Cory Willingham van der Does: Tales From the Road

F5: Painting the Psychological Impact of Extreme Weather

For my thesis (F5: Painting the Psychological Impact of Extreme Weather) I employ the depiction of extreme weather events such as tornados, hurricanes, and dust storms in a narrative format to move the viewer to the unsettling space that lies between basic instinct and self-awareness. Why and how do we react to such severe and life-threatening storms? These paintings work to define and contain these psychological states within a single moment and shed light on the complexity of human motives and the way we relate to the world around us.

Employing painting techniques such as abstraction, collage, and experimental surface treatments, I explore new possibilities within the narrative tradition. I combine images from sources such as meteorological surveys, psychology textbooks, scientific journals and websites, and personal photographs to create highly textured paintings deeply layered with meaning. By exploiting the unique properties of oils, acrylics, and charcoals, and by embedding within the paint natural materials such as pine needles, rocks, twigs, sand, and moss, and incorporating man-made common household construction materials such as spackle and bead-board panelling, the forms within the compositions and the surface of the paintings become interdependent in the translation of the message.

If you are interested in additional information about this body of work or my thesis, please don't hesitate to email me!

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Tales From the Road

Tales From the Road was a hugely successful exhibit at the gorgeous Yadkin Cultural Arts Center, nestled in the hills of North Carolina, just north of Winston-Salem. I was honored to show over twenty of my larger narrative paintings alongside glass artist Nicolas van der Does' amazing and colorful works. If you were unable to attend the two-month exhibit, I invite you to check out Nick's website to see what you missed (www.nicolasvanderdoes.com). And I sincerely thank Susan and Stephen Lyons, gallery directors, for their gracious hosting, dedicated efforts with promotion, and exceptional professionalism...you guys are the BEST! Thank you to all who came out for the Opening Reception - what a turnout!! I was particularly honored by the presence of my grandmother, Lucy Willingham. And thank you, especially, to the young gentleman who came with his mom - we spoke at length while I was setting up the exhibit about your budding interest in painting....I hope you're using that brush I gave you...I expect to be at your exhibit one day!