FIGURATIVE EXPRESSIONISM/ 'Jewel Scurf' by Eric Whollem, 1985/ A visionary pictographic abstraction/ PREHISTORIC INFLUENCES OF THE CHUMASH

JEWEL SCURF

1985

by Eric Whollem

mixed media on paper

9" x 6"

COLLECTION OF THE ARTIST

Copyright by the artist

PREHISTORIC INFLUENCES OF THE CHUMASH

This painting is based on my studies of preshistoric rock art of

early California. The pictographic art of the Chumash Indians

is relfected in this work. The Chumash were the major tribal

group of the Santa Barbara area.

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See more of my posts on FIGURATIVE EXPRESSIONISM:

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

Whimsical Abstractions by Whollem video                       

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GODDESS OF THE ANCIENT FOREST/ A visionary figurative abstraction by Eric Whollem, 1985/ PICTOGRAPHIC GODDESS ART

GODDESS OF THE ANCIENT FOREST

by Eric Whollem

1985

mixed media on paper

COLLECTION OF THE ARTIST

Copyright by the artist

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See more of my posts about the GODDESS:

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

A video featuring Goddess Art by Eric Whollem                  

See more FIGURATIVE ABSTRACTIONS on this link:

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

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE

DANCING COLOR

by Eric Whollem

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GAIA/ Ceramic Goddess Sculpture by Eric Whollem/ Ash paint and glaze on high grog content white clay/ CONTEMPORARY CERAMIC SCULPTURE/ Notes on Ash Paints in Ceramics

GAIA

1990

by Eric Whollem

ash paint and glaze on white clay

14"

PRIVATE COLLECTION

Photo copyright by the artist

NOTES ON ASH PAINTS IN CERAMICS

Ash paint is the earliest known paint utilized in ceramics.

This no doubt developed in conjunction with the results of

firings which, of course, accompanied the production of

the vessels or sculptures being created.

In the piece above I used a bit of white glaze as a resist

for ash paint applied with polymer emulsion after firing.

The ash is wood ash, from the cast iron woodstove in my

studio.

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See more CERAMIC SCULPTURES by Eric Whollem:

http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/ceramic%20sculpture

Ceramic Sculpture Video.                                 

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AKI/ Figurative Abstraction by Eric Whollem, 1985/ Mixed media on paper/ Kuksu Cultural Elements

AKI

1985

by Eric Whollem

mixed media on paper

9" x 6"

COLLECTION OF THE ARTIST

Copyright by the artist

KUKSU CULTURAL ELEMENTS

This painting fancifully portrays the spirit of Aki, the duck.

Aki is a sacred bird of the Concow Maidu Indians. He is featured

in the ceremonies of the Kuksu Dream Society.

Koi, the goose, is the sacred bird of Hipiningkodom, the Valley of

Heaven.

A special dance for Aki is part of traditional culture of the Concow

Maidu Indians of Butte County, California.

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Read more about KUKSU on these posts:

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

See more of my FIGURATIVE ABSTRACTIONS:

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

Concow Maidu Lore in the Paintings of Eric Whollem            

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'EIGHT'/ A pictographic abstraction by Eric Whollem, 1984/ CONTEMPORARY ART

EIGHT

1984

by Eric Whollem

mixed media on paper

9" x 6"

PRIVATE COLLECTION

Copyright by the artist

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See more of my posts about paintings based on styles found in prehistoric ROCK ART on this link:

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

Pictographs Video by Eric Whollem.                      

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APHRODITE/ Figurative Abstraction by Eric Whollem/ MIXED MEDIA ON PAPER/ Contemporary Goddess Art

APHRODITE

1986

by Eric Whollem

mixed media on paper

9" x 6"

COLLECTION OF THE ARTIST

Copyright by the artist

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See more posts about the GODDESS:

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

View more of my FIGURATIVE ABSTRACTIONS:

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

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DREAM OF THE WHITE LIZARD/ Concow Maidu Legends/ THE ART OF ERIC WHOLLEM/ A mixed media painting, 1986/ CONTEMPORARY PICTOGRAPHIC FIGURATIVE EXPRESSIONISM

DREAM OF THE WHITE LIZARD

1986

by Eric Whollem

mixed media on paper

COLLECTION OF THE ARTIST

Copyright by the artist

THE CONCOW MAIDU LEGEND OF THE GREAT WHITE LIZARD

The Middle Fork Canyon of the Feather River in Butte County,

California is the legendary home of Usbuki, the Great White

Lizard. Concow Maidu warriors at their initiation are offered

the power of Usbuki.

Usbuki is said in old stories to have battled Henokano, the

coyote. Usbuki takes his energy from the moon. He is the

power of dreams.

