Baagøe Jepsen

Changes

Posted on April 30, 2024April 30, 2024 by Peter Baagøe Jepsen

*Triptych, 1© Peter Baagøe Jepsen. 23 x 245 cm acrylic on canvas.*

While planning and thinking out this project, much of my focus was on discovering the potential and nature of the canvas. Instead of the usual flat, and mostly discrete role as a ground to hold paint, canvas holds enough character and aesthetic qualities to be a lead player once a third dimension is added. Letting the canvas have a voice does however make it nearly impossible to ignore the more sculpturally inclined canvas, if applying any other media.

While tempting to let the sculptural qualities of the canvas get all the attention and leave it blank– allowing light and shadow to make its own art, I went through many stages before deciding. Any approach to painting these structures had not only to justify the sculptural qualities but be a means to help the viewer truly see, and appreciate the aesthetics of both shape and chroma, or there would be no balance.

But, after a lengthy process–I’m finally at peace with the result.

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The rectangular dimensions listed with the photo, are only for crating and shipping purposes. If “Changes” is to be displayed as in the above photo it measures a full 254 cm from top to bottom.

Getting a little closer and on a slight angle, should help improve the perception of what otherwise could be seen as an entirely two-dimensional object?

The arduous process required to bring about these structures makes photographing them seem like a reward, frequently opening up an all new perspective to me. Once transferred to a two-dimensional format, the different viewing angles takes on a unique character, with an entirely new aesthetic value–conceptually connected, yet entirely separate from the original.

Light… and the Darkness

Posted on April 30, 2024April 30, 2024 by Peter Baagøe Jepsen

The Darkness…

To fully appreciate and see the light, there must be darkness. Aside from the dynamics of aesthetics, far too many of us battle some form of metaphoric darkness. The news, politics and shady politicians, catastrophes, terrorism, crime and wars all bring plenty of darkness to our lives. and like a figure, beautifully innocent to all the darkness but bare, exposed and vulnerable, we all have very little to withstand the overwhelming darkness all around us. Today’s world can make it difficult to hold on to self worth, self respect, motivation and even a joy of life. That’s darkness.

But… there’s light

It’s easy to forget how light changes almost everything. There’s a renewing power in light, it brings hope encouragement, strength—and life.

Living in Scandinavia, summers are short, sun and light is appreciated by most—myself included—it just feels good and in light there’s beauty. This makes me look to the light for so many reasons and visually—well, light is essential and while fearing to repeat myself, beautiful.

in this setting, the light so perfectly defined the pure lines of the figure that I stopped everything and immediately asked the model to hold still—to which she promptly replied that she was quite comfortable where she was and wasn’t about to move anytime soon. The sun was nice and warm and she figured she could lay there all day—besides, she said (tongue in cheek)… it’s a nice little break away from the kids.

Wanting to remove all distractions and to make the light stand out more clearly, I toned down all color— essentially to the point of the composition being monochromatic, nearly without any middle tones. This left the beautifully lit torso almost drowning in overpowering darkness, with just enough light to draw our eyes to the clearly defined contours—though sufficiently lit in contrast to the surrounding darkness to allow an innate yet intangible light to remain, and shine.

… and, that’s the light.

To bring the light to life, only an ultimate stark contrast could make that light shine–aesthetically and metaphorically. When in the depth of darkness, light becomes a rare, sometimes barely visible treasure—yet with the potential to push back even the most overwhelming darkness, a darkness so intense as to seemingly allow no light, threatening to suffocate all life–that’s when light shows its true worth and strength. But, there must be darkness for light to truly shine.

3-D painting on canvas

Rainy Day Monday

Posted on April 29, 2024April 30, 2024 by Peter Baagøe Jepsen

When I first photographed this piece in the garden for my Instagram account, it quickly became a matter of timing, wiping off drops of rain and rushing to take more pictures before the next drops began to fall. I finally thought we had succeeded and posted the pictures, only to find that the painting still had some droplets left, some partly wiped off and others not so much. After all the work preceding my rainy day photo session, a few drops of rain ended up giving name to the piece.

Before I had to fight the weather to photograph this piece, it had to be formed, first in my mind and then in the studio. I wanted to free myself from the conventions while still using conventional tools to do so, and what could be more conventional than paint and canvas in art–so that’s where I began.

