Adam L. Eikamp

Artist’s Statement

I call this series of paintings micro-landscapes. They are an intimate look at the landscape that surrounds us. My travel to the Grand Canyon last year inspired the subject matter. I tried to find patterns or unique areas of nature that most people overlook. I avoided the more common, grand view.

My process starts with a panel of fiberboard. I sketch the image with a pastel or colored pencil and then apply the oil paint directly to the panel like stain. The paint soaks into the panel and when it dries I can create layers. This technique allows the strands of wood in the fiberboard to show through in some areas leaving an organic texture. The natural color of the panel works as my middle values and I add highlights and shadows with complementary warm and cool colors to create dimension.

My paintings’ size and compositions are based on the Golden Section. They measure 24x39, which is a ratio of 1:1.618. This ratio is found mathematically by starting with 1 and adding 1. Then the sum and the previous number are added together. 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 56 & This is called the Fibonacci Series.

This ratio is found in all right triangles, and in geometry using just a ruler and compass. This ratio is also found everywhere in nature: the spiral of a nautilus shell, the spiral of a pinecone, or the curve of a cat’s claw. Measure yourself from head to belly button and then belly button to your foot. Then find the ratio. It will be quite close to 1:1.618.