Rear View Images

Following are Rear View Mirrors, insight into hindsight and social commentary. These are available as giclee prints mounted into auto side mirrors displayed on a plexiglass frame with blue tint mirrors as background and sold for $250 each, size is 11"x14" plus mirror depth protruding from the frame. Image must be viewed from the side.! Enjoy.

Mounted Mirror Image

Transmutations in Time



Close Encounters

Will Work

Closer than you Think

Human Rights

Devouring its children

In Sight
Next Years' Harvest

On Notice

Open Road

P.E.A.C.E.

The Unwanted

Line Series

Experiments in simplicity of line, utilizing a meditative approach to monotypes. Keep it simple and add enough variation to keep it interesting. Used water base oil paint on glass and a single edge razor blade for effects. Enjoy.

LINE SERIES NO. 16

LINE SERIES NO. 1

LINE SERIES NO. 2

LINE SERIES NO. 3

LINE SERIES NO.4

LINE SERIES NO. 5

LINE SERIES NO. 6

LINE SERIES NO. 7

LINE SERIES NO. 8

LINE SERIES NO. 9

LINE SERIES NO. 10

LINE SERIES NO. 11

LINE SERIES NO. 12

LINE SERIES NO. 13

LINE SERIES NO. 14

LINE SERIES NO. 15

DECLARATION OF PEACE

Eight Score years ago our sisters brought forth a Declaration of Sentiments that began to loosen the chains of tyranny against women of all races. And now, we are engaged in a great civil battle where our inalienable rights have been eroded from within, testing whether this great nation or any nation so conceived in liberty and justice can long endure. We have failed to bring peace on a battlefield thousands of miles away that threatens our very resources and has bankrupted our economy putting the burden of debt upon our children’s children. Now is the time to change the course of history and to stand against the tyranny that has destroyed our personal freedoms. Now is the time to stand against the tyranny that robs our youth to wage battles of little consequence. Now is the time to turn our focus and our resources not on war but on building a future of peace for all mankind. A time foretold by the prophets of old and is here now. A time to turn the swords of injustice into plowshares is upon us. Now is the time to work for peace and transform our army from a killing machine into the human hands of loving kindness that can secure our future and the future of our children. Let us protect the innocent, empower the weak, assist the needy, celebrate diversity and enrich our environment, for now is the time for peace. A time testing whether this nation or any nation so dedicated can long endure. May peace be the guiding light that leads this great nation out of the blindness of tyranny.

Let not the lives of our soldiers die in vain but let us now learn and move forward in our struggle for world peace and step down from our place of domination and stand with all our brothers and sisters from every nation as we dedicate our resources to a world in peace and diversity. Let us go where we have not gone before and give the world the inalienable right to live in peace that from this basis all rights are derived and realized. Let us go forward in peace and put down our weapons of mass destruction. Let us go forward in peace and put down our weapons of mass destruction. Let us go forward in peace and feed the hungry. Let us go forth in peace and educate the youth of today to build a greater future for tomorrow. Let us go forward in peace and provide self sufficiency to our poorer brothers and sisters. Let us go forward in peace and celebrate the diversity of cultures and put an end to senseless genocide. Let us go forth in peace and build a better earth for all our children to enjoy. Let us triumph and go forth in peace.

Reif Erickson

Been working on my Mondrian Series and have developed a way of encoding names and phrases. You could commission one of your favorite mottos, Company Name or your own name and have it represented as a 2-d work of art. Here'e my first two I've done so far.

"Reif Erickson" Acrylic on Canvas 24"x30"

"Oprah Winfrey" Acrylic on Canvas 24"x30"

This is an on-site painting of the interior of a law office of Thomas M Marovich in Sonora which I did in the "Paint-In" at the Vault Gallery early in March. Maybe you could have me do an interior of your office as a special commission!

The following are some more demos from my classes

Ascention 9 1/4 x 12 1/4 pastel

Beach at Pierce Point 9 1/4 x 12 1/4 pastel Point Reyes, CA

Looking at Pierce Point 9 1/4 x 12 1/4 pastel Point Reyes, CA

Pacific Grove 9 1/4 x 12/1/4 pastel

Minimal Expansionism

MINIMAL EXPANSIONISM

NEW WORKS
By Reif Erickson

Out of tradition into abstraction, traditional painter and landscape artist Reif Erickson has made bold moves into uncharted territory he refers to as “Minimal Expansionism.” Inspired by the work and simplicity of Mondrian, who coincidently was also a landscape artist, Erickson begins with an unorthodox mathematical framework into which his abstractions emerge. Using sequences of numbers Reif refers to as “integral sets of non repeating intervals, which is ever expanding at less than 2 to the nth power." Basically the numbers on the first row represent the measure of space between the lines, and the measure of adjacent spaces are not repeated in the design.

