Portfolio of Works

Preface

The towers in these paintings represent the beginning of man on earth and the footprint of all Mankind. They are the Monoliths, Markers in time that are indestructible as Humans continue on their never ending quest to destroy each other.

War on this planet goes back as far as history recounts itself. I have personally lived my entire life with war in history books and on television and I see no end in sight. Who knows how many future Genius level Writers, Poets, Artists and Musicians have had their lives ended by war. 

I offer these paintings in homage of not only war but also the beauty of nature in it's Sunrises and Sunsets. With every sunrise each one of us has an opportunity  to change. To start anew and leave the past behind us. To learn from our mistakes and build a world for future generations to be proud of and live in peace together.

I wonder, is such a thing possible?

Allen Rodgers 

Forward

United by a common theme - images of the natural world impacted by intrusions of humanity - this series by Allen Rodgers is a study in contrasts: of the timeless and traditional vs. the contemporary, of the natural vs. the man-made world, of proximity vs. distance, of despair vs. hope, of the universal archetypes of light vs. dark and good and evil.  There are worlds contained in each work, a world that compels close scrutiny and a world that commands a broader perspective. The artist invites you to explore his world of careful observation, consideration and emotional response to the world we live in.

Rodgers employs a solid grounding in traditional landscape: decades of works in realism, plein-air painting, impressionism and abstraction make up his multifaceted vocabulary. Elements of each are effortlessly blended in this series, presenting a depth and density of content that is timeless and contemporary at once.

Energy and emotion are incorporated into the brushwork, making it informative to view the images closely. The effect of viewing the image at a distance results in a surprising metamorphosis , compelling a shift in comprehension  of the scope and complexity of the image. There are images where the emotion (the source of the light) is more muted, placed deeper in the background: the conflict or the dawn is farther away. In others the energy is closer. Across the series there is a broad spectrum of thematic elements communicated through the visual spectrum of color, contrast and perspective.

These mind - scapes capture a contemplative world, offering multiple yin/yang dualities to consider. A richness of beauty and intellectual engagement awaits and rewards the perceptive viewer.

Fred Purdy - Private Collector