FRESH HORIZONS
Artist Jeff Muhs’ modern abstract style shines through in his oil paintings and concrete sculptures, available at Runway Gallery
Having grown up surrounded by natural beauty in the Hamptons, New York, Runway Gallery artist Jeff Muhs has always been passionate about nature. ‘My father was a hunting and fishing guide, so I was out on the water with him as a young child from sunrise to sunset,’ he says. An aptitude for oil painting led him to study at the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan, but the inspiration to be found in his home town proved too much to stay away and he moved back soon after completing his course. Today, his style combines abstract lines and bright colours – a bold look that’s seen commissions from celebrity fans, including Ryan Phillippe and Miley Cyrus. From his self-built studio, he works primarily with oil on canvas, but also experiments with concrete to create striking sculptures.
DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE...
Some people say my paintings look like stone or marble. To me, each piece is a landscape painting, nature’s beauty distilled and rearranged into its most basic forms: light, colour and space. I think of it as a reflection in a puddle – there are beautiful things within nature that you might not notice until someone points them out to you and that’s what I’m trying to do through my paintings.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR SCULPTURES – WHY CONCRETE?
Oil on canvas is my main medium, but I’ve always been a sculptor. I learnt the art of wood sculpting as a child from my father, but it wasn’t until I built my first house that I discovered concrete as a medium. I became fascinated by it and have been experimenting ever since. Unlike my paintings, my sculptures are driven by process and form; I love discovering new ways to make interesting shapes.
SHARE YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS...
It begins with procrastination! I start by making new tools to work with, from brushes to easels. I spend time visualising and planning the work, winding myself up like a spring until the tension is released and the actual creating begins. It can take anything from 20 minutes to a month for me to make a painting.
HOW DO YOU LIKE TO DISPLAY ARTWORK IN YOUR OWN HOME?
Nothing defines a style and enriches your home environment like art. I think that large, visually dynamic works benefit from being isolated in their own space, but for me there’s definitely something beautiful about the poetry of grouping together seemingly non-related works.
WHAT ABOUT FRAMES?
I personally design the frames I use for my paintings, but they don’t always need one – oil paint is a very hard-wearing medium and an unframed finish often suits a contemporary space.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE BUYING ART?
I consider art as an investment in your quality of life. Few things exist solely for the pleasure of experiencing them, so seek out pieces that resonate with you.
To buy stylish and contemporary artwork for your home by Jeff Muhs and other leading artists, visit runway-gallery.com