THUNDER PRAYER/ A Shamanic Prayer For Rain/ Mixed Media Painting/ FIGURATIVE ABSTRACTION

                                 

                                          Thunder Prayer

                                          1984
                                          by Eric Whollem
                                          gouache and wax resist on paper
                                          Collection of the artist.
                                          9" x 6"
                                                  Copyright by the artist.

THE BLESSING OF RAIN

Thunder Prayer is a work created in a synthesis of Native
American pictographs and modern art. Shown is an Indian
shaman, or medicine man, praying for the end of drought.

THE ABORIGINAL TRIAD/ Expressionism in Art: Watercolor Painting/ NEOPRIMITIVISM

                                        

                                    

                                       The Aboriginal Triad

                                       1987

                                        by Eric Whollem

                                       gouache on paper

                                       Collection of the artist

                                       16 " x 11 7/8'

                                                                                          Copyright by the artist.

NEOPRIMITIVISM

This painting, "The Aboriginal Triad"  is an "Australoid"
fantasy. Painted with thick watercolor paint called gouache,
light colors over dark, it bears a measure of resemblance
to Aboriginal art.

ORPHIC NEOPHYTE/ Symbols of Initiation Into the Eleusinian Mysteries/ FIGURATIVE ABSTRACTION

   

              Orphic Neophyte

              1983

              by Eric Whollem

              earth paints, gouache and bronze powder in acrylic emulsion on paper

             Collection of the artist.

             17 7/8" x 14 1/8"

                 Copyright by the artist.

  

In the Abaton

The Abaton is the name given to the chamber of initiation in
the old cultures of the Mediterranean. It relates to terms
like the abyssos, or the sea. Much aquatic symbolism is
found in the Eleusinian Mysteries. Apollo, the Sun Fish,
was the chief hierophant. The neophyte was symbolically
taken into the abyssos in his descent into the Abaton,
which was also called the Pit.

MEXICO 1977/ A Visionary Fantasy of Mesoamerican Indian Life/ FIGURATIVE ABSTRACT PAINTING by Eric Whollem

                            

                             Mexico

                             1977

                             by Eric Whollem

                             mixed media on paper

                             Collection of the artist

                             15" x 20" 

                           Copyright by the artist.

The Artist's Trip to Mexico

This painting gives some highly stylized images of Mexico,
colored by the artist's imagination.

I had gone as far south as Guadalajara, but spent most of
my time near Mexico City, viewing the ruins of Teotihuacan
and also the famous Anthropology Museum.

____________________________

See my complete online image gallery of ABSTRACT ART:

https://picasaweb.google.com/earthpaint/AbstractArtByEricWhollem#

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE

SIRENS OF THE QUAY

a painting based on memories of

a trip to Mexico

by EricWhollem

BELOW IS A VIDEO THAT

PRESENTS PAINTINGS

BASED ON CONCOW MAIDU INDIAN

CULTURE

ERIC  WHOLLEM                               

*

Abstract art, mixed media painting, Mexico.

CERES/ Goddess Art: Mixed Media Painting Using Earth Paints/ FIGURATIVE ABSTRACT PAINTING by Eric Whollem/ Figurative abstraction

                                         

                                                   Ceres

                                                   1997
                                                   by Eric Whollem
                                                   earth pigments, acrylic emulsion and gouache on paper
                                                   Collection of the artist.
                                                         Copyright by the artist.

THE CLOUD GARDEN/ Visionary Impressionism

                                        

                                                   The Cloud Garden

                                                   1985
                                                   by Eric Whollem
                                                   watercolor and wax resist on paper
                                                   Collection of the artist.
                                                   6" x  9"
                                                      Copyright by the artist

A VISION OF THE CLOUDS
FLOATING OVER THE SEA

A few people have mentioned that this work reminds them a
bit of Monet's lily pool paintings. I have taken a different route
artistically than the Impressionists in that I have given a visionary
or surreal texture and colorization to the cloud masses in this
picture.

MAP OF ATLANTIS/ A Micronation Faux Postal Administration by Eric Whollem

MAP OF ATLANTIS

2004

by Eric Whollem

Copyright by the artist.

THE STAMPS OF ATLANTIS

ISSUES OF THE ATLANTEAN POSTAL UNION

In the days of yore, when the salt sea washed the

shores of magical Atlantis, mermaids were seen

delivering the mail. In these olden times thin strips
of blubber from the white narwhal were used to

protect the mails from the damp corrosion of

the tides.

Stamps from Atlantis.

The outposts of Atlantis were worldwide; and

many colonies were established in lands across

the globe.

It was in the Late Atlantean period that the

Atlantean Postal Union issued the stamps we

see here. The Union's headquarters were in

Alcyone, the city of the dove on the continent's

eastern shore.

Amongst the Atlanteans the monetary unit was

the Comb, one hundred of which equaled

a Mer.

The stamps of Atlantis have been preserved to

our time by the Mermaid Philatelic Society that

meets every 700 years in the Cave of the Masters.

This cave is now somewhere under the sea.

