“The Empress” (2020) stands as a testament to both technical mastery and spiritual inquiry, merging the time-honored tradition of Automatic Drawing with a contemporary, mixed-media approach. Measuring an imposing 24 by 48 inches, this oil and acrylic painting, enriched with gold leaf and marker, commands attention not only for its scale but for the profound sense of presence it exudes.
Kire, a singular figure in the evolution of Automatic Drawing, brings four decades of dedicated exploration to bear on this work. The process—initiated by a spontaneous, unpremeditated line—unfolds with a sense of inevitability. The artist’s hand, guided by intuition rather than intention, accentuates and highlights the original scribble, not altering its course. The resulting composition is a tapestry of intertwining curves and organic forms, culminating in the subtle emergence of a face. This visage, neither forced nor contrived, appears as a revelation—an image summoned from a higher order, as if the canvas itself demanded its presence.
The use of gold leaf is particularly striking, imbuing the work with a luminous, almost sacred aura. The reflective surface interacts with ambient light, shifting the painting’s mood throughout the day and inviting repeated contemplation. The interplay of oil and acrylic provides both depth and vibrancy, while the marker lines retain the immediacy and authenticity of the original automatic gesture.
What distinguishes “The Empress” is not merely its technical virtuosity, but the palpable sense of calling that underpins its creation. Kire’s assertion that the process is a calling, not a talent, is evident in the work’s spiritual resonance. The painting transcends the boundaries of self-expression, functioning instead as a conduit for something greater—an archetype of regality, wisdom, and introspection.
The museum-quality execution ensures that “The Empress” will endure, both physically and conceptually, for generations. It is a masterpiece that bridges the gap between the subconscious and the sublime, offering viewers not just an image, but an experience—a moment of revelation that lingers long after the initial encounter.
In “The Empress,” Michael Kire has not only honored the legacy of Automatic Drawing but has elevated it, producing a work that is as timeless as it is timely. This painting is destined to become a touchstone for collectors and institutions seeking art that challenges, inspires, and endures.
For close ups and behind scenes in the creative process, please visit: https://youtu.be/jmdTAHdARVs
“The Empress” (2020) stands as a testament to both technical mastery and spiritual inquiry, merging the time-honored tradition of Automatic Drawing with a contemporary, mixed-media approach. Measuring an imposing 24 by 48 inches, this oil and acrylic painting, enriched with gold leaf and marker, commands attention not only for its scale but for the profound sense of presence it exudes.
Kire, a singular figure in the evolution of Automatic Drawing, brings four decades of dedicated exploration to bear on this work. The process—initiated by a spontaneous, unpremeditated line—unfolds with a sense of inevitability. The artist’s hand, guided by intuition rather than intention, accentuates and highlights the original scribble, not altering its course. The resulting composition is a tapestry of intertwining curves and organic forms, culminating in the subtle emergence of a face. This visage, neither forced nor contrived, appears as a revelation—an image summoned from a higher order, as if the canvas itself demanded its presence.
The use of gold leaf is particularly striking, imbuing the work with a luminous, almost sacred aura. The reflective surface interacts with ambient light, shifting the painting’s mood throughout the day and inviting repeated contemplation. The interplay of oil and acrylic provides both depth and vibrancy, while the marker lines retain the immediacy and authenticity of the original automatic gesture.
What distinguishes “The Empress” is not merely its technical virtuosity, but the palpable sense of calling that underpins its creation. Kire’s assertion that the process is a calling, not a talent, is evident in the work’s spiritual resonance. The painting transcends the boundaries of self-expression, functioning instead as a conduit for something greater—an archetype of regality, wisdom, and introspection.
The museum-quality execution ensures that “The Empress” will endure, both physically and conceptually, for generations. It is a masterpiece that bridges the gap between the subconscious and the sublime, offering viewers not just an image, but an experience—a moment of revelation that lingers long after the initial encounter.
In “The Empress,” Michael Kire has not only honored the legacy of Automatic Drawing but has elevated it, producing a work that is as timeless as it is timely. This painting is destined to become a touchstone for collectors and institutions seeking art that challenges, inspires, and endures.
For close ups and behind scenes in the creative process, please visit: https://youtu.be/jmdTAHdARVs
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