing to behold. They might be entertaining, or in other ways stimulating to look at, but I don't intentionally work with humor.

Some pieces however, like the one below, hold a somewhat lighter air, and seem more playful than others - at least to my eyes. Perhaps they even make me a little happy to watch? If you labelled them childish I wouldn't disagree... at least not entirely.

So welcome now to my inner Fun Palace. Let's play for a while, shall we?


Inner Fun Palace - Acrylics on Canvas - 100 x 81 cm - Niklas J Brandow (Sold)

Druids at Rackstadmuseet?

Good news! Two of my paintings were selected to be shown at Höstalongen (Autumn Art Salon) at Rackstadmuseet in Arvika, beginning the 29th of September. Lots of other artists from Värmland will have their work on display, so I'm sure it will be worth a visit. More on that later, I suppose.

For now, I'm posting another new painting, which I call the Druid's Dream. Not that I see any druids in there, but the many greens and browns suggested this romantic sort of title. Something is happening again, and it might as well be some spirits of nature swirling around...as something else, don't you think?



Druid's Dream - Acrylics on Canvas - 46 x 61 cm - Niklas J Brandow (Sold)

Yes, I know it is just fields of paint, but the mind is persistent with trying to make sense of the information. That is one of the great aspects of non-figurative art, I think; That the mind is free to play with what it gets. In this uncertainty of forms and colours, it might even surrender and quiet down for a while, to just look for a few moments. Don't let the title limit your perception. Who knows what druids dream of anyway?

Bread from the mountains

When I behold my images I see events. I rarely know what kind of events they are, but something is happening here, and it is taking place in the mountains. Forces come together and... what? Perhaps nature is happening? Elemental forces merging and crashing against each other to create a world, just like the many colors combine to make a painting - or even a work of art on a good day.


'In the Mountains' - Acrylics on Canvas - 61 x 50 cm - Niklas J Brandow

When the forms and colors interact they aim for a kind of balance, and when that balance draws near, I feel a deepened sense of presence, and the beauty which is born resounds inside of me. It is almost like a tone becoming distinct from a previous mess of vibrations.

Aesthetics, or art, holds the strange power to alter our moods, and to some level even our mode of consciousness. I don't know how it works, and can only pay witness to it as I make my paintings. To what extent, I wonder, can this fruitful moment of purity (if I may call it that) be communicated to the audience? Do these forms and colors do anything to you?

The world in color

Here is the first image of my new work, which I intend to update this blog with, as long as I keep painting. I will not share everything, but a good deal of what I produce will be published here. For the rest of it, you shall have to visit future exhibition, or come take a look for yourself in my studio.


'As Worlds Swam By' - Acrylics on canvas - 100 x 81 cm - Niklas J Brandow

I like the motion in this one, and for some reason I think it has an ancient kind of mood to it, despite the playful forms. Perhaps it is the many ochre fields reminding me of old paintings and the mountains of historical Greece.

Feel free to leave a comment about what you see or think! Make sure to click the pic for a larger view, and please share, if you like... and dare.
(last part added for the sake of the rhyme...)