Erickson, inspired by Mondrian, superimposes bold colors within “non-adjacent spaces” to break up and simplify the underlying expansive field. Imposed on this grid like network are adornments to the connecting points which deviate from Mondrian. Unique in Erickson’s approach is his use of mathematics and approach to the spacing of the lines in the grid. For example, Erickson states, “The simplest solution set would be x=2n which would evolve into the sequence of 64, 16,4,1,2,8,32, where the adjacent intervals are illustrated as

64 16 4 1 2 8 32

80 20 5 3 10 40

84 21 7 11 42

85 23 15 43

87 31 47

95 63

127

Here, the central intervals (1, 3, 7, 15, 31, 63, 127) are 2 to the nth power -1.

A more closely spaced sequence is:

16 10 4 1 2 6 18 11 28

26 14 5 3 8 24 29 39

30 15 7 9 26 35 59

31 17 13 27 37 63

33 23 31 38 65

39 41 42 66

57 52 70

68 80

96

Erickson says his original objective was “to develop a grid based on variation of shapes” and therefore chose a more formulated approach to interval spacing. The development of the grid remains subjective to the artist as well as the coloring of the rectangles. The enhancement of the connection points evolved later in his work as a means to expand the grid beyond the boundaries of the canvas, as well as angling the grid within the canvas. Thus, Erickson refers to his painting as “Expansionist.” The minimalist approach refers to the adornments and coloration of the grid itself creating a flatness of the field upon which the viewer may experience the expansion of space. Simplicity contained within complexity is Erickson’s means of holding attention. Deviating from Mondrian’s adherence to strictly vertical and horizontal lines Erickson feels his “non-vertical lines adds more to the underlying dynamics of growth while maintaining perpendiculars adds to stability and strength.”

Erickson foresees his work developing into 3-dimensions where he envisions his work as grids used in architectural elements, and stair rails, and even cylindrical patterns. His next adventure in the experience of these forms will be the cutting out of the white spaces to make room for a visual window or mirror to see the ever changing world. “To view simplicity as the overlay unto the complexity of growth in a world inundated with information expanding exponentially!” Reif’s earliest experiments with grids were originally oversimplified and static and were made more complex by superimposing the mirror image of the grid on top of itself as in 2(31x40) and ultimately the double mirror image of two grid patterns in 4(31x45). “In the creative process one must be willing to risk destroying the original concept to arrive at a solution that maintains interest and harmony.”

All this work is a result of recent efforts put into “New Works” a collective exhibition scheduled for 2009 by the artists in residence at the Arts Building, Auburn, CA. For more info on the upcoming series of exhibitions call 530-885-2787.

Thanks for having an interest,

Keep in touch

reif@reif.com

Creative Cycle part III

Well I sent out an email to my people and included the wrong link to this blog so updating it
and will get out a corrected email through Constant Contact.com If you are reading this and want to be on my email list for show announcements and other images send an email to reif@reif.com
PS The fence yesterday blew down and broke off an outdoor faucet that was running into the street for half a day before we noticed the water pressure was down in the house. Was a wet job capping off the pvc pipe but all is well, again. Stay warm and dry. Reif

CREATIVE CYCLE

part III

This leads me to the fourth Aspect: Detachment.

In nature, Winter is the time where all the growth takes place unseen under the earth in the roots.

In my art, color is put down and worked with until nothing further can be done with that color, in that moment a release comes, the detached moment when my mind goes from the small detail back to the larger pattern of values. I become the observer of myself.

And so is Life. Detachment is the place where I become the true observer of my life and thoughts. This can be symbolized by holding onto life with an open hand, and not a closed fist of greed, desire, and want. Detachment to me is a sacred place and the place of real beginnings. This is the place of quiet reflection, and listening deeply to the inner self.

Being stuck in Detachment is living life without the “ah-ha s” with no inspiration at all. An unwillingness to look at the deeper self of who you are, this is an old habit of mine. This can be a lonely and depressed place. But, I have learned to keep moving at a slower pace, to cut myself some slack. Cycles will eventually change if I keep moving. There is also another secret that propels me forward. An Attitude of Gratitude.

