Around the Factory
Local abstract artist heads back to schoolBy JASON SEYLER — Sun-Gazette Correspondent
POSTED: June 29, 2009
Each brushstroke and application is applied with deliberate intent and feeling and perhaps meaning as local artist Brian Spies creates abstract masterpieces using acrylic paint on various sizes of canvas at his studio set up in the Pajama Factory, 1307 Park Ave. By applying bold colors with numerous washes and glazes that overlap to capture images, emotions and feelings, Spies explores his spiritual existence and the impermanence and fragility of life as he perceives it. Spies, who graduated from Lycoming College in 2002 with a bachelor's degree in studio art, has evolved his work from art movements that transcended the United States as the center of the art world following World War II with artists such as Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko and Willem de Kooning. "I consider myself a process-oriented abstract artist," said Spies when asked about his similarity in styles to that of the abstract expressionists of the 1950s.
POSTED: June 29, 2009
Each brushstroke and application is applied with deliberate intent and feeling and perhaps meaning as local artist Brian Spies creates abstract masterpieces using acrylic paint on various sizes of canvas at his studio set up in the Pajama Factory, 1307 Park Ave. By applying bold colors with numerous washes and glazes that overlap to capture images, emotions and feelings, Spies explores his spiritual existence and the impermanence and fragility of life as he perceives it. Spies, who graduated from Lycoming College in 2002 with a bachelor's degree in studio art, has evolved his work from art movements that transcended the United States as the center of the art world following World War II with artists such as Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko and Willem de Kooning. "I consider myself a process-oriented abstract artist," said Spies when asked about his similarity in styles to that of the abstract expressionists of the 1950s.
"By that I mean that my primary creative concern is the creative process, and what my work deals with conceptually is the very process of painterly application of paint."
Since graduation from Lycoming, Spies has been busy creating countless pieces while selling quite a few. In March 2003, he had his first solo gallery at the Coffee and Tea Room and during the 2004 election year, he served as the creative director of the Centre County Democratic Party.
Trips to New York City during college led to Spies' interests in graffiti, which led to his work in California as part of a recycling campaign called TRASHed in April 2006 and a year later, being a part of the Annual Art Parade in New York, which is sponsored by Deitch Projects.
Although Spies has left his graffiti days behind, his alias, KhingKobra, which was used as a signature slogan to his works, has remained.
Following his work at the 2006 MUNNY Film Festival and the local Kitchen Kitsch in 2007, Spies rented studio space at the Pajama Factory.
Located on Rose Street between Park and Memorial avenues, the Pajama Factory houses hundreds of thousands of square feet open for rent to artists and businesses.
The Pajama Factory has kept the KhingKobra from locking himself away in his own confines and distancing himself from the outside world.
"More than anything, it has expanded my sense of community," said Spies of the Factory. "By having all these talented people under one roof, you can't help but come into contact with other artists and get inspired by what they're doing, even if it's just walking through the halls on the way to and from your studio."
With his inspiring thirst for knowledge and information unable to be fulfilled by the numerous books, journals and newspapers he reads, Spies has enrolled in the graduate program at Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore which he feels is his highest acheivement so far.
"I will be starting classes there this August and I'm over the moon about it," said Spies of MICA. "They're one of four graduate programs in the country, and I'm so happy to be going there."
Going back to school will mean that Spies will be moving out of the Factory and Williamsport at the end of July, leaving behind friends and family, but it doesn't sound to be a permanent move.
"I'm a little sad to see that come to an end but I plan on staying in touch with everyone here and, although I'll be moving to Baltimore, by no means am I leaving Williamsport behind," said Spies. "There is such a great creative community here and I have every intention to return to it as soon as possible."
Since graduation from Lycoming, Spies has been busy creating countless pieces while selling quite a few. In March 2003, he had his first solo gallery at the Coffee and Tea Room and during the 2004 election year, he served as the creative director of the Centre County Democratic Party.
Trips to New York City during college led to Spies' interests in graffiti, which led to his work in California as part of a recycling campaign called TRASHed in April 2006 and a year later, being a part of the Annual Art Parade in New York, which is sponsored by Deitch Projects.
Although Spies has left his graffiti days behind, his alias, KhingKobra, which was used as a signature slogan to his works, has remained.
Following his work at the 2006 MUNNY Film Festival and the local Kitchen Kitsch in 2007, Spies rented studio space at the Pajama Factory.
Located on Rose Street between Park and Memorial avenues, the Pajama Factory houses hundreds of thousands of square feet open for rent to artists and businesses.
The Pajama Factory has kept the KhingKobra from locking himself away in his own confines and distancing himself from the outside world.
"More than anything, it has expanded my sense of community," said Spies of the Factory. "By having all these talented people under one roof, you can't help but come into contact with other artists and get inspired by what they're doing, even if it's just walking through the halls on the way to and from your studio."
With his inspiring thirst for knowledge and information unable to be fulfilled by the numerous books, journals and newspapers he reads, Spies has enrolled in the graduate program at Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore which he feels is his highest acheivement so far.
"I will be starting classes there this August and I'm over the moon about it," said Spies of MICA. "They're one of four graduate programs in the country, and I'm so happy to be going there."
Going back to school will mean that Spies will be moving out of the Factory and Williamsport at the end of July, leaving behind friends and family, but it doesn't sound to be a permanent move.
"I'm a little sad to see that come to an end but I plan on staying in touch with everyone here and, although I'll be moving to Baltimore, by no means am I leaving Williamsport behind," said Spies. "There is such a great creative community here and I have every intention to return to it as soon as possible."
