Sam Swihart | Candid

Candid

For this series of works, I have created original oil paintings based on my collection of found photography. I have culled these anonymous black and white snapshots from antique shops and translated them into full color paintings to promote their appeal. I chose many of these images based on their atypical content, humor or universal quality. For this Exhibition, I chose images of a more intimate nature that show certain ubiquitous qualities within the human experience. These images represent themes of flirtation, frivolity and libation.

I find many of these images, and their themes, are enhanced by the inherent humor of their origin in the past. It’s interesting to think about the past as being lively, as opposed to our tendency to enshrine it on pedestals of idealization that tend to omit the human quality of life. Although my reference materials have certain appeal in their own right, I find it further enhanced by their anonymous nature. Because these images were abandoned and are now devoid of all original context, I am able to assign new meaning to them as I give them life on canvas. By reevaluating the context, I add humor to these representations. — Sam Swihart

Sam Swihart | Candid

Watch Swihart discuss his current exhibition, Candid.

"Dalliance," oil on canvas, 18"x18," 2020, ($800)

"A Little Tipsy," oil on canvas, 24"x28," 2020, ($1000)

"Ritual," oil on canvas, 10x10, 2020, ($400)

"Where You Been?," oil on canvas, 11x14, 2020, ($600)

"Practice Makes Perfect," oil on canvas, 11x14, 2020 $600

"Innuendo II," oil on canvas, 10x10, 2020, $400

"Quipping," oil on canvas, 10x10, 2020, $400

"Red Handed," oil on canvas, 11"x14," 2020 $600

"Blue Ribbon," oil on canvas, 14"x20," 2020 $600

"Hey There," oil on canvas, 11"x14," 2020, $600

"Third Wheel," oil on canvas, 18"x18," 2020, $800

“Sweet Dreams,” oil on canvas, 24”x28,” 2020, $1000

“Unrequited,” oil on canvas, 22”x26,”2020, $1000

“Snockered,” oil on canvas, 18”x18,” 2020, $800

“Card Sharp,” oil on canvas, 11”x14,” 2020, $600

“Two to Tango,” oil on canvas, 11”x14,” 2020, $600

“Unwinding,” oil on canvas, 30”x40,” 2020, $1500

Sam Swihart

I received my MFA in painting from Colorado State University in 2016 and my BFA in drawing and painting from the University of North Texas in 2012. Throughout my college career, I explored traditional indirect painting methods and embraced a range of subject matter from hyper traditional subjects to introspection, conflict and the relationship between children and warfare. Following Graduate school, my professional work has focused on themes of beauty and the abject with an emphasis on our contemporary relationship to classical ideals as well as themes revolving around memory, humor and informality. Since 2017 I have been an Adjunct Professor for the Tarrant County College District in Fort Worth Texas, where I teach Painting I/II as well as Art Appreciation.

Throughout my work, I have utilized aspects of the traditional indirect painting method. Originally this technique comprised numerous layers of glazing and scumbling, inspired by the works and techniques of the Old Masters. However, in the last several years I have begun to simplify and contemporize the indirect method by intermixing more contemporary approaches to representational painting. My process begins by applying an under-painting in alla prima that is then blurred in order to create a soft base layer to build upon. This blurring of the underpainting creates an ambiguity that allows for greater control as the painting progresses through the creation of atmosphere and selective focus. This groundwork is then built upon through selective glazing, blending and scumbling to create the final desired effect and emphasis within the image.