![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.artloversnewyork.com\/zine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/Joe-Bradley-DUTCH.jpg\" "\\"Joe-Bradley---DUTCH\\"")
<\/a>\nJOE BRADLEY, ‘Dutch’. 2013.
\noil on canvas, 105 x 150 in. framed.<\/p>\n
the paintings in the following rooms, were less all-over dense ‘mind sets’ or ‘heartbeats’, than actual ‘metaphorical’ or ‘evolutionary’ depictions of . . things, and thoughts. it’s up to you, to connect the . . . passages.<\/p>\n
these paintings were more lyrical, and more . . . narrative. the action, took place outside the body, and out . . in the world. there was a lot to look at, and a lot to . . . consider. the colors were . . unpredictable, and .. ‘talkative’. whatever . . you were: ENGAGED into the surface. into the process. into the artist’s thoughts. was it a guy thing ? it was also a ‘quilt’ thing. and therefore . . women’s work !! haha. the show got it’s name from this painting, which also is the one painting which seemed, ‘human-centric’. the body\/figure on the left.<\/p>\n Lotus ‘beating’, and Lotus ‘eating’ . . do some of the research for yourself !! it’s funny to consider that, a such sweet flower . . in a pond, can be so capable of . . rockin’ the boat. <\/p>\n background: Lotus-eaters<\/a><\/p>\n it’s interesting to note that many of the paintings in this show, seem to begin with, and retain: a surface composition that is divided into ‘quarters’. in fact many of them do have a dominating ‘quarter’ – that remains as a ‘focal’ point . . . see: ‘Love Boat’ above. sometimes the surface of the Bradley painting is broken down a bit further, into a slightly smaller system . . say: sixths. as in ‘Dutch’ above. like a quilt, these divisions are grid-like. they retain an up-right orientation. the paintings are not quite as all-over ‘messy’, as in old school abstract expressionists, Jackson Pollack or Mark Rothko – as they might appear to be – on first glance.<\/p>\n and in fact, VERY much like, or HOW … this botanical flower illustration is divided into ‘organic’ and compositional . . quarters\/sixths. look for the squares. if you are not quite an experienced artist, just look for the ‘squares’ – they are there, unspoken, but ‘ruling’ the plant’s separate element \/ boundaries . . . in the background. ‘realist’ botanical flower painting vs. Joe Bradley ‘abstraction’ . . . quelle \/ interesting.<\/a>
\nJOE BRADLEY, ‘Smoothie Maypole’, 2013.
\noil on canvas, 96 x 102-1\/4 in. framed.<\/p>\n
\na lot to figure .. out.<\/p>\n<\/a>
\ndetail, JOE BRADLEY, ‘Smoothie Maypole’.<\/p>\n
\nthere was a lot to consider, a lot to figure out. a lot of feelings . . . and mind ‘grabs’, without ‘words’. <\/p>\n<\/a>
\nJOE BRADLEY , ‘Smoothie Maypole.’
\nit was kind of a super smart game of: what you see . . .
\nis what . . . you ‘behold’.<\/p>\n
\nand all, most definite: NON-DIGITAL. <\/p>\n<\/a>
\nJOE BRADLEY, ‘Love Boat’, 2013.
\noil on canvas, 124 x 158 in. framed<\/p>\n
\nor just a ‘tough’ thing ?
\nI thought it was pretty beyond ‘pure’ academic, and very . . emotional.<\/p>\n
\nlook at the ‘grid’, it’s a ‘quilt’ – that’s . . . the under-lying organization. <\/p>\n<\/a>
\nJOE BRADLEY, ‘Lotus Beater’, 2013.
\noil on canvas, 105 x 150 in. framed.<\/p>\n
\nprofound, mystical, and . . mysterious.
\nthere is no one definitive .. in sight, it’s a relevant yin yang, even today . . .
\nwell, you don’t want to walk your lifetime on earth submerged in the mud, in the banal. but you also don’t want to lose grip of ‘real’ life going by, with your head totally . . in the flowers\/clouds.<\/p>\n<\/a>
\nIMAGE: Nymphaea Lotus<\/a><\/p>\n
\n‘Lotus Beater’ also has a quadrant ‘organization’.
\n‘Smoothie Maypole’ – is a classic ‘9 patch’ \/ a grid of 3 by 3. 3 down, 3 across. 3 wide.
\nthis botanical illustration, is also, in fact . . a classic nine patch – in organization.<\/p>\n
\nesp take note of the the top right hand ‘quarter’, the single white flower in bloom. that’s obvious.<\/p>\n
\nso contradictory. and, yet .. NOT.<\/p>\n