Experienced hard edge painter Roger M. Burns
Hello Roger! You are a true veteran artist, right?
This is my third career. Art school and artist first, Designer of houses and buildings second and now artist again. With such a diverse experience in design over many years, I have seen and appreciated all aspects of creativity. It all links up and one nourishes the other. I am passionate about free creative expression and find that in my work, the influences of my building design experiences are coming through without the restrictions of reality.
What do you really like about your art style?
I paint in the hard edge style. My work is geometric yet free of restraint. I am creating images that are influenced by my experiences gained over many years of designing 3D objects. (Buildings, products, furniture and interiors) I use perspective and colour to express my ideas in a controlled but expressive format. Although influenced by buildings and the use of perspective, the freshness and vibrancy of the colours underpins the fantasy of the art which I love.
Can you explain to us your technique?
My hard edge paintings are executed with mathematical precision showing highly detailed draftsmanship. The detail of fine lines and sharp contrasts used with distorted perspective and a colour palette, challenges the viewer to “jump into the painting and live it”. Movement is another element that I explore in my work. I love to capture a snap shot in time of dynamic and moving objects. My technique: I draft the design onto canvas or MDF board as you would on a drawing board.
Every line is carefully measured and placed according to the composition. I mask the areas to be painted with frog tape and apply solid flat colour in acrylic paint. The process continues, continually masking and painting. The process can take hours and run into days. It is a very time consuming and exact process. The final touch ups to complete the painting are done with a very fine brush and the use of magnifying glasses. The sharpness of line and colour against colour must be perfect.
What is your artistic main objective?
I endeavour to make my next painting more self-satisfying than the last. I am being continuously self-critical of my work which allows me to reach a point of momentary satisfaction, then I try and improve on the last effort to see my style evolve into something different and better than the last.
Do you have an artistic guiding principle?
I want my work to evoke a sense of optimism. The paintings I produce must be fun and uncomplicated, easy to understand or alternatively challenge or query the viewer. The colours I use and the combination of the palette are vibrant, full of fun and fantasy. I want the viewer to feel good and happy after viewing my work. I want them enjoy the image and when they walk past it every day, give them a reminder of what is good in life.
Final statement
I feel very happy when I paint and even more so when I have finished my work. What starts off as a blank canvas and finishes in a complete composition never ceases to amaze me. Where do the ideas come from? How do they evolve from the smallest spark to build and build on, to change and refine until you know yes! It’s complete!
Roger M. Burns ★ Artist resume
1970’s Qualify in Industrial Design at RMIT 1980’s Design partnership with Architect 1990’s Retail design practice 2000’s Residential design practice 2010’s Building Design and development business 2020’s Fine Artist.
Thank you, Roger. That was interesting!
Instagram: @rogerburns.art
