Artist Spotlight | Stallman Studio & Jack Storms
As an artist myself, I appreciate and enjoy many forms of art. I am always amazed by those who produce incredible artistic works from scratch using materials that by themselves have humble beginnings. From time to time, I run across artists whose work moves me on a deeper level. Today, as part of my new Artist Spotlight Series, I would like to share with you two of my personal favorites. The first is the artist duo of Jason Hallman and Stephen Stum, known to many around the world as Stallman Studio. The second, a gentleman I have been fortunate to be indirectly connected with, the amazing sculptor of crystal glass, Jack Storms.
Stallman Studio
From the very first time I saw the work of Pacific Northwest based artists Jason Hallman and Stephen Stum, I was absolutely mystified. Together these incredible artist use canvas and acrylic to produce some of the most dynamic and fluid abstract works I have even seen called Canvas On Edge and Excavated Paintings.
Hallman and Stum, showing both Nationally and Internationally are a Pacific Northwest based artist duo, that merge talent and vision to create multifaceted sculpture. They find inspiration from patterns and gradients in the natural world. The duo also combined their names Stum and Hallman to create Stallman. While creating, one acts as the right side of the brain and the other the left. This union dissolves the boundaries of what is possible turning the ordinary into extraordinary.
Canvas on Edge – Stallman is pioneering a new technique and new art form using paint and canvas as sculpture, naming this body of work Canvas on Edge. They are taking canvas and paint and giving it a creative edge. Canvas has been given the leading role, creating form, highlight and movement.
The cut edge of the canvas creates an elevated line drawing and when seen at an angle, fields of color emerge as your perspective to the piece changes. Each length of painted canvas is bonded to itself and to the background creating a rigid structure within the frame. The hue of the painted canvas reflects on the background creating a spectrum of color. By using reflected light, pigment and structure they multiply the hues and tones within each sculpture.
Excavated Paintings – Jason Hallman – My paintings are layered one on top of the other, building up a timeline of acrylic geology. The field is then excavated and carved revealing layers and visions from the past. Color and textures emerge from this archeological dig as I search for a new truth and create a new story.
Every new piece that is created seems to speak to me. As a photographer who enjoys abstract work very much, the motion, fluidity and dynamics of these pieces both remind me of nature and encourage me to dig deeper when creating my own art. Lines, forms, shapes and color are all so beautiful to me and the work created by these two gentleman is mind-blowing to say the least. With gallery representations in London, Paris, Hong Kong, Dubai, Singapore, Seoul Korea and the United States, you are sure to be able to view these amazing works of art for yourself no matter where you call home.
