"Urban Landscapes" Inspire Creativity

Void. That's the vibe this reporter gets from abstract art.

That changed a few weeks ago after experiencing abstract art through the eyes of the oil painter David Rich. He's exhibiting some of his abstract oil paintings in The Cypress College Art Gallery until April 6.

"Urban Landscapes," the current exhibition in the gallery, also features photography by Grant Mudford. His black and white images of urban views visually complement the oil paintings.

Ever wonder what it would feel like to listen to a famous painter such as Rembrandt talk intimately about his creative muses? Some of the college's art students and faculty don't have to wonder any more. They experienced it by hearing Rich's talk during his slide show on March 9 in the Fine Arts Building.

Rich's presentation was an up-front and personal visit with a painter who has an extraordinary gift of building intimacy with an audience.

While conversationally sharing slides of the works of artists who have creatively moved him, Rich was transparent and lucid in explaining his artistic process. One felt as if he or she was sitting in his workroom, rather than in a classroom.

After the slide show, several students expressed their feelings. A male student enthusiastically commented on the receding spaces and the three-dimensional aspects of Rich's works. The student says, when he looks at the paintings, he sees, "What it is and what it feels like."

A female student acted antsy when she said, "I'm inspired to go out and paint."

Rich says he would bill himself as artist-teacher. "I think that's what makes me useful to students--that I'm involved in the day-to-day work of art, but I'm committed to teaching too."

Paul Paiement, the college's Gallery Director, said the two activities, "feed off each other."

Rich elaborates, "Teaching and studio practice really complement themselves...some times people teach, because they're interested in that dialogue."

A Saint Paul, Minnesota resident, Rich has been a part of the faculty at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design since 1985.

Earning his income from teaching, visiting artist gigs, painting and grants, Rich says his artistic work is a, "Juggling act; isn't particularly easy...luckily I'm doing stuff that's really interesting."

As Paiement, a former student of Rich's at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, and he burn with the fire of their craft after the slide show, Paiement concludes, "How many people do you know who can't wait to go to work?"

Silence.

There's one word to describe the genius of David Rich. Evocative.

Rich said, "Painting can provoke trains of thought, imagination."

Rich's comment reflects what was conveyed in a conversation after the lecture. He, Paiement and Chris Carreiro, an art major, engated in a lively discussion about the gallery's exhibition.

Paiement says that the photographer mentioned, "I almost never get to show my work with painters."

Although Paiement says there are differences between both artists, they both have similarities of unidealized qualities...a king of pleasure.

Paiement: "Grant finds places, ugly, bricked over places. Bricks don't match."

Rich: "Almost tells a story."

Carreiro: "Train tells a story."

Art tells stories. Even abstract art tells stories. As a writer, with a new appreciation for abstract art, Rich's images not only "provoke trains of thought," but trains of books. I walked away from his images with stories running wild in my imagination.

I agree with the female student who said she was anxious to go out and paint after Rich's inspirational talk. Excuse me. I have to go out and write.

Contact David Rich online at davidrich2@hotmail.com