I am constantly avoiding the polarities of thinking in black and white, right and wrong, to do or not to do, but learning the art of having an open mind as the Buddhists would teach. I avoid the anxiousness and anxiety of the day as much as possible, and practice forgiveness of myself for being human, and forgiveness of others for being themselves, and I try not to take things personally. It’s not easy, but I know I can get stuck when I think in polarities of me vs. them, or right vs. wrong. I consciously love myself with my flaws and move on into the moment. Gratitude circumvents the inner critic. It leads to acceptance of self with all my limitations, knowing I don’t have to do it all myself. It’s a place of trust in something bigger than myself.

I also remind myself to listen to my thoughts as they surface and to modify the undesirable thoughts. I mean, I add something to the thought that will change the meaning. I might say to my self: “I should have said something.” To me changed to “ I look forward to an appropriate time to speak my truth.” Or I might say, “I really screwed that up” and change it to “I am thankful I am human and can make mistakes.” Or, I might realize “I was driving to fast and close today” and modify it to “I look forward to being able to cruise more relaxed.” And so detachment is the ultimate clearing of one’s mind of business or busy-ness.

In creating a life, the key is to prepare myself by releasing the grip on life as it is,… of what others think,… of labels that Ego places on our actions as good or bad, …and to know each moment in gratitude …in thankfulness…. and joy and peace.
I also get stuck in Detachment is the inability to let go of things. I collect a lot of stuff, and throw very little away. To flow with the creative cycle of change I know I have to let go more often, and that does not come easy for me.

And then the cycle repeats itself, out of the openness of mind a new inspiration comes unexpectedly, and in that moment I choose to listen or not listen. It usually does not come with a loud voice for I must learn to listen in stillness and to follow the dream. It takes practice, but it IS the natural order of things.

I want to tell you a story of a Zen student who was having a hard time meditating. He continually saw a red dragon and a white dragon fiercely battling within his mind. So he went and asked his master, “Whenever I try meditating, I see two great dragons locked in combat, and I get anxious as to who will win.” The master’s reply, “The winner will be the one you feed.”

We are all creative and are responsible not for our past or the future, but only for this very moment – the eternal now. What are you creating? … What dragon are you feeding? …. I want to leave you with a challenge. I want you challenge you to Dream big, and be willing, and committed to fill the shoes to walk that dream.

Thanks for your interest and support

Blustering weather here in Auburn, blew down part of my fence, and 4 of my students cancelled class because of the weather, some without electricity. Here's part two to the creative cycle.

CREATIVE CYCLE

part II

Fear short circuits choices, and keeps me stuck in Assimilation. In life, this is where I get stuck the most. Making up my mind and making a decision. Getting started is 80% of the work for me. That’s the trouble with being somewhat of a perfectionist or having to always do it right, or not at all. Perfectionism gets in the way when it is applied to everything…. What helps here is the level of commitment to the vision. What if the source of our original inspiration lies in something greater than ourselves – in the interconnectedness of all living things. What if my inspiration was not my thought but belonged to the universe? Would not the whole universe then support me in bringing it into being. Sometimes, knowing the source of the inspiration can deepen the commitment that moves me forward through the refinement process of Assimilation and choices.

Some other helpful hints are to realize that inspiration is a gift that needs to be nurtured. Put action, however small, into a time slot or routine, and keep moving forward, even if it is slow. Keep the vision alive.


The Third Aspect is Expression in the external world Putting action to your thoughts.

In Nature, Summer fades and the harvest is gathered as the air becomes crisp, and autumn colors celebrate labors of long days now gone.

In Art, having mastered the techniques of painting in pastel, I can enjoy actually watching myself paint. But that is the exception and not the rule. Usually there always remains a challenge to be worked out in the doing of it. Life is like this, too.

How something is done is just as important as the doing of it. In life, there comes the development of skills and practice that takes time before competence is realized. It is the level of commitment that continues to propel me forward through difficulties in Expression, and why clarity of vision is so important. Expression may be as simple as the courage to ask a question, or state a truth against opposition. Be patient. One may have to grow to fit the shoes to walk the dream.


For me, I get stuck in Expression because I get hyper-focused and cannot stop until the job is done. Sometimes I develop such an intensity on doing something that any distraction or interruption has a big emotional discharge to go with it. Sometimes in my initial excitement I rush to get it done and run out of steam before the task is completed. I get bored and am off doing something else, ending up with a lot of half completed jobs. Being stuck in Expression is an inability to take a break. Like the stubbornness of trying to push water upstream. There is a loss of flow. So, I am learning to take more breaks, and to take a slower pace in tackling goals, to keep the commitment clear, and to stay in the flow and balance.

