“Alacrity”

(66” x 58”) 2015

Background A one-day, video shoot was planned in Paul’s studio to film the robot, Dulcinea, creating a painting.  Hours would be required during the morning to setup the cameras and lighting, and blacken the outside windows.  So, the painting had to be simplified to just a few hundred strokes for the available painting time. 

By reducing the number of brushstrokes, yet wanting to create a sizeable canvas (66” x 58”), Paul opened up the stroke density, adding more negative space. 

Painting’s Design Fluid dynamics, a subset of chaos theory, created the design.  However, it wasn’t quite that simple.  He looked at dozens and dozens of variations in a few days of collaborating with the programs.  He was looking for something with energy and lumen.   

The result was indeed something light and airy.  A lively painting.  A painting with beautiful brushstrokes - the heart and soul of painting.  The concepts are about what engages the eye – brushstroke, color, contrast, movement. 

Conclusion Although a simple painting, it turned out to be one of Paul’s favorites.

Video: Paul Kirby discusses the painting’s design, movement, and brushwork.