Star Wars Art Awakens the Force of Childhood Nostalgia

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Dubbed “Childhood Revisited,” this sequence of Star Wars art by Matt Cauley was encouraged by his collection of classic Star Wars action figures.

New York artist Matt Cauley has been regarded for his superb and electrifying acrylic portraiture—but his Star Wars art takes a incredibly diverse tactic. Dubbed his Childhood Revisited sequence, the playful paintings were being inspired by the Vintage Kenner Star Wars motion figure line the artist had as a youngster.

“These paintings ended up a exciting experiment,” Cauley says. “Since nostalgia performs this sort of a big purpose in my daily life, I made a decision that rather of painting portraits of men and women, I would attempt to paint ‘portraits’ of my childhood toys. These have been the toys my mom had purchased for me some 30 to 40 several years ago, so there are all of people included reminiscences and associations with the subject subject.”

Driving the Star Wars Artwork

The paintings are designed in ink and tempera, utilizing a resist method that produces a modest feeling of type and a energetic floor though retaining a strong graphic good quality.

Here’s a stroll-by way of of the novel procedure:

1. Outline & Paint Floor: Cauley commences with a really restricted define drawing on illustration board, then uses white tempera paint to fill in all the locations exterior the line do the job. This generates a floor that is painted solely white except the place his pencil strains are still left uncovered.
2. Implement Ink: When the paint dries, he applies huge regions of ink more than the whole surface area, usually going with colors significantly darker than those people he desires in the final piece, these types of as blacks, browns, and darkish blues.
3. Rinse: When this stage dries, he positions the board in a sink less than running drinking water. Making use of his fingertips, he progressively assists the tempera paint dissolve and “sculpts” with the ink that is still left guiding. The remaining darkish inks create the illusion of possibly an engraving or a woodcut, depending on how significantly ink erodes in the course of the rinse procedure.
4. Tint: After the painting is dry, he tints areas on the board to finesse the color.

In accordance to Cauley, element of the exhilaration of performing this way is that he by no means very appreciates how the image will change out. The precise remaining search depends on split-2nd selections he makes though he’s running h2o across the impression.

Relevant: Star Wars Art: How Carl Samson Painted an Oil Portrait of Padmé

Creative Cross-Education

Cauley is similarly cozy with great artwork portraits and illustration, and he values the cross-education every single of these pursuits has presented.

“For me, it does not issue whether or not I’m painting an impression of a pal or design, or sculpting and crafting a superhero or sci-fi character,” he states. “They all use the identical basic tactics of paint, likeness, and creating of sort, regardless of the subject make a difference. My paintings are informed by my graphic design and style, just as my toy style and design is influenced by my illustration expertise. The design rules are applicable, no matter if the art goes on paper, canvas or electronic screens, or is molded in plastic.”

Certainly, Cauley’s portraits express an intense and considerate exploration of the way persons relate to the entire world and just about every other. This is certainly educated by his childhood fascination with the Star Wars narrative, in which small human dramas perform out towards a track record of epic forces.

Similar: Painting Emotions in Acrylic

What is Future in the Star Wars Artwork Assortment?

Cauley has uncovered collectors who share his enthusiasm and nostalgia, and enjoy amassing his paintings of the toys they grew up with.

“There were additional than 100 Star Wars figures produced for the vintage line, and I hope to eventually have paintings created of all of them,” suggests Cauley. “It feels great remaining capable to share these childhood memories with people today who have identical reminiscences.”

To remain up-to-date on new releases, abide by Matt Cauley on Instagram.

A version of this tale to start with appeared in Artists Journal.

Fulfill the Artist

Matt Cauley has an extensive history in the visual arts. Born in Dallas, he moved to New York in 1992 to go to Parsons Faculty of Design and style, acquiring his BFA in Illustration. When there, he uncovered a enjoy for portrait painting, and he has continued his painting studies at the Faculty of Visible Arts under the steering of renowned artist John A. Parks. guy and team exhibitions, most a short while ago at the Plaxall Gallery in Queens, N.Y. He helps make his house in New York Metropolis. In addition to portray, Cauley is also an accomplished illustrator and toy designer.

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