Grit, imagination and vulnerability—
Howard B. Johnson, Jr.
“Often uncomfortable in social situations, Hartmann creates cinematic reproductions that work opposite of the traditional moral code, and are intentionally exploitative, indulgent, difficult and unhappy.”
My Art Career started with a nanosecond of inspiration: a Grinning Cheshire Cat-like metaphysical image like those advertisements in the back of 60's comic books for an ersatz art school: Draw Me !advertisements in the back of 60's comic books for an ersatz art school: Draw Me !
This moment developed into an obsession: a seven day a week quest to capture this shape shifting apparition. My references became the history of the Holy Grail and the Ancient Hebrew Tetragrammaton represented by I.H.V.H. or the unpronounceable name of Creation.
My main focus is an imaginary world view; a darkly humorous amalgam of mythic images re-interpreted as Pop Culture.
Animation becomes a form of primitiveness representing the lifestyle of a era. Periods of time and historical events are blended occur simultaneously. An element of intended goofiness, whimsy and wit runs throughout the image subject.
Content is influenced by the Surrealist Era of Picasso, Max Ernst, Picabia and contemporaries such as Jim Nutt. Peter Saul, George Condo, Philip Guston and others of that genre. Each facet of The Work becomes a center of interest; all equally rendered so as there are no lax spots in the finished piece
Howard Johnson| Hudson, MA
In the past I have used Polaroids as a point of reference for a template.
I have now switched to making collages out of my own photos (be it digital/film.) The work I now create is larger scale wise and thematically. I like to enlarge the scale for more visual impact and to further investigate process to the end result (i.e. paint, impasto, and textural qualities vs. the overall rendering or correctness of the subject.)
My style is accidental. I had no intentions of being a painter…just a lucky experiment. I use everything I can get my hand on. I have come to know the things you are not supposed to do…mixing combinations, application, etc., but it has been a part of the process; lessons from failure. Texture and image are the biggies. It is about how the paint is applied but also has to be an image; a situation captured.
As always, the juxtaposition of narrative. I sometimes paint a real situation and sometimes an invented situation. Looking for purity in an alley.
I look at photography constantly. I kind of stink as the grandiose artist. I’m dumpster diving…bits here and there. Fame, excess, longing, hope, fear…, the human experience that could stop any second or go on for 20 years. You know, I people watch, basically.
Don Hartmann 2024, photo by Gail Hunt