The canvas, often referred to as ground, typically given a barely mentioned passive role and stretcher bars, discrete supports for the ground, could instead be called on as media, all working together, not to just carry a medium but all be equally significant media.

Much thought and experimentation came before the actual conceptualization of my idea but I wanted paint, canvas and stretcher bars to be media–all merged into one expression. For canvas and stretcher bars to be considered of value, their characteristics had to be considered and properly displayed to qualify as media.

But, with multiple media there must be a balance and when both stretcher bars and canvas explode into view, demanding attention, the painting must be equally explosive.

Photographed under different circumstances, away from the rain and using in-house lighting, here is my first realization of what began as merely an idea, challenging myself, wondering if in bringing out the characteristics of canvas, how far it would stretch–and still not rip or get wobbles (the rips and wobbles are maybe for another painting, another day.)

3-D painting on canvas

Rainy Day Monday (details)

Posted on April 29, 2024April 30, 2024 by Peter Baagøe Jepsen

“Rainy Day Monday” Diptych (detail #1,) acrylic paint on a 3D canvas.

I wanted to show the nature of the canvas, taking it to the extremes as in life’s highs and the lows. Colors, some more pleasant and harmonious and others not so much—almost in random chaos, like those events around us that color our days, with sometimes bright cheer and other times rather undefinable hues—yet still following those forever unavoidable, highs and lows.

My attempts at trying to control my photos of this piece soon became a loosing battle, that instead served to show its true nature, with form and chroma both struggling to dominate. The tension in the fauve colors demands to be seen, though constantly suppressed by the multifaceted canvas, ready to reflect any incidental light. Depending on available light, the composition migh insist that you see form over color, making the experience entirely dependent on where and how it’s displayed.

I added a band of subdued yellow, that all depending on the viewer can hold a multiple of meanings. But, no heart or set of eyes are the same, as are no two lives—our difficulties vary, as does our hopes and needs.

“Rainy Day Monday” Diptych (detail #2,) acrylic paint on a 3D canvas.

Using close-up details of “Rainy Day Monday,” I wanted to share the experience and dynamics of this piece, changing my angle of approach as much as possible from photo to photo. For the sake of authenticity and honest depiction, I used daylight lamps (5500/5600 Kelvin) and allowed the light from my garden window to blend with the light of the lamps, still the colors varied from photo to photo? It may seem unlikely but I’ve used no altering filters, to fully allow viewing to be as natural as a camera possibly can.

“Rainy Day Monday” Diptych (detail #3,) acrylic paint on a 3D canvas.

“Rainy Day Monday” Diptych (detail #4,) acrylic paint on a 3D canvas.

“Rainy Day Monday” Diptych (detail #5,) acrylic paint on a 3D canvas.

The colors of detail # 4 and 5 are the closest to how I see them myself in the painting, I hope that helps?

Acrylic paint on canvas, Female Figure

Form, Light and Shadow

Posted on April 29, 2024April 30, 2024 by Peter Baagøe Jepsen

I see human anatomy and form as the most impressive work of art there is. We make choices and accessorize—some to blend in, some to stand out from the crowd. Regardless of our attempts to enhance, disguise or cover our anatomy, there’s no escaping that our particular anatomy to a great extent serves in describing our person. We can add personality, education, degrees of fitness, layer up with expensive makeup and haute couture but the characteristics of our person and figure remain the same—our figure is very much about who we are, our person and that’s what I seek to draw attention to with much of my work.

I’ve typically focused on the human experience, intending to bring a quiet and perhaps peaceful feeling or mood across to the viewer by composing the figure accordingly—but not this time.

Here I addressed the figure, beautiful as it may be all on its own—as a medium, not so much a person, not expressing a feeling or setting a mood but as a medium to serve an aesthetic aim.

I aimed to sculpt the intrinsic qualities of the figure: form, light and shadow into a new and almost independent object of art—and I quite like the result.

Acrylic paint on canvas, Female Figure

In the Light

Posted on April 27, 2024April 30, 2024 by Peter Baagøe Jepsen

“In the Light” © Peter Baagøe Jepsen, Acrylic on canvas, 139 x 123 cm (54¾” x 48½) Unframed

The cold and solid stone walls, nearly a millennium old would seem impenetrable if not for a small humble window, yet sufficient for life and warmth to pass. Once inside, the light awakens the room with life.