Atlantis stamps, part two.

Collectors will note that a variety of stamps from

Atlantis can be found. Different Atlantean princi-

palities have established Atlantean post offices

and issued stamps over the years. The Atlantean

Postal Union recognizes them all as valid for

postage by virtue of the treaties established between

various Atlantean Kings and Queens and their

respective domains.

Also the designation of "Mermail" can be found

on artist stamps created by other artists. I came

up with this label in 1999, before I had my first

computer. This is an example of separate minds

discovering the same idea independently of the

other. 

_________________

See more stamps from ATLANTIS on this link:

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

BELOW ARE SOME

SAMPLES OF MY

ATLANTEAN FAUX POSTAGE STAMPS

The Ships of Atlantis

(Copyright by the artist)

                                

See more VIDEOS of stamps and art:

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

*

Artist stamps, artistamps, cinderella stamps, fantasy stamps, faux postage, mail art, micronation stamps

by EricWhollem

SHIP OF ATLANTIS/ Faux Postage From the Atlantean Postal Union

"SHIP OF ATLANTIS"

2003

by Eric Whollem

A Set of Two Stamps

Editions of 100, plus ten artist's proofs each

Copyright by the artist

HONORING THE TEXTILE ART OF ATLANTIS

These stamps were issued to commemorate

10,000 years of Atlantean weaving.

Depicted is the dragon boat motif found

in the classical art of Atlantis.

*

Artist stamps, artistamps, cinderella stamps, fantasy stamps, faux postage, mail art, micronation stamps

by Eric Whollem

THE PYRAMIDS OF AZTLAN/ Atlantis/ Figurative Abstract Painting by Eric Whollem/ Mixed Media

   

                The Pyramids of Aztlan

                1983
                by Eric Whollem
                earth pigments, polyvinyl resin, wax medium and gouache on paper
                Collection of the artist.
                18' x 14"
                      Copyright by the artist

A PRIEST OF ATLANTIS

This mixed media painting depicts an Atlantean priest holding a
tablet with an image of the Goddess.

REMINISCENCES OF AZTLAN/ My Trip to Mexico 1977/ Pictographic Art/ ABSTRACT PAINTING/ Figurative Abstraction

           

           

                                            Reminiscences of Aztlan

                                            1977
                                            by Eric Whollem
                                            earth paints, casein and watercolor on paper
                                            Collection of the artist.
                                            14" x 10 7/8"
                                               Copyright by the artist

.

A SHAMAN OF TEOTIHUACAN

The antler crowned figure in the painting above is my fantasy rendition
of an Altantean shaman. The meandering blue form represents the
canals of Teotihuacan, which was an island city, now found near Mexico
City. Aztlan is the legendary island home of the Aztecs. Some say that
Aztlan was Atlantis.

VIKING VILLAGE/ A Pictographic Image: Earth Pigments and Watercolor/ FIGURATIVE ABSTRACT PAINTING

                                   

    

             

                                             Viking Village

                                             1977
                                             by Eric Whollem
                                             earth pigments, casein and watercolor on paper
                                             Collection of the artist.
                                             14" x 10 7/8"
                                               Copyright by the artist.                    Click on image to enlarge

A VIKING SETTLEMENT

This painting is a fantasy rendition of an old Viking village.
The Vikings were the aristocratic class of old Scandinavia.
They were worhsippers of Odin. The commoners often
were devotees of Thor, the popular god.

NOTHING UPON AWAKENING 1988/ Mixed Media Painting/ ABSTRACT ART

                              

    

                                       Nothing Upon Awakening

                                      1988
                                      by Eric Whollem
                                      mixed media on paper: wax resist and India ink with plastic
                                          emulsion crayons
                                      Collection of the artist.
                                      15" x 10"
                                         Copyright by the artist.

REFERENCES TO SCULPTURE

It was in 1988 that I began a large series of ceramic
sculptures. Many of my ceramic works have been posted
on this blog.

I admire the sculptor Henry Moore's subway drawings
from WWII. Nothing Upon Awakening is a tribute to
this British sculptor who has inspired generations.

THE RECLINING ONE/ Figurative Expressionism/ Mixed Media on Paper' ABSTRACT PAINTING

                                  

     

                                

                                        The Reclining One

                                        1986

                                        by Eric Whollem

                                        mixed media on paper

                                        Collection of the artist.

                                        8.5" x 11"

                                                Copyright by the artist.

BOLD COLOR AND FORM

The German expressionists from the 1930's left us
with an intruiguing legacy of figurative art. Kirchner,
one of their leading artists, is one of the great
creative spirits.

Abstract Expressionism in America began in the
midcentury. In this school of art, the figure largely
disappeared. Exceptions include the art of Gottlieb
and de Kooning. In de Kooning's approach the
treatment of the human figure became even less
naturalistic than the German Expressionists.

What is being expressed in "expressionism?"

Everything from existential anxiety to Zen
meditation. The wild calligraphy of Buddhist
artists from Asia is considered a prototype
for modern expressionistic art, which covers
the gamut of human feeling.

