The Absolute series of paintings often pairs natural elements along side more man-made subject matter. As I explore my surroundings for content that matches with the overall vision of my next piece, I find that my work naturally has corresponding seasons with the world around me. This year’s spring has brought with it new inspirations and new adaptations. Now introducing Absolute: Mend, my latest oil painting. Continue reading to see more of this piece.
Absolute: Mend, Oil on reclaimed oak. 16″ x 31 1/4″. 5.4.15.
“It’s yours if you want it… But I’m dragging it to the dumpster on Friday if you don’t do something with it.”
Yep. That sentence. Usually, it’s regarding something big, amazing, and… most likely a tad unwieldy. Maybe it’s referring to that upright piano that you would LOVE to have, but just don’t have the room for. Or maybe it’s that dresser that you’ve needed, but your Honda Civic isn’t up to the challenge. In my latest case I was donated an antique jewelers cabinet that was in serious need of some love. Of course, it had to be claimed in the next few days or face decimation. I had a choice and I think I made the right one. This project was an absolutely fun piece-by-piece teardown and rebuild.
This new configuration is sleeker and more versatile. It’s now available to be used as a bar, dining room table, and of course–even a workbench. Read onward to learn more about this piece and its reclaiming process.
Workbench Table: made from antique reclaimed jeweler’s cabinet. 76 1/2″ x 34 3/4″ x 30 3/4″. 2.18.15.
As a person who works with reclaimed materials, I get asked where I find my materials a lot. In fact, I was asked this twice today. Here’s how this question usually goes:
“I’ve got this project I was thinking about making…. If you don’t mind me asking, where do you find all of this amazing material?!”
This is a very flattering question and I’m more than happy to share in the ‘reclaimed materials’ movement.
Having said that, I’ve found that there’s actually quite an array of motives and goals behind that question. This post will cover the right questions to ask yourself so that you can be on your way to finding newly reclaimed materials.
Pull up a stool, put a few quarters in the jukebox, and let me pour you a tall glass of soul. Today I debut my latest painting, “Absolute: Struggle”. That’s right, we’re about to get our blues on and it’s never been so blood red.
“Absolute: Struggle” ain’t your run of the mill moody-broody piece that emotes for the sake of being dark. That’s not my style. No, this piece ranks among my most pure soul-inspired paintings to date. It’s part of my deep blues repertoire. And I feel like the most potent blues aren’t merely explorations in pain, but rather a catharsis by the trumpeting of hope through tribulation. For every edge of despair there’s a modicum of pure unbridled exaltation in how one can still feel deeply.
This is one of the absolutes in our lives – that we can (and often do) have a duality of conflicting emotions that are so pervasively deep and yet so polar opposite. I set out to portray this abstract concept in this painting. Like with all blues, nobody wants to hear your song if it’s not a self-portrait of soul. So swill your spirits and scoot closer to the bar. This solo continues after the image.
Daric Gill Studios 
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