KEN CRO-KEN
ECOSYSTEM PAINTER
Welcome to my website!
Thanks for dropping by to have a look at my form of painting.
Please feel free to contact me with comments, questions and/or to be on my mailing list for events.
KC-K, Bash Bish Falls, N.Y. (MANAHATTAN PROJECT) AND "ENVIRONMENTAL FLAG(S), (* shaped by the wind off the East River, D.U.M.B.O., NY 2007)
A hot, cold wet or day day will affect a Speed Element paint experiment whether I leave the indoor studio or not.
I want to actualize and utilize where I am; knowing that nature is all around us.
I paint in above freezing, below temperatures, high and low attitude...
in other words, everywhere I can;
and try to achieve a balance between my inner and outer self
and therefore, am forced to be more sensitive to what is actually occurring outside myself.
My art is not so much about realism or abstraction as it is a pursuit of the actual.
Using my Speed Element paints for exactly 30 years this Spring 2010,
I am concerned with a physical investigation of our planet.
I paint in: below freezing, above freezing, high and low altitude,
wet and dry areas, in other word... everywhere;
and I learn about paint and nature simultaneously.
The same paint experiment conducted in London, Anchorage Alaska, Tahiti
or Death Valley in the middle of summer will have totally different effects.
This is a physical investigation of paint and nature;
restoring a triad between the abstract, realistic and actual.
I take my rightful place as a part of and not the "center of the universe... even as a painter.
It's about how nature and I move together.
Saint Patrick's Weekend Snow Painting 2007
..............
By mixing paints and catalysts together, I set my "Speed Element" paints into motion
and mimic the push-pull forces found in nature that shape and mold all things.
As a result, I paint microscopic as well as satellite views of the earth
and places scattered throughout the universe.
These are abstracts waiting to be called realistic when technology "catches up".
Thanks for dropping by to have a look at my form of painting.
Please feel free to contact me with comments, questions and/or to be on my mailing list for events.
KC-K, Bash Bish Falls, N.Y. (MANAHATTAN PROJECT) AND "ENVIRONMENTAL FLAG(S), (* shaped by the wind off the East River, D.U.M.B.O., NY 2007)
A hot, cold wet or day day will affect a Speed Element paint experiment whether I leave the indoor studio or not.
I want to actualize and utilize where I am; knowing that nature is all around us.
I paint in above freezing, below temperatures, high and low attitude...
in other words, everywhere I can;
and try to achieve a balance between my inner and outer self
and therefore, am forced to be more sensitive to what is actually occurring outside myself.
My art is not so much about realism or abstraction as it is a pursuit of the actual.
Using my Speed Element paints for exactly 30 years this Spring 2010,
I am concerned with a physical investigation of our planet.
I paint in: below freezing, above freezing, high and low altitude,
wet and dry areas, in other word... everywhere;
and I learn about paint and nature simultaneously.
The same paint experiment conducted in London, Anchorage Alaska, Tahiti
or Death Valley in the middle of summer will have totally different effects.
This is a physical investigation of paint and nature;
restoring a triad between the abstract, realistic and actual.
I take my rightful place as a part of and not the "center of the universe... even as a painter.
It's about how nature and I move together.
Saint Patrick's Weekend Snow Painting 2007
As an earthwork or ecosystem painter, I directly rely on the invisible forces that shape and mold all things and set my "Speed Element" paints
into motion and recreate the push-pull forces found in nature to mimic
how the universe appears near and far; not only in appearance but also
how it moves over time. By
mimicking the invisible forces of nature I paint microscopic as well as
satellite views of the earth and places scattered throughout the
universe. These are abstracts waiting to be called realistic when
technology "catches up".
"A Brief Moment in Time", 48" x 36" 2001
It goes beyong my imagination but not my abilities or efforts
to peer into the seemingly endless multiverse.
An active Speed Element
paint experiment produces many paint formations, images and places that elude
capture by the canvas but not the video camera. It would be more
accurate to call a painting that comes to rest a "painted" and the video could more accurately be called the "painting".to peer into the seemingly endless multiverse.
Having created and developed my Speed Element palette since 1980 I realize that I
only scratched the surface
within the dawn of the Space Age and a new millennium. If a painting tells a story I want time to tell it.
within the dawn of the Space Age and a new millennium. If a painting tells a story I want time to tell it.
"If we decide to choose our own ways,as opposed to natures',
nature will not be slow in undeceiving us."
- RALPH WALDO EMERSON -
nature will not be slow in undeceiving us."
- RALPH WALDO EMERSON -
It may not appear to be so, but I
am a disciple of Jackson Pollock. The potential for chance that
Pollock enjoyed occurred the moment the paint left his brush or stick
until it landed on the canvas. Those fascinating moments are extended
from seconds to: hours, days, weeks and even longer; depending on
countless variables. Such as: altitude, humidity, above and below
freezing temperatures...etc. Pollock recorded his movement. What I
am recording is a direct relationship with nature. My pursuit is the
actual and I take my place as part of and not the center of the
universe.
An active Speed Element paint experiment produces many paint formations and images that elude capture by the canvas but not the video camera. It would be more accurate to call a painting that comes to rest a "painted" and the video could more accurately be called the "painting".