_________________________

See my posts about FIGURATIVE EXPRESSIONISM:

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

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE

 DANCING COLOR

mixed media on paper

by Eric Whollem

THE BASKET BEARERS/ Early Works of Eric Whollem: A Visionary Watercolor Painting

                      

          

                                                    The Basket Bearers

                                                    1974
                                                    by Eric Whollem
                                                    watercolor on paper
                                                    Collection of the artist
                                                    11 1/16" x 9 7/16"
                                                           Copyright by the artist.

The Celestial Farmer

This painting may well be a quintessential example of
whimsy. We see here a curious blend of technologies:
basket weaving and a mechanical contrivance of the
divine husbandsman.

AUTUMN FLOWERS/ Pictographic Abstraction/ Mixed Media/ FIGURATIVE ABSTRACT PAINTING

                             

                                     Autumn Flowers

                                    1984
                                    by Eric Whollem
                                    oil stick, gouache and wax resist on paper
                                    Collection of the artist.
                                    6" x 9"
                                         Copyright by the artist.

A Fairy of the Autumn Season

This mixed media painting gives a rendition of fairy iconography
with a contemporary flavor. Wax resist was one of my favored
approaches to art in the 1980's. Wax is a very stable medium
that gives wonderfully translucent color.

THE ALCHEMY OF INNER EARTH/ Rock Art of the Modoc Plateau North of Mt. Shasta

      

               The Alchemy of Inner Earth or The Seven Mountains

               1984

               by Eric Whollem

               gouache and wax resist on paper

               Collection of the artist.

               9" x 6"

                                                                                                     Copyright by the artist.

The Petroglyphs in the Desert North of Mt. Shasta

In the Petroglyph Section near Tule Lake just north of the Modoc
Lava Beds in California is the oldest rock art in the state. It has been
dated approximately at 10,000 years old.

THE MOUNTAINS OF AZTLAN/ Modoc Petroglyphs: I0,000 Year Old Inscriptions

                                 

                                     

                                        The Mountains of Aztlan

                                        1984

                                        by Eric Whollem

                                        gouache and wax medium on paper

                                        Collection of the artist.

                                                                                          Copyright by the artist.

Aztlan, the Isle of Atlantis

The Aztecs relate that they originated on an island named
Aztlan. Atlantis buffs long ago have conjectured that this
island was Atlantis.

Many Altantean theorists believe that Altantis is not so
much a lost continent as an era of earth's history. Those
who follow Plato's account of Atlantis posit that Atlantis
proper disappeared about 10,000 years ago, about the
time that the Indian rock art that inspired this painting was
engraved.

This painting is another in a series of my Modoc Rock Art
petroglyph studies.

_________________

See more posts on PICTOGRAPHS on this link:

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

Pictographs and petroglyphs video.                       

See more posts about ATLANTIS:
http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/atlantis

ALSO OF INTEREST MAY BE
THESE FANTASY STAMP
VIDEOS PRESENTING FAUX
POSTAGE STAMPS
FROM ATLANTIS

ERIC WHOLLEM                             

ERIC WHOLLEM                         


 

*

Abstract art, mixed media painting, Atlantis, rock art, petroglyphs.

WORM WORLD/ A Surrealistic Icon of the Realm of the Insect Gods/ A PICTOGRAPHIC ABSTRACTION BASED ON MY STUDIES OF CALIFORNIA NATIVE AMERICAN ROCK ART

                                            

                                                  Worm World                                                         Click on image to enlarge

                                                  1983
                                                  by Eric Whollem
                                                  watercolor and wax resist on dark green paper
                                                  Collection of the artist.
                                                  8.5" x 11"
                                                        Copyright by the artist.

Insect Spirit Guides in Native American Medicine

Dragonfly is a being that can travel interdimensionally. They can see what others
cannot see. They can travel from the material world into the astral plane.

PINK SUITE/ Geometric Abstraction/ Mixed Media With Earth Pigments/ ABSTRACT PAINTING

                                  

                                        Pink Suite

                                        1981
                                        by Eric Whollem
                                        earth paints, polyvinyl resin and gouache on paper
                                        Collection of Rusty Woods
                                                  Copyright by the artist

The Music of Geometry

If shapes could have sound, and sound could have color
we would know that geometry had succeeded as never before
and had become a work of art.

REFLECTIONS/ An Abstract Mixed Media Painting

                   

                      

                                         

                                              Reflections

                                              1981

                                              by Eric Whollem
                                              acrylic, watercolor, bronze powder, and earth pigments
                                                  in polyvinyl emulsion on paper
                                              Collection of the artist.
                                              4 7/8" x 4.5"
                                              Copyright by the artist.



GEOMETRIC ABSTRACTION

Wassily Kandinsky is considered the father of abstract painting. He was a
Theosophist and had been influenced by Leadbeater and Besant's book,
Thought Forms, which presented the idea that our thoughts manifest as
distinct geometric or organic shapes, characterized by colors which indicate
emotional tones.