Featured Artist Hal Mayforth

Free-flowing and expressive abstract paintings by Hal Mayforth are filled with energy and motion. Visit his website to view more of his art.

 

 

My work has had a long and steady evolution in the sketchbooks that I have been keeping for the last 40 years. I have a routine that I have been following for many years. I meditate for 20 minutes and follow that up with an hour session drawing in my books.

 

 

The meditation clears my head and allows the good stuff to rise to the top. After meditating, my drawing is more relaxed and focused. I never know where these sessions will take me. The unexpected plays a big role in my present work.

 

 

I have had a long career as a humorous illustrator. My work has appeared in many major magazines. Throughout my career, I have always continued to do my personal work.

 

 

Several years ago I was fortunate enough to have a residency at the Vermont Studio Center in Johnson, Vermont. It changed my approach to my art. Prior to my VSC visit, I had been doing easel grid paintings on wood panel. The generous space of my VSC studio allowed me to start working on a larger scale, painting gesturally with my whole body, rather than just my wrist.

 

 

Upon my return from my residency, I rearranged my studio so that I had a large wall to work on and have been working on a large scale ever since.

 

 

These paintings are about the spontaneity of automatic drawing combined with the more cerebral act of editing. I try to let the materials do the work and react to what is presented to me, after an initial burst of unfiltered mark making.

 

 

In some ways, my work reflects the chaos and rhythms of nature and everyday life and how chaos can unexpectedly veer towards beauty. I find this way of working deeply satisfying. I am always looking forward to what the next painting will reveal.

 

 

I have been actively marketing this work for the last several years. I spend most mornings to that end. The afternoons are for painting.

 

 

My work is in many online galleries and I have been seeking representation in quality galleries. I have also been marketing my work to art consultants with an eye on the hospitality, corporate, and healthcare markets.

 

Artist Hal Mayforth invites you to follow him on Facebook and Twitter.

 

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