PICTOGRAPHIC ABSTRACT EXPRESSIONISM/ 'Swede's Flat' by Eric Whollem/ 'My Approach to Pictographic Abstraction'/ Comments on Native American Rock Art

Swede's Flat

1985

by Eric Whollem

mixed media on paper

20 3/4" x 14 7/8"

Collection of the artist

COPYRIGHT BY THE ARTIST

My Approach to Pictographic Abstraction

I have long appreciated the works of European artists such as Paul Klee

and Joan Miro, who were the principal forerunners of pictographic

abstraction. My European mentors utilized the inspiration of the paleolithic

artists of their own continent.

My studies of the rock art of the American Indians has been highly

influential in the pictographic design of my own art. I have travelled to

locate rock art sites in numerous places in California, the state with

the largest quantity of petroglyphs. Texas is second in numerical

quantity of such art. The Native American arts of Utah and the

Southwest have been given the most focus by the general public; this

may be due to the spectacular scenery in which the art is found.

CONCOW MAIDU INDIAN CULTURE

I lived off and on for thirty-five years in very close proximity to

Concow Maidu Indians in Northern California, where I assimilated

a great deal of Maidu cultural lore, which is often reflected in my art.

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               An art video by Eric Whollem, 2011

Readers interested in my posts on PICTOGRAPHS AND PETROGLYPHS should see:

http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/pictographs%20and%20petroglyphs

See my ABSTRACT ART:

http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/abstract%20art

Figurative Abstractions Video.                      

See MAIDU INDIANS:

http://artlblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/maidu%20indians

Concow Maidu Art Themes Video.                        

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FIGURATIVE ABSTRACTION/ 'Spring Nocturne' by Eric Whollem/ A pictographic work utilizing aqueous media and parafin resist

Spring Nocturne

1985

by Eric Whollem

mixed media on paper

20 3/4" X 14 3/4"

Collection of the artist

COPYRIGHT BY THE ARTIST

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Readers interested in seeing more of my FIGURATIVE ABSTRACTIONS should see:

http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/figurative%20abstraction

BELOW ARE A FEW SAMPLE IMAGES

OF MY FIGURATIVE

ABSTRACTIONS

(Copyright by the artist)

CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE

SWEDES' FLAT

THE GUNAS

DREAM FRIENDS

THIS VIDEO

SHOWCASES MY

CONTEMPORARY ART

ERIC WHOLLEM                             

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FIGURATIVE EXPRESSIONISM/ 'Dusk in the Form World' by Eric Whollem, 1987/ Mixed media painting on paper/ An expressionistic abstraction based on studies of petroglyphs and pictographs

Dusk in the Form World

1987

by Eric Whollem

mixed media on paper

15" x 10 1/4"

Collection of the artist

COPYRIGHT BY THE ARTIST

The Form World

The 'Form World' is a term that one finds in metaphysics. The

idea being that on the psychic planes, forms take a lower

echelon in the scheme of things on 'the other side.'

Above the Form World, sometimes referred to as the Mental

Plane, is the Formless World. This is called Dharmakaya in

Buddhism. The Formless World is conceived of as a plane of

radiant light.

I depict the Form World here in pictographic images, some of

which are anthropomorphic and figurative, though some might

regard these figurations as rather 'childlike.'  In this respect I

follow in suit of the Blaue Reiter artists such as Paul Klee, who

adored the freedom of children's art.

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See more of my FIGURATIVE ABSTRACTIONS on this link:

http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/figurative%20abstraction

VIEW MY VIDEO OF MY

CONTEMPORARY ART

CREATIONS

Contemporary Art Video                                     

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A PICTOGRAPHIC FIGURATIVE ABSTRACTION/ 'Seeds of Trimurti' by Eric Whollem, 1988/ A mixed media painting on paper/ ABSTRACT ART/ A painting derived from studies of Native American rock art~pictographs and petroglyphs

Seeds of Trimurti

1988

by Eric Whollem

mixed media on paper

17" x 11"

Collection of the artist

COPYRIGHT BY THE ARTIST

Etching Through Thick Glue With a Stick:

A MODERN PICTOGRAPHIC TECHNIQUE

This painting was created by a technique that I adapted from

a Japanese printmaking technique that involved the manufacture

of rubbings from printing plates made from glue on paper.

Although this is a completed painting, a rubbing could be made

from the deeply grooved impasto surface.

One will note that this technique is an excellent way of evoking

the styles commonly seen in archaic rock art and petroglyphs.

THE SEEDS OF TRIMURTI

Trimurti is a Sanskrit term that refers to the 'three forms' of

God. Most Hindus accept a major trinity of Gods: Brahma,

Vishnu and Shiva.

