Process Artist Kristine Schomaker

Updated Artist Statement and Biography:

As an artist, I work in two realities, the physical and the virtual. On one level, I am a process abstractionist, using acrylic paint to explore the various dimensions of paint application, choice of colors and countless methods for textures and patterns. On another level, I am an artist working in Second Life, the Web 2.0 virtual reality world. In that realm, I concentrate on the process of exhibiting my work globally. I am a part of a group of contemporary artists who are exploring new uses for presenting their work through social networking tools and Web 2.0 applications.

The physicality of my work is influenced by “real life” contemporary artists such as Pia Fries, Fumiko Amano, Aaron Petersen, Pat Steir and Gerhard Richter. Like many of these artists, I use unconventional methods to create and communicate my ideas. I normally paint on whatever is available, whether canvas, wood or metal. Rather than using a paintbrush, I use a wooden spoon, comb, hairbrush or a blow dryer to play with the paint. Sometimes I spread the paint directly from the tube, or thin the paint and pour it onto the canvas using the blow dryer or gravity to let the paint flow. I am often on the floor with the canvas getting ‘into’ the paint as I pour, drip, spread and then blow the paint around. I literally put myself into my works. By letting the paint flow freely, my art captures the energy found in action painting, with more emphasis placed on the physical reactions of the materials.

I have moved from the conceptual theories of the last period in Art history, in order to get back to the formal aspects of art. My work is about the three dimensionality of paint. Through the use of color, texture, pattern and design I rely heavily on contrasts; positive vs. negative, control vs. release, organic vs. structured, curvy vs. straight, soft vs. hard, smooth vs. rough, order vs. chaos, planned vs. spontaneous, change vs. constancy, opaque vs. transparent, thick vs. thin, push vs. pull, addition vs. subtraction, control vs. release. The finished painting is realized when these elements come together in harmony.

My physical artworks are subsequently digitized and uploaded into Second Life. In this environment, the emotional impact is enhanced through the deliberate manipulation of scale in my artwork. Each becomes more grandiose and powerful after having been enlarged to sizes greater than life. I use the Second Life venue as a global platform, where contemporary social networking capabilities allow connections with people on a creative as well as psychological level.

I believe in intensity and passion and I will continue to explore new avenues, new alternatives in process, paint and presentation.

Biography:
Kristine Schomaker lives in Southern California, as a Masters Candidate in Art at California State University Northridge. In 1998, she began part-time painting and drawing classes at the local Junior College while she continued her education in Art History. Even though her studies were more erudite in nature, she continued to paint, experimenting with different abstract styles and techniques. While studying art history, she realized her true passion was in creating art, not writing about it. She challenged herself to find her contemporary voice by continuing with her studies in Studio Art. Kristine is just now emerging onto the contemporary art scene, using new media applications and social networking tools to give her art exposure on a global level.