James Vissari
WOKE in COLOR
“Woken Color”
An intense journey. James’ solitude, imagination, interpretation and representation of wondering. Fulfillment, completion, contemplation, resting emotion of enlightenment transformation, to birth reverent, calm courage.
Explosive color moving stillness. The light moves across moments that are fleeting. Emotional images dig chasm to be filled with daydreams experience; simultaneously observers the future history sage grasp.
James painted one moment at a time over many, creates a kaleidoscope of small towns journey.
A secret hidden gems’ slow metamorphous cherishing today.
November 19 -20
12-6PM
Reception: Saturday November 19, 4-6pm
7300 MacArthur Blvd.
Glen Echo, MD 20812
This is my solo of the year with at the Yellow Barn in Glen Echo. The Show is called "Woke in Color". Heard as "Woken Color". Pushing the color to have the viewer find emotions in this intense bunch of work. It was a true journey of wondering and seeking to find the things that I want to capture while enjoying life to its fullest. The paintings are intended to evoke memories.
I am a visual story teller, turning ephemeral into memories; temporary is part of permanent, fragments are part of the infinite.
I hope that you enjoy seeing them as much as I enjoyed painting them.
Childhood Memories:
Description
Snow falls in a valley of three mountains. Snow fills the air! A worn path leads between the shed and holiday lit home. All, under branches from an oak, "Bigger than a mountain". You can catch four snowflakes on your tong. There are four special snowflakes in this painting.
Crazy Fog River
This is the image that I wasn’t sure was done. Then decided this is exactly it. Because I did not want to draw attention to the shore as much as always drawing the viewer “down river” deep into the fog. Just looking:
Description
This riverside bank is jammed with log and debris. Depth is simplified by the fog that covers the mass of the river.
I was there alone gathering my thoughts one December morning. The fog softens the reality just enough to be absolutely peaceful.
Crew training / pull:
Description
Historic Architecture crowds the background, pushing the colonial style bridge to the midground, while a boat crew pulls past shadows into the mid-morning light
Evening Prayers:
Watching things of antiquity being torn down always bothered me. A longing to stay old-fashioned.
Usually, it’s a rebuilding/ update that turns historical craftsmanship into modern architecture. I’ve been trying to be excited about progress.
This building was built by someone’s family for a specific purpose. Not cookie cutter building to market. Character
This building was gone the day after I started studies. Man did I get lucky. And even luckier…. Instead of anything built here, they planted grass. Imagine. Now it’s back to a state of before the building. Seeing it as BEFORE anyone built anything there. Like looking back in time at the grass and sunshine.
Ever hear “…hasn’t got a prayer…”. we do have at least a prayer.
Description
Harsh weather approaching an old church as the sun sets on the other side of the structure. Light beams touch the side of the building with reassuring warmth.
windows removed and mostly boarded, A wood pallet is set for use as a ladder for entry beside a religious statue
Final Draft:
Whites Ferry was the last operational ferry on the Potomac River. It was taken out of the water and remains drydocked. Including the Inverted sign in the water reflection was significantly included because of the rejection of terms that discontinued ferry use. It is facing and near its opposite shore. Draft is a term that describes the water measured from the bottom of the boat to the waterline. Hence, out of water permanently. Final Draft.
Description
Explosive color moving stillness. The light moves across moments. Emotional images dig chasm to be filled with daydreams experience; simultaneously observers the future history sage grasp
Gota Stop:
Description
Gas pumps are luminated by bright lights as the sun sets on the town service station in twilight
Greens Blues:
This was a dilapidated golf club house. Restoring it to how I mostly remember it being here… after a day of terrible golf. What a water hazard. I was out there in the rain and needed a few shots. So, off with the hoodie, shoes and socks to traverse the building for multiple shots with my R3. Back to the truck, off with wet T and on to warm hoodie dry feet and back into my wrestling shoes. Kinda crazy hu?
The next day, they tore it down. Crazy lucky.
I use a geometric symmetry for the comp. Manipulated the colors for greens and blues Analogous colors. Exaggerated the depth and perspective. And voilá.
Description
Work hard, play hard ending the day with a sit with friend recap the slope of game in the home of the course gather friendship and memories on the evenings of strength.
