Originally on Facebook, the theme of this challenge was characters I either invented or further developed. There was a requirement to post 3 images of artwork a day for five days and end by nominating another artist to do the same. However, two of the images I had shown were previously documented in the post “Phil Poppin and the Return of Mr. Wisor”. In this case I will feature the third image, which was Sophia.
While the name Sophia is associated with wisdom, additionally this was my grandmother’s name. Upon reading about Sophia, I found that for those that do not understand wisdom Sophia takes on the appearance of a haggard old woman where as her beauty becomes more apparent for those who understand wisdom.
Next, I nominated artist Walter Andersons for this art challenge. In 1997 I drove out to Chicago for the first time, Walter was among several people that saved me. I had very little planned. Walter, barely knowing me, spent a free day with me and took me around town in style.
Below is a post card I have kept pinned to my bulletin board since 1999. The front features one of Walter’s paintings. Andersons’s art often features meticulous studies of photocopied source material (often art related or text). This study then gets coupled with an abstract background. In this case painting ienlivens what one may consider a degraded source (i.e. the photocopy) that may be a reproduction several generations from its source. Walter’s paintings offer qualities and observations that are both reflective and altogether new. Fragments are amplified and given new room and life.
I am glad to see that Walter now has a website where images of his paintings are studiously archived.