Mana Aina #16 – by Alejandro Goya – mixed media on panel – 56 x 12 x 2.25 inches – year 2024 – at Paia Contemporary Gallery
New Abstract Art by Alejandro Goya
This panel was laying all over the place over the floors & walls for about 2 years, until a couple of weeks ago when I realized about that one little thing that needed to be done. In my experience Abstract art sometimes isn’t obvious when it comes to minor details, and subtleties can sometimes go unnoticed for a while; at least at my studio. Although some paintings just seems to flow and get done easily almost effortlessly, other more complicated compositions like this abstract painting where there is a great amount of spontaneity and planning all at once, just takes for over… until that very last moment when all makes sense.
Mixed Media Painting by Alejandro Goya
Finally a mixed media painting that just flows and feels complete in a few days! Please more like it! I keep asking myself why is it that this only happens every once in a great while, maybe this occurs when I’ve had enough with experimenting with mixed media and that my wires have kindly stopped short circuiting. Or may be my real problem is that when I’m not experimenting, I feel like am redundant or taking shortcuts. I’m not sure if this is true, or that I’m obsessive compulsive or all at the same time. Anyway, here it is, but as usual one of the most appealing qualities of my work is its skin or texture, unfortunately an irreplaceable element that can’t be reproduced on a monitor.
New Abstract Painting by Alejandro Goya
This is one is one of those paintings that feels easy and balanced, then again it took forever to complete. I’m so hoping to get a break and start layering one of those paintings I can complete in less time than my latest ones, please! It might be that I’m moving into a new thing, I hope, or at least it is feeling like trying. And this “trying” to find what this new thing is, is getting me into all kinds of troubles; certainly a slow motion phase. The one good aspect about paintings that take forever, is that they have a higher level of complexity and tend to be my most unique artwork. I hope that when I figure it all out, if such moment ever happens, things will start flowing easily and mostly, magically. Also, not yet sure about the way Mana Aina #7 should hang. So far vertical just like here but be my guest and turn it around any way you want… very little gravity pull on this mixed media panel.
New Abstract Artwork by Alejandro Goya
Here is my latest abstract artwork. As usual, this panel was 2 or 3 other possible pieces before Mana Aina #6 felt right; maybe more like 5. People sometimes ask how long does it take me to complete a painting. For the most part it is embarrassing to tell the truth since it takes longer than all abstract artists I know. To be honest, for the most part of the making process I have no idea about what I’m doing. Even when I’m done with a painting, I’m not sure if it is done; but I have to draw the line somewhere and move on. I usually have about 10 panels at my studio in the process of becoming something. Some remain in that state for years. Mana Aina #6 was stucked in that process since 2010. I’m very happy it is here after wandering for so long. You can always view more of my more of abstract artwork here.
NEW ABSTRACT PAINTING by Alejandro Goya at Paia Contemporary Gallery
This is the latest abstract painting from my “Mana Aina” series. Because I don’t settle for a specific technique or media, an unexpected abstract painting is what I usually get. In other words, this piece is the accumulation of spontaneous trial & error moments that built up over a period of 4 months while working on several pieces at once. I never know which of the panels that I’m working on will be the first one to tell me “I’m here, back off.” I have to say I was not mentally prepared to accept this image right away, but it was mainly an emotional reaction or visual pleasure that made me realize this abstract painting wanted to be left alone.
About The Artist
Abstract artist Alejandro Goya is the owner and visionary behind Paia Contemporary Gallery. Since 1998, Alejandro Goya’s abstract art has appeared in several group and solo exhibitions in the USA. Recent events include repeat Artist in Residence at the Four Season’s Resort at Wailea, multiple Jury Exhibitions at the Schaefer International Gallery, HiArt Gallery (New York), a number of exhibitions at Paia Contemporary Gallery and other Hawaii Galleries.
Artist Statement
Living and painting by the ocean is a constant reminder of how people and nature have unintentionally partnered to create art. Rusting metal, pealing paint, colors on random surfaces are faded and transformed by the weather, while the changing sun light marks its permanent glaze upon them all.
I am intrigued by color interaction theories, and equally as relevant in my work, is the blend of left and right brain regarding composition, medium and color. Knowledge and experience, and their pivotal balance is key throughout the construction stages.
