Artist Bob Landström creates visually delightful works using an unusual medium—crushed volcanic rock. Enjoy and find more by visiting his website.
![painting of a bird made with crush volcanic rock](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Invited-Resonator-Pigmented-Volcanic-Rock-on-Canvas-48-x-48.jpg)
“Invited Resonator” pigmented volcanic rock on canvas, 48″ x 48″
I was born and raised near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In my youth, the steel industry there was in full swing. Heavy machinery, smoke, and fire was everywhere, and unavoidable. Earth, fire, air, and water converged violently and beautifully.
![pigmented volcanic painting of a bird](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Diode-Absolve-Pigmented-Volcanic-Rock-on-Canvas-48H-x-48W.jpg)
“Diode Absolve” pigmented volcanic rock on canvas, 48″ x 48″
My formal art training is from Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh, and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. I also have bachelors and masters degrees in electrical engineering.
![abstract pigmented volcanic rock painting with bird form](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/12229-kHz-Pigmented-Volcanic-Rock-on-Canvas-20Hx48W-.jpg)
“12229 kHz” pigmented Volcanic rock on canvas, 20″ x 48″
My aesthetic is rooted in metaphysics, ancient religions, and so-called primitive cultures. I often work from subject matter in the areas where art and science overlap. Indeed, metaphysics and theoretical physics increasingly seem to be two sides of the same coin. When an idea captures my imagination, I dive into the rabbit hole carrying a pick and shovel. I’ll conduct experiments, read as much as I can find on the topic, and 12 to 18 months later I’ll have a body of work documenting my journey.
![painting of birds with pigmented volcanic rock](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Hertzian-Heartened-Pigmented-Volcanic-Rock-on-Canvas-48-x-48-.jpg)
“Hertzian Heartened,” pigmented Volcanic rock on canvas, 48″ x 48″
Materiality is important to me, and the materials used in a work of art should reinforce what the work is about. I used to paint with liquid paint, but it left me unfulfilled. I started experimenting with alternative materials. Ultimately, I chose to paint with the Earth itself. Volcanic rock, in particular, has been important for me. I like its alchemical nature. Once liquid within the Earth, now solid in my hand.
![bold abstract painting with pigmented volcanic rock](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Bubooxa-Pigmented-Volcanic-Rock-on-Canvas-72x60-in.jpg)
“Bubooxa” pigmented volcanic rock on canvas, 72″ x 60″
Painting with matter, rather than liquid paint, can stretch the conceptual as well as the practical directions in the studio. It took a good deal of time and invention to make friends with volcanic rock as a painting medium. Most fundamentally, I’ve had to discover ways to permanently pigment the crushed rock.
![whimsical abstract painting with pigmented volcanic rock](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Hedy-Lamarr-Pigmented-Volcanic-Rock-on-Canvas-20Hx60W.jpg)
“Hedy Lamarr” pigmented volcanic rock on canvas, 20″ x 60″
In my studio, there are dozens of bins containing different sizes and colors of gravel. I can do things with color using a dry medium that I couldn’t do with liquid paint because the pigment doesn’t blend between two adjacent pieces of gravel. Every grain on the painting is individually colored before it’s attached to the canvas. There’s a primal experience that you wouldn’t get with paint.
![whimsical painting made with crushed volcanic rock](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Chookalu-Pigmented-Volcanic-Rock-on-Canvas-48Hx60W-in-.jpg)
“Chookalu” pigmented volcanic rock on canvas, 48″ x 60″
Because my work grows from the discovery of ideas, I tend to produce work in a series. For example, I once did a series entitled Conjuring Secrets, which was about what it means when a secret is suddenly discovered. A few years ago, I studied about quantum mechanics, and in particular, the notion of multiple parallel universes. I produced a body of work for a solo show in Los Angeles entitled Multiverse.
![bird painting using pigmented crushed volcanic rock](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Avian-Rheostat-Pigmented-Volcanic-Rock-on-Canvas-24H-x-72W-.jpg)
“Avian Rheostat” pigmented volcanic rock on canvas, 24″ x 72″
Last year, I had a solo show in Atlanta entitled, Florum Somnia or Plants Dreaming. This was about plant communications and the notion of plant sentience. I used a device that connected a house plant to a synthesizer, providing the background music during the artist’s talk.
![crushed pigmented volcanic rock painting](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Noodile-Pigmented-Volcanic-Rock-on-Canvas-36x36-in.jpg)
“Noodile” pigmented volcanic rock on canvas, 36″ x 36″
Recently, I’ve been thinking about static and electromagnetic interference. In particular, the idea of messages between messages, and information that emerges out of seemingly random signals. It’s a strong metaphor for lots of things in life.
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I loved reading about your art Bob. Particularly your use of volcanic rock as I agree that liquid paint can be limiting on a canvas. I found your works stunning and so interesting.
Thanks, Julee. If you have any paint alternatives that are working for you, please share if you can.