Green Broke:
The brand-new tractor sits in front of the historic Garage in the hours of twilight. "Green Broke" is a term used by horse trainers. It indicates that a horse has been trained just enough to get a saddle on it. This brand-new equipment may have only plowed one field (Also reference to Green Broke) so far, with many more to come. The excitement of a new tractor working the bounty dawn till dusk.
Description
Country hard honest work radiates from the young tractor chomping at the bit eager to prove capable.
Just as I remember it:
Description
Autumn closes in on the homestead statement of belonging and longevity. Home barn and outbuildings compliment the surrounding hills landscape visible from sheep to sky appreciation of the day
Rocklands mountain farm winery
Last Call:
So many small and staple small-town places being closed or shut down or torn down.
Trying to paint the memories.
Bassets is the local watering hole. Been here years.
I was out painting in the snow that turned to rain. I’m not going to miss painting this one.it may have saved my life.
I had been going through rough time with family, professional life and I was left with nothing.
Every night, I got a wiskyrocks. They filled the chip bowl twice. It was my only dinner
Such a great place to meet super friends.
So sad that it will be gone. I kinda need it around like an old friend.
Description
Warm glowing holiday light hang over the corner restaurant and bar like memories reoccurring.
Our Time:
This is the historic, Seneca creek aqueduct of the C&O canal. It has a bench within view where one can sit with company or just as contently alone. The purple and orange of the Redstone structures, built long ago, stand the test of time. In hope that they last forever, for generations of admirers to see. Caretakers of the C&O protect it in a national park. The Park closes at dusk cutting my time short.
Description
Colors pop highlighting time spent in admiration of Historic Seneca creek aqueduct of the C&O canal. It has a bench within view where one can sit with company or just as contently alone. The purple and orange of the Redstone structures, built o long ago stand the test of time. In hope that they last forever for generations of admirers to see.
Caretakers of the C&O protect it in a national park. The Park closes at dusk cutting my time short.
Reign:
Always wondering when the last of the ruralness will escape, I’m painting all that I can of it. At first, with this piece, I wanted to paint the field and sky with little emphases on the buildings. Once the barn was in, it was singing like a choir. Making sure that the painting was still about the land and sky, I was able to use the surroundings as crescendos. I do hope you enjoy the flashes of “Here I am”. In the painting of one of the last places where I can see the farm from the neighborhood. I paint knowing that my rural area might be past its stay. The rain on the crops from expansive sky are here right now for us to absorb like a sponge in a tie-dye flow. I hope that your experience is similar to the excitement and love I feel breathing it in.
Resurrected:
This Cityscape / small town scape, is where the windows from my piece "evening prayers" were recycled too. Stained Glass glowing to its original magnificence, dominates from its corridor as the newer structure is shyly in the background. Architecture is topped, with a most interesting, Bell tower / belfry that encloses the bell-chamber / Campanile where a bell on a wheel, drapes rope to the ringers making melodies while the clapper strikes.
Description
Recycled windows glow satisfaction at the placement into new architecture standing tall glorified dominates from its corridor as the newer structure is shyly in the background. architecture topped, with a most interesting, bell tower / belfry that encloses the bell-chamber / campanile where a bell on a wheel, drapes rope to the ringers making melodies while the clapper strikes.
Spring Break:
Painting the Poolesville High School just before the façade we remodeled.
Description
A place where we all were Kings and Queens. The 1970 architecture is beautifully angular. The building of learning and growing and weekends and Spring Break.
Sunset Adventure:
Description
Colors exceed expectation when the sun sets cast thick, coaxing another look that beckons
Take my Picture:
Great Falls Rapids. Furry in jagged rocks of rapids splashing soaking waves onto sunshine rocks begging to take my picture
(“thinking emoji “)
Description
Seneca stonecutting mill in the national historic park of the C&O cannel. built in the early 1800's, it was once attractive. vandals have dug up the floor, mature trees have grown inside. the mill wheel is gone. graffiti covered every wall, rock and tree. graffiti white wash applied by another graffiti artist, covers all but their own work. a pitiful mess. fallen walls & trees clutter the back room where I still admire the craftsmanship while looking into the soul of its lifetime
These are the images and caption that I put in my newsletter. They and collectors have first look. Anyone can sign up on my webpage. vissari.net
WOKE in COLOR
“Woken Color”
An intense journey. James’ solitude, imagination, interpretation and representation of wondering. Fulfillment, completion, contemplation, resting emotion of enlightenment transformation, to birth reverent, calm courage.
