Brian Fisher Print, Paint and Sculpture Blog

Each month a small community of Vashon Island artists meet in one another's homes to feast, to converse about art and share where their creative paths have taken them since last they met.  The group has been meeting since 2005. In some measure each gathering represents the cycle that defines Journey.  The dinners have come to represent conclusions and beginnings, demarcations that round the individual's creative search for expression that is somehow more fully realized when shared within this community of friends.  In recognition of our shared paths, I am one of nine artists this show represents, we decided a year ago to create new work that would express our personal interpretation and exploration of Journey as subject.   On Tuesday, October 30 I will help gallery director for Vashon Allied Arts, Janice Mallman, hang and mount our show in the Blue Heron Gallery .  I have seen some of the work in progress but I anticipate the thrill of seeing th

Fall rains, or our seasonal wet, have finally arrived on Vashon Island and in the Pacific Northwest.  I have been thankful for our delayed Fall weather and the extended opportunity to work outside. Yesterday, though, the fantasy ended and my outside rusting process came to a close.  Here are a few images of me taking apart the process and revealing a rust plate and rusted image. This rust print is sourced in Apollonius of Rhodes description of The Harpies attacking King Phineus of Thrace, (Thrake.)  Phineus first traded his sight for foresight and was subsequently punished by Zeus for revealing too many secrets of the Olympian gods.  Zeus sent the Harpies to snatch any food set before Phineus and befoul any scraps left behind.  When Jason and the Argonauts befriended  Phineus the winged Boreades, Zetes and his brother Calais, gave chase.  They pursued The Harpies to the Strophades Islands where the goddess Iris directed them to turn back and leave the Harp

The 11th annual "UNCLAD" Art Show opened yesterday October 12th and will run through the 14th, 10 am to 5 pm, at the Floyd Norgaard Cultural Center in Stanwood.  Admission: $5 suggested donation. The show features over 150 artworks -- all nudes -- by artists from across the country. A variety of styles and mediums are on display, from watercolors and oils to bronze, steel, and glass sculpture. Special Events include a lecture and reception with art historian and travel guide, Vicki Artimovich, on Saturday evening, Oct. 13th, from 6 pm to 9 pm. The "Floyd" is located at 27130 102nd St NW, about two blocks north of SR 532. For more information about the show and a preview of the Art, visit the website. www.uncladart.com At left, Nature’s Priest , is one of four of my own works in the 2012 Unclad show.  Nature’s Priest is an oil on canvas and is 46.5 x 17.5 in.

Hylas, Lost to Love  14  x 14 in.  Rust Monoprint Apollonios Rhodios wrote his version of the Argonautika, the story of Jason and the Quest for the Golden Fleece, in the 3rd century BC but this Hero's story is probably the oldest extant Greek myth. When I began my investigation of “rust” as a medium for creative process a year and a half ago I decided to make the Argonautika the subject for my personal quest and chose Peter Green’s translation of the Argonautika as source for my imagery.  Below, Green describes the fate of Hercules companion, Hylas in a significant chapter of the Argonautika. 'Hylas, then, came to the spring that was known as The Fountains by local inhabitants. Just now, as it chanced, the dances of the nymphs were being held there; for it was their custom, that of all the nymphs who dwelt around that lovely mountain, ever to honor Artemis with nocturnal song. Now all whose haunts were hilltops or mountain torrents, the guardian wood nymphs, these were

The Argonauts  Monoprint  (12.5 x 32.5 in.) The Argonauts is another of my new Monoprints created for exhibition at the Vashon Hardware Store Restaurant Gallery.  The show comes down at the end of August but I am happy to say it was captured for posterity or at least for a few cyber years by Google Maps.  Click here to go to Google Maps and the restaurant interior.  Take the virtual tour to the back and right of the restaurant bar, down the hallway and Gallery and see my Monotypes and Monoprints, Rust Prints and Oil paintings. What a Kick!  Let me know which one's you like.

The Calydonian Boar is one of many new Monoprints and paintings on display in my solo show at the Hardware Store Restaurant Gallery , August 3 thru September 5.  I thoroughly enjoyed the Vashon First Friday opening reception.  Thank you friends and patrons for stopping by to see what art I have been making this past spring and early summer. The Hardware Store Resturant and Gallery is a celebrated destination Vashon eatery and unique venue for artists. Thank you Hardware Store Restaurant and Gallery owner Melinda Sontgerath and manager Alex Van Amburg for an invitation to show in the gallery. The Calydonian Boar hunt in Greek myth celebrates the victorious hero Meleager and heroine Atlanta.  They are each also part of the Argonautica crew and the epic quest for the Golden Fleece.

"Europa"   Monoprint,  21 x 21 in. The Roman poet Ovid wrote of Europa’s seduction by Zeus- And gradually she lost her fear, and he Offered his breast for her virgin caresses, His horns for her to wind with chains of flowers Until the princess dared to mount his back Her pet bull's back, unwitting whom she rode. Then—slowly, slowly down the broad, dry beach— First in the shallow waves the great god set His spurious hooves, then sauntered further out Till in the open sea he bore his prize Fear filled her heart as, gazing back, she saw The fast receding sands. Her right hand grasped A horn, the other lent upon his back Her fluttering tunic floated in the breeze. "Europa" is one of many new prints and paintings on display in my solo show at the Hardware Store Restaurant Gallery August 3 thru September 5 with the opening reception August 3 at 6pm.