He lives today in a cave behind the waters of Feather Falls.

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Readers interested in the MAIDU INDIANS should read some of my posts:

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

See more FIGURATIVE ABSTRACTIONS:

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

Concow Maidu Culture Video by Eric Whollem.   

See more of my posts about DREAMING:

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

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AUTUMN SUITE/ Abstract art by Eric Whollem, 1985/ Mixed media on paper/ CONTEMPORARY ART

AUTUMN SUITE

1985

by Eric Whollem

mixed media on paper

9" x 6"

COLLECTION OF CALVIN SANDBORN

Copyrihght by the artist

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See more of my ABSTRACT ART:

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

Whimsical Abstractions Video.                         

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Notes on Kandinsky and the Origins of Abstract Art/ 'AGGREGATION OF THE RAYS'/ Gestural Abstract Expressionism by Eric Whollem, 1985/ CONTEMPORARY PICTOGRAPHIC ABSTRACTION

AGGREGATION OF THE RAYS

1985

by Eric Whollem

mixed media on paper

9" x 6"

COLLECTION OF THE ARTIST

Copyright by the artist

THE RAYS

In metaphysical parlance, the 'rays' are reckoned as the general

proclivities of human beings, typified usually in color symbolism.

For example the Violet Ray is the ray of healers.

These terms originated in Theosophy, but are in general use today

among 'New Age' thinkers.

Theosophical literature was catalytic in the development of modern

art, having had as it's champion, Wassily Kandinsky, one of the

generally alleged founders of abstract art. He was a Theosophist

who was influenced by the book, 'Thought Forms' by Leadbeater

and Besant. This book had highly abstract color plates, which

demonstrated how geometric shapes and colors combined create

mental images to convey thought and emotion.

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See my posts on THEOSOPHICAL THOUGHT:

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

Read my posts on KANDINSKY:

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

See my articles on EXPRESSIONISM:

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

Whimsical Abstractions Video by Eric Whollem.                 

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BEAUTIFUL PARKLANDS/ A whimsical abstraction by Eric Whollem, 1986/ Concow Maidu Placenames/ MIXED MEDIA ON PAPER/ Modern Pictographic Art

BEAUTIFUL PARKLANDS

1986

by Eric Whollem

mixed media on paper

9" x 6"

COLLECTION OF THE ARTIST

Copyright by the artist

CONCOW MAIDU PLACENAMES

This painting, entitled 'Beautiful Parklands' was named thinking

of the Concow Maidu placename designation, 'Concow,' which

means 'beautiful parklands.' I used to live in Concow Valley in

the lower reaches of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in Butte County,

California.

I also lived at Black Earth Village, or Chi Chi Te, in the Feather

Falls area of Butte County. This was in association with a Maidu

family. Butte County is the traditional territory of the Concow

Maidu Indians.

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See more about the MAIDU INDIANS:

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

Concow Maidu Culture Video.                             

Readers may be interested in seeing more of my FIGURGATIVE ABSTRACTIONS:

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

Whimsical Abstractions Video.                               

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CONCOW MAIDU RELIGION/ 'Kakini' and 'Kuksu and the Lamb' by Eric Whollem/ Earth paints on panel/ COLLECTION OF HERB PUFFER

KUKSU AND THE LAMB

1981

by Eric Whollem

earth pigmnents, charcoal, acrylic emulsion on panel

COLLECTION OF HERB PUFFER

Copyright by the artist

KAKINI

1981

by Eric Whollem

earth pigments in acrylic emulsion on panel

8" x 10"

COLLECTION OF HERB PUFFER

Copyright by the artist

CONCOW MAIDU RELIGION

The Concow Maidu Indians of Butte County, California, have a

very esoteric religion; it is based on a secret society. This was

a new concept in early California, to have an organized religion

based on mystery.

Kuksu is the name of the first man and also is the designation of

the Concow Maidu religion.

The secret society is a dream lodge. Practioners go through initiation

into the world of the dream. Dreams are the basis of foreknowledge

and wisdom. The head shaman is called 'yeponi.'

Spirit beings are referred to as the 'kakinim' (plural) by the Maidu.

A 'kakini,' as fancifully depicted in the painting above, is my own artistic

rendering of such a spirit. I purposely utilized a cross form for the

kakini, as the Maidu today are predominantly Christian. 'Kuksu and the

Lamb' similarly utilizes the cross form to indicate the predominant

spiritual inclination of the modern Maidu, who despite the shamanic

dream religion of their ancestors, have assimilated the ethic of the

European migrants who superimposed ways of thinking on their

archetypical culture.