Explosive color moving stillness. The light moves across moments that are fleeting. Emotional images dig chasm to be filled with daydreams experience; simultaneously observers the future history sage grasp.
James painted one moment at a time over many, creates a kaleidoscope of small towns journey.
A secret hidden gems’ slow metamorphous cherishing today.
November 19 -20
12-6PM
Reception: Saturday November 19, 4-6pm
7300 MacArthur Blvd.
Glen Echo, MD 20812
This is my solo of the year with at the Yellow Barn in Glen Echo. The Show is called "Woke in Color". Heard as "Woken Color". Pushing the color to have the viewer find emotions in this intense bunch of work. It was a true journey of wondering and seeking to find the things that I want to capture while enjoying life to its fullest. The paintings are intended to evoke memories.
I am a visual story teller, turning ephemeral into memories; temporary is part of permanent, fragments are part of the infinite.
I hope that you enjoy seeing them as much as I enjoyed painting them.
Childhood Memories:
Description
Snow falls in a valley of three mountains. Snow fills the air! A worn path leads between the shed and holiday lit home. All, under branches from an oak, "Bigger than a mountain". You can catch four snowflakes on your tong. There are four special snowflakes in this painting.
Crazy Fog River
This is the image that I wasn’t sure was done. Then decided this is exactly it. Because I did not want to draw attention to the shore as much as always drawing the viewer “down river” deep into the fog. Just looking:
Description
This riverside bank is jammed with log and debris. Depth is simplified by the fog that covers the mass of the river.
I was there alone gathering my thoughts one December morning. The fog softens the reality just enough to be absolutely peaceful.
Crew training / pull:
Description
Historic Architecture crowds the background, pushing the colonial style bridge to the midground, while a boat crew pulls past shadows into the mid-morning light
Evening Prayers:
Watching things of antiquity being torn down always bothered me. A longing to stay old-fashioned.
Usually, it’s a rebuilding/ update that turns historical craftsmanship into modern architecture. I’ve been trying to be excited about progress.
This building was built by someone’s family for a specific purpose. Not cookie cutter building to market. Character
This building was gone the day after I started studies. Man did I get lucky. And even luckier…. Instead of anything built here, they planted grass. Imagine. Now it’s back to a state of before the building. Seeing it as BEFORE anyone built anything there. Like looking back in time at the grass and sunshine.
Ever hear “…hasn’t got a prayer…”. we do have at least a prayer.
Description
Harsh weather approaching an old church as the sun sets on the other side of the structure. Light beams touch the side of the building with reassuring warmth.
windows removed and mostly boarded, A wood pallet is set for use as a ladder for entry beside a religious statue
Final Draft:
Whites Ferry was the last operational ferry on the Potomac River. It was taken out of the water and remains drydocked. Including the Inverted sign in the water reflection was significantly included because of the rejection of terms that discontinued ferry use. It is facing and near its opposite shore. Draft is a term that describes the water measured from the bottom of the boat to the waterline. Hence, out of water permanently. Final Draft.
Description
Explosive color moving stillness. The light moves across moments. Emotional images dig chasm to be filled with daydreams experience; simultaneously observers the future history sage grasp
Gota Stop:
Description
Gas pumps are luminated by bright lights as the sun sets on the town service station in twilight
Greens Blues:
This was a dilapidated golf club house. Restoring it to how I mostly remember it being here… after a day of terrible golf. What a water hazard. I was out there in the rain and needed a few shots. So, off with the hoodie, shoes and socks to traverse the building for multiple shots with my R3. Back to the truck, off with wet T and on to warm hoodie dry feet and back into my wrestling shoes. Kinda crazy hu?
The next day, they tore it down. Crazy lucky.
I use a geometric symmetry for the comp. Manipulated the colors for greens and blues Analogous colors. Exaggerated the depth and perspective. And voilá.
Description
Work hard, play hard ending the day with a sit with friend recap the slope of game in the home of the course gather friendship and memories on the evenings of strength.
