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Artist Statement

Decades ago I was given an even then old 1940’s model Ziez Ikon. With its precise fixed lens and a hand held light meter I produced a rule-burdened approximation of what was obviously a beautiful subject. It required little on the part of the viewer to recognize it as such. My work was dictatorial in style and attitude.

What I do presently is attempt to capture beauty in the overlooked and through nuance, underscoring and highlight bring it to the attention of the viewer. This is a more participatory style and less easy on the viewer who is required to complete a process I merely begin.

Never having taken an art class, it has been a surprise to learn my original images have been both emulated and anticipated by abstract artists going back a full century. Of particular note are selected works of Franz Kline, Hans Arp, Barnet Newman, Morris Louis, Kasimer Malevich and, most of all, the later work of Mark Rothko. In some of my work there can be seen a shared pallet with them in addition to Gauguin, Turner and Mondrian, neither of whose colors tend to much resemble the others.

I use a camera as my tool. I find it is both liberating and confining. It is not, however, defining. My art is more influenced by that of J. Hendrix than A. Adams and is derived from channeling neither instructor nor mentor but more so from a subconscious appreciation cumulatively gained from the art and artists that have always surrounded me.

-Tom Mcdaniel

Purchase Information:

Contact Three Flights Up Gallery to purchase an original Artwork by this artist.

phone: 865-524-5100 / email: gallery@threeflightsup.com

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