Monday, December 15, 2008


Piece Making, 2008
46"x48", oil on canvas

The Burden, 2007
12"x13", oil on canvas


Open Circus
, 2007
36"x36", oil on canvas

Tuesday, December 2, 2008


Nobody Puts Baby In the Corner
, 2007
48"x60", oil on canvas

Wednesday, November 26, 2008




untitled, 2008
42"x58", oil on canvas

The Gift, 2008
32"x46", oil on canvas

Friday, October 31, 2008







Two visiting artists discuss their work in a dual exhibition

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Two visiting artists discuss their work in a dual exhibition

Lauren Scott discusses her compositions.

Two visiting artists discuss their work in a dual exhibition

Tom Walton talks about his portraits.

Two visiting artists discuss their work in a dual exhibition

Paintings by Walton and Scott side by side

Students attended an artist talk and gallery opening by two young figurative painters on Friday evening. The surreal, boldly colored and loosely painted dreamscapes of Lauren Scott hung opposite to the more muted and realistic portraits of Tom Walton. Warner Gallery director and photography teacher Jen O’Neill explained that she had been struck by both the similarities and the contrasts between the two painters, and had been inspired to do a dual show so that each body of work would enhance and highlight aspects of the other.

The artists were equally intrigued by the juxtaposition, and commented on one another’s work. Viewers noticed that both painters experimented with bending space in their work, although Scott's distortions were more pronounced, and that both used uncommonly vibrant colors, though to different effect. Scott's crowded, hectic compositions were further activated by the stillness and silence of Walton’s portraits, which were rendered more statuesque and peaceful in turn.

The painters also discussed their different processes. Scott explained that she draws her imagery from mixed sources: from posed models to photographs, and arranges them into compositions according to her particular vision. “When I pick my imagery I want to induct the viewer into the scene. What I like about these paintings is that the scenes are so complicated that the viewer doesn’t know where to look first. I like that they raise questions about what’s going on in the space that you can’t necessarily answer” Walton has a much more personal mode of working, only painting people with whom he is intimate. He cited Lucien Freud, another artist who paints intimate acquaintances, as a major influence.

Both artists had advice for the students. “If you’re going to choose art you’ve got to do it because you love it,” said Walton. “If I was only interested in money, I would have chosen something else. I want to do what I love, but what I love is not always saleable.” Scott stressed the importance of being free to experiment and explore. “As an artist, it’s important to know that it’s OK to make work that is not great. You make it, you learn from it and you make something better because of it.”



Migration, 2006
24"x36", oil on canvas

Friday, September 26, 2008


Pam, 2008
48"x48", oil on canvas