Green Broke:
The brand-new tractor sits in front of the historic Garage in the hours of twilight. "Green Broke" is a term used by horse trainers. It indicates that a horse has been trained just enough to get a saddle on it. This brand-new equipment may have only plowed one field (Also reference to Green Broke) so far, with many more to come. The excitement of a new tractor working the bounty dawn till dusk.
Description
Country hard honest work radiates from the young tractor chomping at the bit eager to prove capable.
Just as I remember it:
Description
Autumn closes in on the homestead statement of belonging and longevity. Home barn and outbuildings compliment the surrounding hills landscape visible from sheep to sky appreciation of the day
Rocklands mountain farm winery
Last Call:
So many small and staple small-town places being closed or shut down or torn down.
Trying to paint the memories.
Bassets is the local watering hole. Been here years.
I was out painting in the snow that turned to rain. I’m not going to miss painting this one.it may have saved my life.
I had been going through rough time with family, professional life and I was left with nothing.
Every night, I got a wiskyrocks. They filled the chip bowl twice. It was my only dinner
Such a great place to meet super friends.
So sad that it will be gone. I kinda need it around like an old friend.
Description
Warm glowing holiday light hang over the corner restaurant and bar like memories reoccurring.
Our Time:
This is the historic, Seneca creek aqueduct of the C&O canal. It has a bench within view where one can sit with company or just as contently alone. The purple and orange of the Redstone structures, built long ago, stand the test of time. In hope that they last forever, for generations of admirers to see. Caretakers of the C&O protect it in a national park. The Park closes at dusk cutting my time short.
Description
Colors pop highlighting time spent in admiration of Historic Seneca creek aqueduct of the C&O canal. It has a bench within view where one can sit with company or just as contently alone. The purple and orange of the Redstone structures, built o long ago stand the test of time. In hope that they last forever for generations of admirers to see.
Caretakers of the C&O protect it in a national park. The Park closes at dusk cutting my time short.
Reign:
Always wondering when the last of the ruralness will escape, I’m painting all that I can of it. At first, with this piece, I wanted to paint the field and sky with little emphases on the buildings. Once the barn was in, it was singing like a choir. Making sure that the painting was still about the land and sky, I was able to use the surroundings as crescendos. I do hope you enjoy the flashes of “Here I am”. In the painting of one of the last places where I can see the farm from the neighborhood. I paint knowing that my rural area might be past its stay. The rain on the crops from expansive sky are here right now for us to absorb like a sponge in a tie-dye flow. I hope that your experience is similar to the excitement and love I feel breathing it in.
Resurrected:
This Cityscape / small town scape, is where the windows from my piece "evening prayers" were recycled too. Stained Glass glowing to its original magnificence, dominates from its corridor as the newer structure is shyly in the background. Architecture is topped, with a most interesting, Bell tower / belfry that encloses the bell-chamber / Campanile where a bell on a wheel, drapes rope to the ringers making melodies while the clapper strikes.
Description
Recycled windows glow satisfaction at the placement into new architecture standing tall glorified dominates from its corridor as the newer structure is shyly in the background. architecture topped, with a most interesting, bell tower / belfry that encloses the bell-chamber / campanile where a bell on a wheel, drapes rope to the ringers making melodies while the clapper strikes.
Spring Break:
Painting the Poolesville High School just before the façade we remodeled.
Description
A place where we all were Kings and Queens. The 1970 architecture is beautifully angular. The building of learning and growing and weekends and Spring Break.
Sunset Adventure:
Description
Colors exceed expectation when the sun sets cast thick, coaxing another look that beckons
Take my Picture:
Great Falls Rapids. Furry in jagged rocks of rapids splashing soaking waves onto sunshine rocks begging to take my picture
(“thinking emoji “)
Description
Seneca stonecutting mill in the national historic park of the C&O cannel. built in the early 1800's, it was once attractive. vandals have dug up the floor, mature trees have grown inside. the mill wheel is gone. graffiti covered every wall, rock and tree. graffiti white wash applied by another graffiti artist, covers all but their own work. a pitiful mess. fallen walls & trees clutter the back room where I still admire the craftsmanship while looking into the soul of its lifetime
These are the images and caption that I put in my newsletter. They and collectors have first look. Anyone can sign up on my webpage. vissari.net