This leads me to the fourth Aspect: Detachment.

conclusion on Sunday,

thanks

reif

Creative Cycle

Last Sunday I gave a sermon at my congregation on the Creative Cycle and how it relates to life on the whole and not just about creating art. I thought I'd include it here in three parts, It was well recieved on Sunday and even got an unauthorized applause! It was nice to speak on something that so many people responded to, so here goes, Part 1

THE CREATIVE CYCLE

The creative cycle I’m going to share with you today began 25 years ago with an interest in the creative process while studying art and has evolved to a four step model which I’ve been working with for 12 years. This creative cycle is in my art, in Nature, as the four seasons, and in creating my life. I’m not talking about the craft of painting but rather how the creative process applies to me in my thinking and doing. I will talk about getting stuck on the creative cycle and what that is like, and some helpful hints on keeping the flow moving.

The main thing to be achieved in the creative cycle is balance and flow, the ability to move through the 4 aspects without getting stuck, and to stay long enough in each one to learn what the lesson is to be learned. Balance and Flow.


The first Aspect of the Creative Cycle is Inspiration

In Nature, Winter snows melt and water flows in abundance and Spring bursts forth upon us in blossoms of magnificent color.
In my Art, I paint landscapes and it starts with the Ah-ha, the point of inspiration, an emotion or excitement. I love this part: trying to convey something greater than what can be seen with our eyes, … this is the joy of painting for me…. It usually lies in the play of light and shadow, or the sound of water, or the rhythms of warm and cool color.

And Life is like this too: there are moments of unexpected inspiration and “ah-has” of an idea that becomes clear, a truth not realized before, or something that needs to be done, a simple change.
It’s all inspiration.

Being stuck in Inspiration, is not being able to move forward into choices. It’s inspiration after inspiration without the commitment to the dream, an exciting place of continual entertainment without personal connection and commitment. Ideas of things outside myself rather than the deeper dream of who am I and what is my purpose, my dream. Inspiration is a gift that needs to be nurtured, pay attention and allow it to grow. Renew your commitment to Life and your Life. It is personal commitment to the vision that propels us forward into the second Aspect: Assimilation and choices.

In Nature Spring moves into the abundance and growth of the long days of Summer’s sun.

In Art I was taught, “that the clearer the image is from the beginning the better the result.” Now this is not a painting lecture. The point is the importance of clarity of vision, as the inspiration unfolds. This is important, the clearer the image is from the beginning the better the result, because deeper is the commitment.

I want to go into this more: How to develop clarity. It is so important in the creative cycle. First, energy is all around us. Even color does not exist out there, only light. On the subatomic level it is more empty space and energy than it is substance. Second, thought is a pattern of energy. Third, energy cannot be destroyed, but it can be transformed. So, through visualization, by putting the thought into emotions and senses of sight, sound, touch, and even smell we transform that pattern of energy into something larger and more physical…. Our living bodies become generators of this energy pattern, so the greater physical universe begins to align its energy field around us in the same frequency and pattern. Some people call this the Law of Attraction. By changing thoughts into sensations I am more apt to recognize opportunity that may already exist. Reality changes with the way I think.
In Life this is how it works: Once, I was focusing on how to experience more joy in my life, and imagining what it felt like to laugh, and right away Nancy speaks up and says something that just made me smile. Later at lunch, she suggested having a chocolate milk shake, which I definitely agreed to treat myself. After all, it is chocolate. And she asks, is that not adding more joy to your life?

I cannot hide my thoughts and my emotions; they are continuously evidenced in my life, without question. They are the conscious and unconscious forces that drive me forward in my life…. But I can be responsible for my choices and how I choose to think I can change my thinking habits that keep me stuck in my reality.

Been enjoying the holidays, hope yours have gone well. Finished up two Mondrian type triangel pieces. Hope to get some pictures to you soon. For now here are a few more teaching demos.

Twilight Approaches in the Sierras 9 1/4" x 12 1/4"

"Cyprus Point IV" Oregon 9 1/4" x 12 1/4"

"Headwaters of the Merced" Yosemite NP 9 1/4" x 12 1/4"

"Autumn Color III" 9 1/4" x 12 1/4"

"Hetch Hetchy II" 9 1/4" x 12 1/4"