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See my posts on PICTOGRAPHS AND PETROGLYPHS on this link:

http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/pictographs%20and%20petroglyphs

More of my FIGURATIVE ABSTRACTIONS can be seen here:

http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/figurative%20abstraction

Find out more about TRIMURTI:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trimurti

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CONCOW MAIDU INFLUENCES IN MODERN ABSTRACTION/ 'Dream Friends' by Eric Whollem, 1985/ Mixed media painting on paper/ A PICTOGRAPHIC FIGURATIVE ABSTRACTION

Dream Friends

1985

by Eric Whollem

mixed media on paper

21" x 15"

Collection of the artist

COPYRIGHT BY THE ARTIST

Concow Maidu Influences in Modern Abstraction

When I lived at Chichi Te, or Black Earth Village, up on the

Mooretown Ridge in Feather Falls, California, my dreams

were often filled with Indian cultural motifs. I would dream

of Indian dances with people in full regalia. I dreamed of

flying with a small she bear. I dreamed of caves filled with

pictographic paintings rendered in earth paints.

The culture of the Concow Maidu Indians, among whom I

had been living there on the old rancheria, is based on

Dream. In the old days, the KUKSU DREAM SOCIETY was

very active. This was the basis of religion, and of the social

order.

The painting, 'Dream Friends' is a pictorial representation

of the dream world in which I had become involved. In

the upper right hand corner of the painting is a window

through which I had experienced the sort of dream

phenomena mentioned above.

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Readers interestd in my posts on DREAMING should see:

http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/dreaming 

My posts about the MAIDU INDIANS can be accessed here:

http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/maidu%20indians

My FIGURATIVE ABSTRACTIONS can be found here:

http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/figurative%20abstraction

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A METAPHYSICAL FIGURATIVE ABSTRACTION/ 'Attendant of the Tripod' by Eric Whollem, 1988/ A pictographic rendition of the oracle of Delphi with her tripod/ FIGURATIVE EXPRESSIONISM

Attendant of the Tripod

1988

by Eric Whollem

mixed media on paper

17' X 11"

Collection of the artist

COPYRIGHT BY THE ARTIST

The Oracle of Delphi

The national oracle of Greece in ancient times was established at

Delphi. A priestess and her sacred tripod featured in the rites that

were enacted there. From the intoxicating fumes of a vulcan

spring, the prietess would go into trance and recite poetry which

would then be interpreted by a priest.

People would come from all across Greece to receive the oracle's

wisdom in order to guide their lives.

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See more of my FIGURATIVE ABSTRACTIONS on this link:

http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/figurative%20abstraction

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FIGURATIVE ABSTRACTION/ 'Watermoon' by Eric Whollem, 1986/ 'Notes on the West Coast School of Figurative Expressionism'/ My interactions with Elmer Bischoff, as my art instructor/ MIXED MEDIA ON PAPER

Watermoon

1986

by Eric Whollem

mixed media on paper

Collection of the artist

20 7/8" x 14 7/8"

COPYRIGHT BY THE ARTIST

Notes on the West Coast School of Figurative Expressionism

I studied art formally at U.C. Berkeley in the late 1960's and early

1970's. The late Elmer Bischoff, now relatively well known, was my

life drawing instructor. I often would take my paintings to him for

his comments. He was a very easy going man with a good sense of

humor. He often would draw very exaggerated figurative images

to amuse his classes.

U.C. Berkeley, the San Francisco Art Institute, and the California

College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland at that time were known as

the bastions of the West Coast School of Figurative Abstraction.

The figureheads of this movement were artists such as Diebenkorn

and Hans Hoffman, David Park, and, of course, Elmer Bischoff.

Although my works over the years generally bear little ressemblance

to the established masters of this tradition, my paintings have very

often been figurative abstractions.

The work, 'Watermoon,' seen here has certain affintities to Abstract

Expressionism, but is laced with pictographic forms based upon my

studies of Native American petroglyphs.

                                 Figurative Abstractions Video.

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Readers interested in reading more about the West Coast Figurative Expressionists should see:

http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Figurative_Expressionism

See more about ELMER BISCHOFF here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elmer_Bischoff

Figurative Expressionism Video                              

See more of my FIGURATIVE ABSTRACTIONS on this link:

http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/figurative%20abstraction

See my posts on EXPRESSIONISM:

http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/expressionism

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CONTEMPORARY ART/ 'Fugue on Manganese' by Eric Whollem/ A Pictographic Abstraction/ Mixed media on paper, incorporating earth pigments in polyvinyl resin

Fugue on Manganese

1979

by Eric Whollem

watercolor, gouache, earth pigments

and polyvinyl resin on paper

17 7/8" x 14"

Collection of the artist

COPYRIGHT BY THE ARTIST

An Abstraction From the 1970's

This is an early work of mine. It harmonizes geometric rhythms with

organic shapes. Bach's musical work, 'Die Kunst der Fugue,' has long

been one of my favorite classical pieces. I used to paint listening to

Bach, Hayden and Mozart frequently in the 1970's.