Though color is the highlight of my abstract paintings, other elements are in close watch. My minimalist paintings are free of texture and lines straight without variation, while the more spontaneous and freehand pieces favors thick and textured mixed media.
Overall, experimentation is the most rewarding facet. Walking through trial and error fields surprises me with the unexpected. Rules are broken for the sake of encouraging the new, and a more personal stream guides my work.
Many thanks Caprice and Michael for your inspiring and most amazing abstract art! Also, a huge thanks for everyone that joined us during this festive evening and a special thank you to our collectors who adopted their new abstract art from us during the opening reception.
NEW ABSTRACT ART by Paia Contemporary Gallery by Akira Iha
About the Artist
This new painting by Akira Iha just arrived to the gallery this week. On this latest piece the artist is combining his earlier with his later style. His meticulous abstract art and great amount of detail on each piece, makes him a very slow artist and only allowing for a few pieces yearly. His abstract art has been featured at a number of national galleries. Akira Iha has also shown at The Contemporary Museum of Honolulu, Honolulu Academy of Arts, the First Hawaiian Center , the Schaefer International Gallery at the Maui Arts and Cultural center and the Japanese Art Center of New York. Akira Iha’s abstract artwork resides in a number of private collections around the world both in international and public collections such as the Hawaii State Foundation of the Arts.
Artist Statement
Over the last several years I traveled throughout Japan visiting numerous Zen temples, the tea houses and famous historical ruins. My paintings describe the elegant beauty of simplicity and tranquility I found in these places, inspired by the formal exterior and interior structures of the Japanese tea house as well as the meditative properties of the tea house ceremony. Nijiriguchi, the title of several of my abstract paintings, directly translates to mean the threshold or opening of the tea house. As an abstract artist, my mixed media paintings are built by multiple layers of paint on sheets of paper on wood panel. Then, using a reductive process, pigments are removed by incising lines and sanding the paint to expose parts of the under layers of color. This technique creates a geometric structure with a subtle sense of space. This minimalist paintings lets the viewer’s eye be drawn into the composition as if entering a structure. Light seems to emanate from within through the exposed areas of submerged color.
Abstract Wood Sculptures by CAPRICE PIERUCCI & Abstract Paintings by MICHAEL KESSLER
It is time to celebrate the holidays and our first 2014 ART OPENING RECEPTION & EXHIBITION!
We welcome you to join us on SATURDAY, MARCH 1 (6-8pm) to our Artist Reception. On this awaited social and festive evening, we are looking forward to unveiling with you the exiting new abstract mixed media sculptures by Texas artist CAPRICE PIERUCCI & the abstract paintings by Santa Fe artist MICHAEL KESSLER [Appetizers and drinks will be served at the courtyard].
Simultaneously, fashion designer Tamara Catz with her boutique next door to our gallery will be hosting her special eventing event with life music, fashion show and kombucha bar.
We look forward to seeing you at Paia Contemporary Gallery on this exciting evening. And if you are away, you may now view the artist’s new artwork online at: Caprice Pierucci – Michael Kessler
[PS: For updates on our upcoming exhibition, follow us on Facebook & Twitter next week]
About The Artists
Caprice Pierucci received her MFA from the School of Visual Arts in New York City. She has been in over ninety exhibitions and has won numerous awards. Caprice Pierucci’s work is also included in some prestigious collections such as Westinghouse, Morgan Stanley, Four Seasons and the Rockefeller collection. Caprice Pierucci has also exhibited at the DallasFine Arts Museum, Beeville Art Museum, Wichita Falls Museum and El Paso Museum of Art among others.
Michael Kessler was born in 1954 in Hanover, Pennsylvania and had his first art show in 1080. His art awards include the Rome Prize for Painting from the American Academy in Rome in 1990 and the Pollock/Krasner Award in Painting. His modern artwork has been widely exhibited in the US and abroad via international and national galleries, and has been featured in over 150 SOLO exhibitions since 1983. Michael Kessler’s abstract paintings are widely collected and appear in over 20 museum collections in the US, including the Brooklyn Museum in New York, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.