Over just a few years, Thomas Blackshear II went from being a relatively unknown artist in the world of Western art to one of its biggest stars. As he’s continued to grow, he’s turned his attention more than usual to quality, even as deadlines pull his work in dozens of directions.
“My biggest challenge these days is that my work has found some fame and recognition. It’s a wonderful feeling, but it can also be a big challenge when it comes in floods,” Blackshear says. “There is a lot of juggling, including what shows to take and not to take. It’s hard for me because I respect the process of painting so much, and I don’t want to take any shortcuts, no matter how busy I get.”
Zach, oil on canvas board, 14 x 11 in.
This attention to his work has manifested into a studio system that allows him to carefully decide where his attention should be directed first. Big paintings, for instance, get special attention early, while smaller works can fill in the spaces around the bigger pieces. “The hardest part is not the painting, or even the concept. Those are easy for me,” he adds. “The hardest part is getting it all done.” The artist adds that he will take a two- to three-week period and map out the next batch of paintings. During that time, he won’t paint a single stroke, but when it’s over he will have 25 new ideas, many with research and inspiration already sorted out. He’ll also have thumbnails in a notebook. He’ll spread the thumbnails out and arrange them by their complexity. This is how he plans what’s on the easel.
“I’m gettin’ it done,” Blackshear laughs.
Otis, oil on canvas board, 14 x 11 in.
For his newest show, Portraits, opening April 5 at Maxwell Alexander Gallery in Pasadena, California, Blackshear will be showing head-and-shoulder images of figures, many of them Black cowboys. The men are dressed in colorful outfits that include different styles of hats, handkerchiefs, patterned shirts, coats and vests. In each, the figure either stares off to the side or straight ahead, as if acknowledging the viewer.
“For the handkerchiefs, I make up the designs. I like coming up with those different bandana styles. I keep a collection of them, but I also come up with my own for different paintings,” he says. “When I worked with [painter] Mark English, I learned a lot about experimenting with different patterns. He was a creative guy. Once he used tar in a painting. I remember thinking that artists could do whatever they wanted. So, as a response to some of that, I just make up my patterns.”
Sam, oil on canvas board, 12 x 9 in.
Although the colors and patterns are striking, so are the faces he paints. His subjects have fascinating expressions that are filled with emotion, but also slightly vacant in a mysterious way. These men are in the middle of their own stories—stories that are hidden from the viewer. But that mystery is its own story.
Blackshear’s new show will continue through April 19 at Maxwell Alexander Gallery. —
Maxwell Alexander Gallery 1300 N. Lake Avenue » Pasadena, CA » (213) 275-1060 » www.maxwellalexandergallery.com
Powered by Froala Editor
