Cognitive Emotions

Loss

LOSS is a monotype in the “Cognitive Emotions” Series that attempts to express what you feel in that moment when you get sudden, unexpected and devastating news. It tries to capture the brief instant before your emotional and intellectual coping mechanisms kick in and you start going through however many steps it takes to deal with it and move on. (2020) (22” x 12”) ($215)

Abstracting Emotions #6

ABSTRACTING EMOTIONS #6 is the sixth in my “Abstracting Emotions” Series which uses two different types of my handmade paper. The printing, a hand inked and hand pulled monotype, was done on paper made from scrap watercolor, BFK, and business correspondence paper which were shredded, boiled together, sheeted and Plexiglas dried to create a white/off white relatively monochromatic and smooth printing paper. The print was then mounted on a different sheet of my handmade paper which was made from kozo and black dyed kozo in order to create a patterned and textured counterpoint to the print. (16” x 16”) (2019) ($250.00)

Abstracting Emotions #5

ABSTRACTING EMOTIONS #5 is the fifth in my “Abstracting Emotions” Series which uses two different types of my handmade paper. The printing, a hand inked and hand pulled monotype, was done on paper made from scrap watercolor, BFK, and business correspondence paper which were shredded, boiled together, sheeted and Plexiglas dried to create a white/off white relatively monochromatic and smooth printing paper. The print was then mounted on a different sheet of my handmade paper which was made from an old pair of blue jeans. (16” x 16”) (2019) ($250.00)

HESITATION, DEJECTION, and REVULSION accepted at the Fe Gallery

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I am very pleased to announce that three of my hand built, raku fired paper clay sculptures from the “Cognitive Emotions” Series: HESITATION, DEJECTION, and REVULSION have been accepted into the “Pattern and Abstraction” Show at the Fe Gallery, 1100 65^th Street, Sacramento, CA 95819. For this national juried show, only 54 pieces were selected from 784 entries, and I am honored to have had three of the 54. The Show will run from June 2, 2019 until July 26, 2019.

DEJECTION

DEJECTION, like all the three dimensional pieces in the “Cognitive Emotions” Series relies on the primary contour of the piece to evoke a particular emotion and the glaze pattern and color to explore the role of cognition in that emotion. In DEJECTION the figure is erect but the head has a downcast aspect and a subdued and somber color. Hand built and raku fired using artist made paper clay. 15” x 12” x 11” on an MDF base.

REMORSE

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In REMORSE, part of the “Cognitive Emotions” Series, the slumped posture of the figure and inclination of the head project the emotion and the color of the head in relation to the overall color of the figure signifies the importance of cognition in this emotion. Hand built and raku fired using artist made paper clay. 10 ½” x 8” x 7” on an MDF base.

VIGILANCE

In VIGILANCE, part of the “Cognitive Emotions” Series, the primary contour is intended to convey a sense of alert watchfulness while the colors within the piece indicate that this is a controlled emotion with a strong cognitive element. Hand built and raku fired using artist made paper clay. 10 ½” x 8” x 7” on an MDF base.

SKEPTICISM

To me, skepticism is one of the emotions with the greatest amount of thought involved in it. In SKEPTICISM, part of the “Cognitive Emotions” Series, the cognitive element, represented by the bright gold/copper color of the head and upper part of the figure, is the dominant feature of the piece with the more nuanced “emotional” colors taking a secondary role. In profile the figure is leaning back and away from what is being presented and the head is inclined slightly but skeptically. 16” x 12” x 10 ½” on an MDF base.

RAGE

RAGE, a hand inked and hand pulled dark field monotype, is a two dimensional piece in the “Cognitive Emotions” Series. The two dimensional pieces in the “Cognitive Emotions” Series use color to evoke the particular emotion and the internal lines to show the cognitive element of the emotion. Matted and framed to 20” x 16”.

REVULSION

REVULSION is one of the strongest pure emotional pieces in the “Cognitive Emotions” Series containing the least cognitive involvement. The figure is twisted, turning away and pulling back from what is in front of it – an instinctive and unthinking reaction. The color is strong and consistent throughout the piece showing the depth of the emotion. Hand built and raku fired using artist made paper clay. 10 3/8” x 8” x 7” on an MDF base.

John Fansmith

Artist