Long Island and Connecticut 2003
Places and images emerge as these paintings are "activated" and a reactive improvisation ensues. Quick decisions are made as to which images to capture and enhance while others are left behind to disappear like changing cloud in the sky. It is not just paint and me, but the whole world itself has a role to play as nature, time and timing become active participants. The pursuit is to remain sensitive to what is occurring around me and therefore, strike a balance between my inner and outer self while farsightedness becomes an essential component within my painting experience.
An active Speed Element paint experiment produces many paint formations and images that elude capture by the canvas but not the video camera. It would be more accurate to call a painting that comes to rest a "painted" and the video could more accurately be called the "painting".
Long Island and Connecticut 2003
Places and images emerge as these paintings are "activated" and a reactive improvisation ensues. Quick decisions are made as to which images to capture and enhance while others are left behind to disappear like changing cloud in the sky. It is not just paint and me, but the whole world itself has a role to play as nature, time and timing become active participants. The pursuit is to remain sensitive to what is occurring around me and therefore, strike a balance between my inner and outer self while farsightedness becomes an essential component within my painting experience.
..............
By mixing paints and catalysts together, I set my "Speed Element" paints into motion
and mimic the push-pull forces found in nature that shape and mold all things.
As a result, I paint microscopic as well as satellite views of the earth
and places scattered throughout the universe.
These are abstracts waiting to be called realistic when technology "catches up".
"A Brief Moment in Time", 48" x 36" 2001
My art is not so much about realism or abstraction
as it is a pursuit of the actual.
This is a physical investigation that I have developed with our planet
for nearly 30 years with my Speed Element palette.
I paint in: below freezing, above freezing, high and low altitude,
wet and dry areas, in other word... everywhere;
and I learn about paint and nature simultaneously.
as it is a pursuit of the actual.
This is a physical investigation that I have developed with our planet
for nearly 30 years with my Speed Element palette.
I paint in: below freezing, above freezing, high and low altitude,
wet and dry areas, in other word... everywhere;
and I learn about paint and nature simultaneously.
"If we decide to choose our own ways,as opposed to natures',
nature will not be slow in undeceiving us."
- RALPH WALDO EMERSON -
nature will not be slow in undeceiving us."
- RALPH WALDO EMERSON -
It may not appear to be so, but I am a disciple of Jackson Pollock. The potential for chance that Pollock enjoyed occurred the moment the paint left his brush or stick until it landed on the canvas. Those fascinating moments are extended from seconds to: hours, days, weeks and even longer; depending on countless variables. Such as: altitude, humidity, above and below freezing temperatures...etc. Pollock recorded his movement. What I am recording is a direct relationship with nature. My pursuit is the actual and I take my place as part of and not the center of the universe.
Essentially what I do is manipulate space, time and matter. The matter in my case, is paint.
Places and images emerge as these paintings are "activated" and a reactive improvisation ensues. Quick decisions are made as to which images to capture and enhance while others are left behind to disappear like changing cloud in the sky. It is not just paint and me, but the whole world itself has a role to play as nature, time and timing become active participants. The pursuit is to remain sensitive to what is occurring around me and therefore, strike a balance between my inner and outer self while farsightedness becomes an essential component within my painting experience.
KC-K photograph of Pleasant Bay, Cape Cod for a painting, photo and video series. August 2009
Born
one month and a day before the first spacecraft was ever launched,
(SPUTNIK, October 4th, 1957), I made it just in time to usher in
the Space Age and offer a form of painting that accommodates this
exciting era in human history.
The history of realism and abstraction have helped me to perceive art.
However, it was the inspired writings of such people as: Stephen Hawkins, Albert Einstein,
Ralph Waldo Emerson and Alfred North Whitehead... that helped me to perceive the universe.
However, it was the inspired writings of such people as: Stephen Hawkins, Albert Einstein,
Ralph Waldo Emerson and Alfred North Whitehead... that helped me to perceive the universe.
Art books could no longer answer the questions I had about paint. Writings, such as Emerson's - THE CONDUCT OF LIFE, (1860), helped me to realize that I could replace the word nature for the word paint, to create the "art books" I sought. In the gallery booklet that I am completing, it was unavoidable for me to quote Emerson often and will therefore be entitled: THE CONDUCT OF PAINT.
Hopefully, you will get an idea of where my paints, methods and thoughts are leading me
by the trail of paintings that I've made for nearly thirty years
using my Speed Element palette to observe our world and more.
Let me take you on a journey that goes beyond my imagination but not my ability and efforts,
to see the universe by way of my Speed Element paint experiments.
to see the universe by way of my Speed Element paint experiments.
The links below will lead you to see more of my paintings and videos.
GaiaTECH I
C.B.G.B.'s Gallery April 2004
GaiaTECH I is a compilation video from many TIME RELEASED PERFORMANCES with:
MATT SULLIVAN, composer, musician, FirstAVEnue electro-acoustic trio and guests.
GaiaTECH I is a compilation video from many TIME RELEASED PERFORMANCES with:
MATT SULLIVAN, composer, musician, FirstAVEnue electro-acoustic trio and guests.
www.youtube.com/kencroken
(GaiaTECH II in HD is in the works!!!)
Then, begin the journey of seeing my Speed Element paintings,
by clicking on this link below:
http://kencroken.com/KC-K_SPEED_ELEMENT_PAINTS.html
It would also be a pleasure to set up an appointment for a studio visit.
I promise you that you will never see the world quite the same again.
If you would like to receive notice of future gallery openings, performances and other events,
please go to the CONTACT US tab above.
(Comments and/or questions are greatly appreciated!)
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