The Abstract Art of John L. Payne: Bi-Polar Disorder

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Bi-Polar Disorder

Here is another painting from the mental illness series. This one is a study of what used to be called "manic-depression". You can clearly see the merger of brightness into darkness here and the many images (Critters) in the background can represent fleeting thoughts or mental imagery. The brain is a mysterious organ and its workings difficult to understand. I certainly do not claim this understanding but here is an attempt to visually represent some of its workings. I will say that the process of defining the various critters in the background was very cathartic.

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Artist Bio

Born in Oklahoma, John Payne began drawing and painting at the age of six. Though educated and involved in the arts well into college, his life and career path drastically changed when he enlisted into the United States Nuclear Navy at the age of 21. As a submariner, chemist and nuclear plant operator, safety became an integral part of his daily life. After leaving the Navy he followed a similar path working in radiation/chemical safety and ultimately as an Environmental Health and Safety Manager for over 20 years before returning full time to his passion as an artist. John is motivated by the works of the mid-century expressionists and current abstract artists alike. While some of John's work is pure expressionism, many of his pieces are more ordered in their chaos. This effort to control the abstraction with a sense of “boundaries” is reminiscent, states the artist, of the efforts we all make to live passionately while still attempting to conform to moral and social responsibilities. John’s work is thought provoking and often littered with social and philosophical commentary. As a Navy veteran John has traveled across the USA and to other countries as well, experiencing sights and cultures which have served as inspiration to his work. After 20+ years of working in the corporate world with art as his hobby, John has recently abandoned “the grind” to pursue his work as an artist in earnest. He offers that the decision was not only overdue but "very liberating". John lives in Springfield, Missouri with his wife Pattie and two dogs.