The connection between figure and light lends significance to the light, so perfectly defining the beauty of the figure as it competes with the light itself for the viewer’s attention.

The the monochrome and cool tones of the room in stark contrast to the strength of life shown by the chromatically strong warmth of the female figure, that even at its unprotected and most vulnerable state can bring life to the coldest and darkest surroundings.

Acrylic paint on canvas, Female Figure

Maestoso

Posted on April 27, 2024April 30, 2024 by Peter Baagøe Jepsen

Spring is all about the return of light, and that deep warmth of the sun, once again bringing hope and rejuvenation after a long winter.

As we emerge from hibernation, reclaiming our gardens, it’s difficult to resist that life-giving light. The sun seems to warm our very souls, bringing fresh colors and beauty to our surroundings, making it nearly impossible to hold back a little smile. A relaxing day in the sun. warms not only our bodies but also our hearts, reminding us how much we’ve missed the strength found in light.

This piece is to celebrate spring, as we recover from a long and cold winter, the universal inclination to step outside, embrace the returning light, feel the warmth—to fully take in the rejuvenating rays of the sun after a long dark Winter.

As an artist, I find great inspiration in the human form and what better way to celebrate tis beauty and expression than bathed in the warming sunlight of Spring. The beauty of the human figure and its limitless potential for expression through body language, a powerful medium in itself, is what draws me to work with it. Body language holds the potential to express what words cannot, and this is a responsibility I take seriously in my work.

I meticulously direct the use of body language in my paintings, working carefully with the model to create a piece that expresses the emotion and feeling that we often struggle to put into words. In the case of “Maestosa,” the pose of the figure exudes an inner strength and confidence for the viewer to comfortably share, in a moment of peace of mind and inner fortitude, ready for whatever life may bring.

Acrylic paint on canvas, Female Figure

Saturday Morning

Posted on April 26, 2024April 30, 2024 by Peter Baagøe Jepsen

While I can never come close to create anything as beautiful as the human form, I try to share my perception in such a way as help the viewer see that same beauty in a different light, with a different set of eyes.

I was impressed with how the bright sun becomes its own aesthetic, defining the figure while adding an almost marble-like tone to the skin and I’m rather pleased with the result. Much to the models surprise, I gave her red hair in this painting but it just seemed the right thing to do?

My admiration for the figure should never be misunderstood as ambition to imitate the function of a camera, and why should I? The camera already does accurate depictions expertly, much faster and without compare.

Instead I merely aim to share my respect and admiration for the endless variations of beauty I see in people around me.

Acrylic paint on canvas, Female Figure

Adagio

Posted on April 25, 2024April 30, 2024 by Peter Baagøe Jepsen

Sunny days allows us to better see color, perhaps more so after a long dark winter but with color comes impact. Strong colors might dominate and become a distraction—I had to quiet down the colors, hoping to bring attention to the more ethereal qualities of light itself, while including the feeling of that deep warmth of sunlight as it reaches even your innermost core.

Then as if this moment was made just for this particular model, the light and the model came together in a perfect symbiosis, stretching and posed to express both the relaxing warmth of sunlight and that deep inner lift from being in the sun—the feeling that everything is just right.

Soaking in the sunlight is a marvelous feeling, and I wanted to share that feeling, the energy found in light—a warmth that goes right to the bone, fueling life itself.

It’s a good day in the sun, easy to enjoy—relaxing and recharging. It’s is really all about that feeling of being just you in the warmth of the sun, with no disruptions or distractions.

Acrylic paint on canvas, Female Figure

“January”

Posted on April 24, 2024April 30, 2024 by Peter Baagøe Jepsen

By seeking a more universal representation of the figure and excluding all but the actual torso, I hoped to give credit to the sculptural qualities of the female form and not let the aesthetics be an obstacle to the feelings of the piece.

The emotive qualities were however my top priority. Although perhaps entirely too ambitious, I was looking to depict the inner solace found at the core of total acceptance–not just by others but also oneself.

The cooler tones dominating the piece while the composition eliminates all but a faceless torso, is to make viewing it a less personal and more universal experience, creating a comfortable distance for the viewer to enter the space, and relate.