Detail / Floral Object Assembly

Detail of 'Communion': Floral composition / found object assembly. This Harkrader composition consist of an open-faced cordless handset (communication) that is embellished with crystals, glass and metal, all residing on the face of the motherboard of the cordless instrument. Symbolic of communication, hence; communion, which may be interpreted as a means of contact with the supernatural, a higher being, a celebration of the body of Christ, humanity, and ourselves as we 'talk to ourselves' when no one else will listen. This composition is symbolic, elegant, feminine, urban and delicate.

Birth of the Universe - New Work (continued)

Birth of the Universe, Birth of Man, Dust to Dust, Children of the Dust, Lust to Dust, God of Mortality, Fall of Man, Original Sin, Forbidden Fruit, Desire, title, title, title, etc. What, where, when and how? This, that, thus and such. In, out, up and down.

Vento Floreale

Wind blown botanicals or 'Vento Floreale' 36x48. The action compositions of the 'Corolla' abstract floral series continue with the completion of the canvas above. A garden of wind blown erotica; pedals, anthers, stigma, style, ovary and eggs may be analogous to the feminine and it's complement, the masculine / or the Mars-Venus. Minimum collage and embedded fibers on the left vertical and the wandering mimicry of the floral motifs by the same gauge black fiber that meander around add a gentle action to the center composition.

Word 200 Evolved From European Travels

This 'Word 200' Harkrader canvas evolved from bits and pieces of acquired Eastern and Western Europe. Collages include Greek text, European currency, fiber and other memorabilia. A canvas in which the 'white' floats above the earthy excavation like shapes below. White can represent purity and freedom, but also provide contrast to the surrounding colors of black and color. All the colors on this canvas seem to absorb as opposed to reflect. This canvas resides in the Harkrader collection and may be available. (Sold:Michael&Ellen@Naples)

Australian Rail Station Urinal Public Art

Australians and Europeans have a keen sense of public humor compared to many disconcerted Americans who can be easily offended at a Calvin Klein ad. The Department of Aussie Rail has given this Public Toilet (Loo) and it's patron rail passengers a dose of humor as they relieve themselves. Public art is at it's finest here when the general public participates in street theatre and (high) art. Dig those contemporary stainless steel urinals! Harkrader backpacked the Eastern coast of Australia in 01 and 02 between Brisbane and Tazmania, including four trips into Sydney over a 3 month period, transported by rail and lodging by YHA hostels.

Small Onyx With A Large Heart

From the Onyx series, a message of love (& death?)... 'Xo' with meaning, among other things, hugs and kisses or kisses and hugs. The X may represent the symbolic textural gesture of an embrace (arms in hug) or the cartoonist symbol of an animated kiss (peck-lips-x). The O may represent the circling embrace of a hug or the shape of one's lips in a pucker. Either or vice versa...they both work in the text messaging; this revolutionary, vocabulary changing, end of the Queen's English as we know it culture. These two shapes (XO) also found their way into historical cave drawings and the history of the future as artist continue to use them in their paintings as Harkrader has done on this 5"x5" mini-canvas of mixed mediums. Collage of black paper on the top left side provide texture and composition. The double X (white & gray) provide additional language and bright red O or swirl complete the message. But meaning contiues as one ponders the religious meaning of the cross. There seems to always be an artistic language of love, life, death, religion, environment or war within much of our art. What does it mean when the artist did not mean to imply any social or religious message, but the viewer finds otherwise? Is the language valid?

New York City Urban Inspirations.

New York City, San Francisco, Chicago, London, Rome, Paris, Budpest, Prague, and many other urban centers have provided Harkrader with inspirational metropolitan influences. More than 40 paintings from the 'Urban' series have thus far evolved from these influences. "Cities are, among other things, sexy" says Harkrader. There is an energy in the city that one can not obtain from any other source. The energy from mass humanity, surging public transportation, romantic piano bars, lovely hotel rooms, the sensual shapes of architecture expanse, (especially the vertical) the aroma of international cuisine, art, scultpture, and the unwritten history of eros within museum walls. Wow, that sounded like the plot or script from a dozen 'Sex In The City' episodes. The image of the World Financial Center buildings above was captured by the artist in 1991 from atop the World Trade Center, 10 years before the dreadful 9-11. Harkrader shot this architectural angle, never to be captured again, from atop those magnificent twin towers. The World Trade Center's visual awe was not just their height, but the double columns that rose from the earth like a scene from some ancient holy site from another planet. What an absolute loss of art and life! Long live New York City.

Get In On The ACTION!

This fast and sudden action resembles an expansion of earth with bolts of white lightning, clouds or ice caps exploding about the landscape that are charged with energy. This painting titled Silent Echo II is one of Harkrader’s paintings from his ‘Action’ series. According to the artist that after some observation noticed that the action panels seem to appeal to the masculine side of the sexes or to the Mars side (Mars VS. Venus). This canvas is 30” x 40” and is available. Get in on the action.

The RAC & New Work Studio

Harkrader takes a break in his studio today to relax on the studio stool (tee hee) and critique some of his new work. Surrounded by a bed of flowers, Harkrader feels like spring has finally arrived. The morning started with a cup of Mill Mountain's best with a splash of Kahlua : ). Good conversation and the Wall Street Journal followed by a brisk workout at the RAC and ending with 5 minutes in the steam room. All part of the recipe to feed the art of creation.

Early Digital Computage

Harkrader bought his first version of Adobe Photoshop in 1994 after purchasing his first computer to participate online with the now historic Blacksburg Electronic Village. The BEV was touted as the worlds first electronic village and was a collaboration between Virginia Tech, Town of Blacksburg and Bell Atlantic. He used Netscape to browse for the first time and Photoshop to create his first digital art. The image above was compulation of photographing an early Harkrader painting, photographing his wife's automobile, using Photoshop tools to paint, blend, merge and layer the digital collage into one single unit of blended art.

God said, "Let There Be Art"

In the beginning there was History
History begat Darkness
Darkness begat Light
Light begat Life
Life begat Love
Love begat Art
Art begat History


...Harkrader


This painting is available / 48" x 60" / mixed medium on canvas