These paintings are ones purchased by Herb Puffer, from Pacific Western

Traders in  Folsom, California. Mr. Puffer is one of the leading

promoters of the arts among the Native American cultures of

California. He invited me to exhibit at his establishment in Folsom

back in the 1980's, after I had shown a painting in the Crocker

Art Museum in Sacramento; that painting was entitled, 'Dance of

the Kuksu.' It appears in the video below:

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See more posts about the MAIDU:

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

See more of my EARTH PAINTINGS:

http://artlblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/earth%20paints

Earth Paints Video.                               

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FORMS FROM THE NEW PLANET/ Mixed media painting by Eric Whollem, 1985/ FIGURATIVE PICTOGRAPHIC ABSTRACTION

FORMS FROM THE NEW PLANET

1985

by Eric Whollem

mixed media on paper

9" x 6"

PRIVATE COLLECTION

Copyright by the artist

______________________________

See more FIGURATIVE ABSTRACTIONS on this link:

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

            Figurative Abstractions Video.                       

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HOUSE OF THE CACTUS/ Earth paint, casein, & watercolor on paper/ A VISIONARY ABSTRACTION BY ERIC WHOLLEM

HOUSE OF THE CACTUS

1974

by Eric Whollem

earth pigments, casein, and watercolor on paper

10" x 10"

COLLECTION OF ANTONIO REYES

Copyright by the artist

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See more posts about my use of EARTH PAINTS:

http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/earth%20paints

Earth Painting Video by Eric Whollem.                               

See my posts about VISIONARY ART:

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

                     

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EARTH PAINTS/ 'Old Man of the Earth' by Eric Whollem, 1979/ Natural earth pigments on panel/ EARTH PAINTINGS BY ERIC WHOLLEM/ Contemporary Art

OLD MAN OF THE EARTH

1979

by Eric Whollem

earth pigments on panel

8" x 10"

COLLECTION OF LAURA PINE

Copyright by the artist

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See more posts of my EARTH PAINTINGS on this link:

http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/earth%20paintings

Earth Paintings Video.                                     

                                   

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NEW OLYNTHOS/ A pictographic abstraction delineating the constellations of space/ CONTEMPORARY ART BY ERIC WHOLLEM

NEW OLYNTHOS

1985

by Eric Whollem

mixed media on paper

9" x 6"

COLLECTION BETTY A. LOPEZ

Copyright by the artist

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See more ABSTRACT ART on these posts:

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

Pictographic Abstractions Video by Eric Whollem.                 

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PREHISTORIC CALIFORNIA ROCK ART~Inspiration for Modern Art/ 'Verdant' by Eric Whollem, 1984/ CONTEMPORARY PICTOGRAPHIC ABSTRACTION

VERDANT

1984

by Eric Whollem

mixed media on paper

9" x 6"

COLLECTION OF SUE SHERIDAN

Copyright by the artist

PREHISTORIC CALIFORNIA ROCK ART

Inspiration for Modern Art

The Native Americans of early California left us with a heritage

of a vast array of abstract art images engraved on the bedrock

of the state.

The painting above, 'Verdant,' exemplifies the geometric style

found througout the Sierra Nevada Mountains. 'Verdant,' like

most of my rock art inspired works is not a copy of an ancient

work, but an original composition based on an old style, which

appears quite modern.

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See more PICTOGRAPHIC ABSTRACTIONS on these posts:

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

                                                                                                                                        

Pictographic Abstractions Video.

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'FAIRYLAND Faux Postage Stamps'/ A fantasy stamp video by Eric Whollem/ VIRTUAL STAMPS FROM A FAIRY MICRONATION/ Cinderella Stamps by Eric Whollem

Meggie Fay

FAIRYLAND POST OFFICE

2011

by  Eric Whollem

a virtual stamp

Copyright by the artist

Fairyland Faux Postage Stamps Video

VIRTUAL STAMPS FROM A FAIRY MICRONATION

This edition of stamps from Fairyland consists of some 'virtual'

stamps, or stamps that exist only as computer file.

Meggie Fay and The Fairy Fly are the names of the two stamps

seen in my recent stamp video.

The 'Pix' is the monetary unit of Fairyland. Both of these stamps

are denominated at eleven Pix. The stamps are ostenisibly

printed by the 'Cinderella Printing House, Ltd.' which is an

imaginary printing company for these imaginary stamps.

The Fairy Fly

FAIRYLAND POST OFFICE

2011

by Eric Whollem

a virtual stamp

Copyright by the artist

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See more STAMP VIDEOS on this link:

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

BELOW IS ANOTHER

FAIRYLAND

STAMP

VIDEO

ERIC WHOLLEM                                          

These posts present more stamps from FAIRYLAND:

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

Meggie Fay Stamp Sheet

FAIRYLAND POST OFFICE

2011

by Eric Whollem

virtual stamps

Copyright by the artist

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