Jon Carsman (1944-1987)

Jon CARSMAN, American (1944 - 1987) Jon Carsman was born in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania in 1944, and he grew up surrounded by the Appalachian Mountain Range with its lush woods and forests. Carsman found the source of his inspiration in the play of color and light reflected across the framed houses streets and countryside of small town America.Jon likes to be in the woods at springtime to capture its arrival. His paintings synthesize realism and fantasy. To quote the artist, "I want, with the woodland scenes, to create certain phenomena that take place in nature. I want to paint wonderful pools of water with shimmering reflections."Carsman's paintings reflect the resurgence of American realism in art. Realism is not an identifiable technique or style but an attitude, a view of the world that offers perception without artifice. Realism examines and represents the subject without isolating it from its surroundings. The everyday reality that Carsman paints is a selected experience For the layman, subjectivity is a condition of perception. Our preconceived ideas of reality have clouded our objectivity in viewing reality. The artist's vision, especially the New Realist vision, make the relationships as simple and direct as possible.Color is an important factor in Carsman's work. His pallet is vibrant and intense. Often his work is reminiscent of Roualt's brilliant stained glass church windows. Carsman isolates strong areas of color in juxtaposition with dark outline, the colors become chrystalized motifs with a sparkling jewel like quality. Color is the greatest emotional factor in painting and Carsman uses this device very successfully. Carsman paints broad areas of vivid high-key tones with a surprising effect that creates a dynamic interplay of light and shadow.Individual Exhibitions1968 Everhart Museum, Scranton, Pennsylvania1969 Wilkes College, Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania1972 Brooklyn College, Brooklyn, N.Y.1973 Images Gallery, Toledo OhioJacob's Ladder Gallery, Washington, D.C.1974 Tower Gallery, Southampton; L.I., NYTennessee Fine Arts Center, Nashville, Tennessee1970-74 Graham Gallery, New York1975 Forsythe Gallery, Ann Arbor, MichiganSouthern Methodist University Dallas, TexasVick Gallery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania1976 Fischbach Gallery, New YorkCoventry Gallery, Melbourne, AustraliaImages Gallery, Toledo, Chic1977 Coventry Gallery, Melbourne, AustraliaPeter M. David Gallery, Minneapolis, MinnesotaAlien House Gallery, Louisville, KentuckyPhoenix Art Museum, Phoenix, ArizonaFischbach Gallery, New YorkVan Straaten Gallery, Chicago, IllinoisEverson Museum, Syracuse, New York1978 Oklahoma Art Center, Oklahoma City, OklahomaAndrew Crispo Gallery, New YorkCity University of New York, New YorkWichita Art Museum, Wichita, Kansas1973 Andrew Crispo Gallery, New YorkCollective Exhibitions1972 Hall Galleries, Miami, Florida"Windows and Doors," Hechscher Museum, Huntington, L.I. N~Y,1972-74 Graham Gallery, New York1973 Forsythe Gallery, Ann Arbor, Michigan1973-76 Tower Gallery, Southampton, L.I. N.Y.1973 "200 Years of American Painting," Mid-American Art Alliance traveling show1974 "Our Great American Heritage in Painting'' Tower Gallery, New York1976 "Contemporary images in Watercolor,'' Akron Art Institute, Akron, OhioTower Gallery, Southampton, L.I, N.Y. "Painting and Sculpture Today: The Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis, Indiana "Art Works" Milwaukee Wisconsin1977 "20th Century American Paintings and Sculpture," Andrew Crispo Gallery, New York"American Landscapes," Andrew Crispo Gallery, New York"Group Show," Galerie Jean-Pierre, Paris"Group Show," Heath Gallery, Atlanta, Georgia1978 ''20th Century American Paintings and Sculpture," Andrew Crispo Gallery, New YorkCollector's Choice, MississippiMuseum of Art, Jackson, Mississippi ''Cityscape," Oklahoma Art Center, Oklahoma City, OklahomaPermanent CollectionsMetropolitan Museum of Art, New YorkCleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OhioBrooklyn Museum, Brooklyn, New YorkNewark Museum, Newark, New JerseyMinneapolis Art Institute, Minneapolis, MinnesotaHuntsville Museum of Art, Huntsville, AlabamaAkron Art Institute, Akron, OhioSan Francisco Museum of Art, San Francisco, CaliforniaPhoenix Art Museum, Phoenix, ArizonaSanta Barbara Museum of Art, Santa Barbara, CaliforniaCorcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.New York University Collection, New YorkBaltimore Museum of Art, Baltimore, MarylandHirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Washington, D.C.The Denver Art Museum Denver, Colorado