Collaboration with Vanessa Compton
I first saw Vanessa's art in Vermont while visiting a mutual friend, who suggested we view her exhibit at a regional art center. I was instantly mesmerized by the exciting blend of collage, mixed media, and painting. I thought the images revealed a powerful emotional connection with nature, the spirit, and our human condition. Shortly afterwards, I was fortunate to meet her and visit her studio, and eventually we began working together. We envisaged a dynamic contrast between her contemporary and intensely political imagery emerging from the sort of dream-like magical landscape themes of my own work. Here are some of the resulting works.
Left: Thomas Moran’s Laguna, New Mexico Looking from the East, a watercolor, gouache, and pencil on paper from 1891. Right: Lost City, ©2018, watercolor and acrylic on vintage Arches cold pressed paper attached to a cradled birch panel with a hand-painted edge patina, 28 x 28. Inspired by the Thomas Moran sketch, Vanessa established the theme and composition with a drawing and watercolor underpainting, which I embellished futher with acrylic paint. This was our first major collaboration. Lost City is available as a 16 x 16 fine art print.
Velvet D’Arrest ©2025, 20 x 30 x 2 paper collage on a pigment ink jet print on canvas from a gouache painting. This work was created in part for Vermont Vice: Sex, Drugs, Money, and Murder, an exhibit now on view at the Bennington Museum. “While Vermont is often imagined as an idyllic rural paradise, largely free from the darker elements of humanity, anyone who lives here or knows its history understands this isn’t true. The state has long shared the darker issues found anywhere humans settle—from counterfeiters, rum runners, and drug dealers to girlie shows, illicit gambling, and even murder.” About this piece, Vanessa writes: “I wanted to marry his exquisite use of color and movement with collaged moments inspired by the exhibition statement, so that it feels rooted in Vermont’s pastoral landscape yet charged with a contemporary energy that reflects what it feels like to be alive right now.” Available at Krinshaw Studios.
THE PAST, ©2023, 30 x 24 paper collage and oil on archival inkjet on canvas. Inspired by the love of wide open vistas and the look of certain buttes in the American Southwest. Vanessa created a narrative suggesting the transition from a previous history into the beginning of a new time with new possibilities. The hands are cradling peyote, a symbol of the transformative power of sacred lands. Vanessa often incorporates the black and white images of Diane Arbus in her pieces, finding them to be powerful and moving: “I’m particularly drawn to how she would document the celebrations of folks on the fringes of society- for instance a birthday party at an asylum. After all, everyone has the right to celebrate”. Available at Krinshaw Studios.
Shalako Beholds The Multiverse ©2022, 15 x 11 watercolor and collage on paper. Available at Western Gallery
Education of a Wandering Man ©2022, 11 x 14 watercolor and collage on paper. Available at Soapbox Arts
Tie-Dye Love, ©2018 watercolor and paper collage on vintage Arches cold press watercolor paper, 25 x 22. With this piece, Vanessa created the theme and narrative with cut-paper collage. I followed, painting a watercolor background.
Brothers in Arms and Big Sky Country, ©2018, diptych watercolor and printed paper collage on Rives paper, 11 x 15 each and framed separately. In this work, I painted several watercolor backgrounds, and Vanessa created the theme and narrative with cut-paper collage. Big Sky Country (on the right) is available from Krinshaw Studios.