I also began listening to international ethnic music. Aboriginal

Australian djeridu, Zen sakahuchi, and Central Asian melodies all

contributed to my mood.

_________________

See more of my EARLY WORKS on this link:

http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/early%20works

Readers may also wish to peruse my posts of ABSTRACT ART:

http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/abstract%20art

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FIGURATIVE ABSTRACTION/ 'Village of the Coyote' by Eric Whollem, 1985/ A modern art depiction of traditional Native American Indian lore~Coyote Legends/ Notes on Concow Maidu Lore on Henokano, the Trickster Coyote/ CONTEMPORARY ABSTRACT ART

Village of the Coyote

1985

by Eric Whollem

mixed media on paper

15" x 21 1/4"

COPYRIGHT BY THE ARTIST

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE

Henokano

Coyote is called Henokano by the Concow Maidu Indians of

Butte County, California. Coyote, of course, is featured in the

legends of numerous Native American people.

According to the Maidu, Henokano was one of three archetypical

beings who floated on a raft in a great ocean at the beginning of

time. Turtle, or Ultrama, was there. Also Wonomi, or Earth

Initiate.

SHAMANISM AND COYOTE

Coyote is conceived of as a trickster. The Maidu stories tell us

that originally the stars were placed in an attractive pattern in

the sky~but Henokano scattered them in a disorderly manner.

Today at Little Bald Rock in Butte County, one can see Coyote's

wife. She is a large triangular shaped  granite boulder.

Coyote is also remembered in stone by the Concow Maidu. He

appears on Table Mountain above Oroville, California, laying next

to Lizard. Not far off is a large stone that is Wonomi, the Earth Initiate.

These stones are basaltic lava formations.

In some Native American views, the trickster energy is parcel of

the mindset of a shaman. A shaman is often a clown, creating

mock situations that ultimately lead to healing through humor.

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Readers may wish to view my posts that deal with NATIVE AMERICAN influences in my art on these links:

http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/indians

Those specifically seeking posts on the CONCOW MAIDU INDIANS should see:

http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/maidu%20indians

Others may want to see more of my ABSTRACT ART:

http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/abstract%20art

See more about MEDICINE ANIMALS here:

http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/medicine%20animals

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FIGURATIVE ABSTRACTION/ 'Intuitive Beings' by Eric Whollem/ A mixed media pictographic abstraction on paper

Intuitive Beings

1987

by Eric Whollem

gouache, parafin and metallic paint on paper

15 3/4" x 11 3/4"

Collection of the artist

COPYRIGHT BY THE ARTIST

A Pictographic Abstraction

The above painting incorporates elements from California

prehistoric rock art~specifically the circular forms with

dashes that run around the periphery. Such designs are

common in the rock art of the Chumash Indians of the

Santa Barbara area of Southern California.

One might observe that I have followed suit with the use

of form found in Abstract Expressionism, a movement

popular (that is to say among afficionados of abstract art)

in the late 1940's and 1950's.

Zen and Taoist Influences

A number of the Abstract Expressionists were influenced

by Zen calligraphy. Although this work in particular does

not bear any affinity to Zen art, I have studied the works

of Suzuki and other Zen masters. I always was impressed

by Huang Po and other Chinese Chan precursors of the

Japanese Zen. In Korea Zen is called Son Buddhism.

Chinese philosophy was a hobby of mine when I was in

college. I especially was influenced by Chuang Tzu, the

hermit nature philosopher. His teachings no doubt were

important catalysts to my immersion in nature over the

years. I have spent much of my life as a hermit in the

Sierra Nevada Mountains and foothills. . . in places such

as Palermo, Feather Falls, Swedes' Flat, and Concow.

This painting was painted in Swedes' Flat, an area in the

oak and gray pine studded foothills of Butte County. I lived

at an elevation of 1500 feet, just above the valley fog. I was

graced with views of hills and trees rising up out of an

ocean of fog in the winter. . . something archetypically

oriental.

________________

Readers interested in my FIGURATIVE ABSTRACTIONS should see this link:

http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/figurative%20abstraction

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CONTEMPORARY PAINTING/ 'The Spirit of Autumn' by Eric Whollem/ A figurative abstraction/ Mixed media on paper/ ABSTRACT ART

The Spirit of Autumn

2003

by Eric Whollem

mixed media on paper

6 7/8" x 9 7/8"

COPYRIGHT BY THE ARTIST

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE

An Allegory of Nature

My art over the years has drawn upon innumerable sources, but

the work above takes most of it's influence from the storehouse

of Imagination.

________________

Readers interested in my FIGURATIVE ABSTRACTIONS should view this link:

http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/figurative%20abstraction

Figurative abstraction video.                  

Also of interest may be my GEOMETRIC ABSTRACTIONS:

http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/geometric%20abstraction

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