The "Live Canvas" paintings are each made from a single continuous canvas surface wrinkled/stretched/wrapped/glued
to a wood frame. In these works, the canvas abandons its traditional role as a passive flat surface for the application of
pigment; it comes "alive" and boldly competes for status as a medium in its own right. The tension between order
and chaos is paramount. Early pieces, ca. 1969-70, used dyed gray canvas (see image at right). Pieces in the late 70's explored
thinner profiles and both plain and striped canvas. In 1986, "Live Canvas No. 14" introduced painted shapes to the
mix. "Live Canvas No. 15" resumes this exploration of surface where No. 14 left off.
Live Canvas No. 17: Discontinuity of Surface
Live Canvas No. 14:
Easter Sunrise Surface
Live Canvas No. 16: Plain Vanilla Surface Any Way
You Lick at It
Live Canvas No. 13: When the Surface Comes to Town
Live Canvas No.15: Surface Resumes at The Purple Onion (Don't Panic)
Live Canvas No. 12: Not Necessarily the Whole Elephant at Your
Surface
painting the nude figure in oil and pastel
All images on this site are copyright 1969, 1970, 1977, 1978,
1986, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 by John Vistaunet.
