It’s no secret I am a huge fan of artist Curt Fowler – one of his paintings hangs in my living room. His new body of work, entitled ‘Conscious Chaos’, exhibits this month at Artwork Network in a dual show with Phil Bender (read more about that here). I was incredibly excited to sit down with him and ask a few questions that have been on my mind.

You work mostly in abstract – do these pieces have any hidden meanings?

Curt Fowler: There are no intentional meanings or symbols in my paintings. For me it is, most of the time, an experience of the moment. Usually the choice of color is random.

Curt Fowler, Artist

How do you choose the titles of your work?

Curt Fowler: I am reluctant to give my paintings names, but it seems desirable to the buyers. Titles to me can influence how the art is viewed. Sometimes I will make up a name that in no way pertains to the painting. For instance the last painting I sold, of a tree, was named “At the Mall”.

Do you have a favorite contemporary artist?

Curt Fowler: I do not have one favorite artist. I try to be observant and see the best in another artist’s work.

Do you have a favorite color you like to work with?

Curt Fowler: Three colors for me: red, yellow, blue.  In that order.

A side by side view of paintings by Curt Fowler.

I’ve noticed you sometimes paint over pieces – why?

Curt Fowler: I don’t think of it so much painting over as picking up and beginning again. The one you own “32 Red Lines” was over a year in the making.  I have come to think of this technique as excavation, paint is layered on then I begin to remove it to see how the lower layers reveal themselves.

What do you want people to walk away with when they see your work?

Curt Fowler: One thing is for them to feel the love the painting was created out of, to take it into their lives because they want to feel all the painting has to offer.