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Tony Saladino Solo Exhibition: Abstracted Landscape

Presented by Buchanan Gallery at Buchanan Gallery (Galveston)

May 29-July 3, 2010

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Buchanan Gallery presents Tony Saladino Solo Exhibition: Abstracted Landscape, on view May 29 through July 3.

"These new paintings show the pleasure and joy that I've felt in painting them," says Tony Saladino, whose work has been exhibited nationally over the past two decades and has been acquired by numerous public and private collections. We have approximately 9 nine acrylic on canvas paintings created in 2010. In addition, a number of earlier works featuring still life motifs are also available.

"Abstracted Landscapes"  The artist writes: 

Obviously there are more than just landscapes in this show. But the preponderance of work is indeed about the landscape either realistically done or abstracted. The earlier prints (mostly mezzotints) were done when I was more interested in depicting what was before me in a way that was mine but still easily recognizable.

The latest work goes beyond what is easily known to what is more loosely handled and showing my “marks”. I think these new paintings show the pleasure and joy that I've felt painting them. I think my mantra now is more - JUST DO IT! The things that are interesting to me haven't changed but when I work now I do it without so much worry. I still think about the ideas and constructs beforehand. But when I begin to paint I do it with the knowledge that what I have to offer is all I have and that's OK. I'm beginning to accept the marks and scribbles as “what I do” and acceptable. At least some of the new pieces show a more lyrical and gestural mark that uses line and color as well as shape and texture to convey my reaction to the blank canvas.

It's a little scary to just let those marks just come out. But when I do and when I let myself rely on the style and skill that I've already developed it's only then that I can invite the duende* to visit me. So my work now comes from whatever imagery comes to me. It is less about the struggle to understand how the universe is put together. It is still about using duality as a motif in some of the work. There is no criteria, no “thrust” except to just do it. The preoccupation with form is still there but as I let myself accept what comes out I see that more often than not that it's OK to do that. Not worrying about perfection is freeing. Allowing error, mistakes and failure is a part of being human that connects us all and I feel very comfortable doing my art that manner now.

I hope you'll enjoy viewing the exhibition and perhaps be stimulated to think about some of the things that I also consider while creating the paintings.