Ray Wolf’s abstractions
AT THE AGE OF 78, Ray Wolf says he paints when he feels it. “Sometimes for hours on end,” he adds, “and others with several days in between.”
A Taos resident for over 20 years, Wolf has been surprisingly under represented in Taos. The artist’s work can be seen at Rottenstone Pottery in Arroyo Seco and he has participated in many group shows in town over the years.
“I consider him to be one of our hidden treasures,” says Georgia Gersh, who is showing Wolf’s work at magpie through March.
Wolf’s gestural brushstrokes and collage nod to the influence of the abstract expressionists.
“De Kooning has always been a favorite,” the artist explains, “and Clifford Still.”
Yet these canvases are very much the property of the hand that makes them; filling them not only with bold gestures, but also layers of paint, collage and charcoal.
“I like the texture this gives them,” Wolf says, “and the graphic elements of numbers or letters showing through the layers of paint.”
Wolf’s process involves music, “always loud, always rock and roll,” he says, “I’m listening to Rare Earth right now, but on any given day it could be the Stones or Patti Smith.”
Nuanced and painterly, these works are constantly evolving like the music that drives them – multi-tracked and layered with sonic reverb and melody all at once.
“My paintings have a life of their own,” he says, “they are spontaneous, and take me where they want to go.”
“It’s not an intellectual process,” the artist notes. “I’m an under-the-radar kinda guy. I’m just doing what I love to do.”
What he loves to do is paint. And as he explains, the painting takes him on a journey, not the other way around.
“Today I’m working with paint I already have mixed and ready to use,” he says. “I’m out of my favorite colors and need to put an order in, but this will be an interesting trip I’m sure.”
He says that the canvases are constantly evolving, “until they are sold.”
“They can get quite heavy,” he says, “as I keep adding layers of paper and paint.”
“Wolf’s painting is a departure from the kind of work I normally show at magpie.” Says Gersh, “it’s strong abstract work.” Not too dissimilar in fact, both in-process and style, from the art made by her late father, painter and poet, Bill Gersh
“A lot of what I am trying to do moving forward, whether it is with pottery and glass or folk art or fine art, is offering up what I like, what I ‘get’,” Gersh said, “and hoping that it is wellreceived by the people who come to magpie.”
Magpie Gallery is located at 218 Paseo del Pueblo Norte Unit B in Taos. For information, call (781) 248-0166.