Casey Roberts: “a bigger, brighter place”

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Casey Roberts: “a bigger, brighter place”

December 8, 2008 by Chris

casey-roberts-surf_sprayed_rainbow1

Casey Roberts is showing new cyanotypes at AV Framing Gallery in Indianapolis through January 24, 2009.

Posted in Not Painting, Painting | Tagged Art, AV Framing Gallery, Casey Roberts, Cyanotypes, Indiana, Indianapolis | 18 Comments

18 Responses

on December 8, 2008 at 9:10 am | Reply Sam K

Well, he is still kicking ass. These are surprisingly evocative. Looking at the one with the whales, I immediately thought of being underwater when it’s raining.
on December 8, 2008 at 10:06 am | Reply Norbert Marszalek

I really like Casey’s work. They have a beautiful folksy feel to them. I actually bought one earlier this year – –
on December 8, 2008 at 10:43 am | Reply Chris

Congratulations, Norbert. I envy you living with one. I’m curious…someone told me that Casey Roberts’s cyanotypes glow in the dark? Do these? Does yours, Norbert?
on December 8, 2008 at 11:02 am | Reply Norbert Marszalek

I have not noticed the piece glowing in the dark…(I will pay more attention though when the lights are out.)
I know that prints that have faded due to prolonged exposure to light can often be restored to their original tone by temporarily storing them in a dark space.
on December 8, 2008 at 3:36 pm | Reply carla

I’ve always like Casey’s work. I was also impressed by this gallery. The space is broken into a couple viewing areas, with a couple extra niches, and owner Sarah Adams was very gracious.
on December 9, 2008 at 9:37 am | Reply Sarah Adams, owner of AV Framing Gallery

Thanks Carla, that’s very nice of you to say!
Chris, in answer to your question of glow-in-the-dark Roberts pieces, the first large painting you encounter when entering the gallery (“Peace and Love” with the many-colored moths) glows for a reported 12 hours after being exposed to some UV light. During our opening, I turned out the lights a couple of times to allow viewers to enjoy this!
The show runs through January 24, 2009–please come by!
on December 10, 2008 at 7:29 pm | Reply Scott

Having shared my studio with Casey these past two+ years, I can speak a bit on his process and the questions concerning the “glow in the dark” aspect of his work. Only a few of his works incorporate any form of “glow in the dark” elements. The use of “glow in the dark” pigment has been used on occasion for a couple years now, typically in a subtle way. You would most likely not notice it in the work unless it was pointed out to you, or (more obviously) if the lights were out. “Glow in the dark” elements may simply be a few select snow flakes (in a field of snow flakes) pigmented to reveal a hidden message of sorts, be it a word, phrase or a symbol such as a heart. Personally, I look at his use of these “glow in the dark” elements as simply hidden treats for the person who happens upon them. I am looking forward to his work in 2009.
on December 11, 2008 at 8:49 am | Reply carla

I’ve been dabbling some with phosphorescent paint. Anyone know whether Casey’s using zinc-sulfide or strontium?

With all respect for this being a subtle added element to the work, I may have to go back and view with my pocket blacklight.
on December 11, 2008 at 11:03 am | Reply Chris

the indianapolis glow-in-dark school…iridescentists?
on December 11, 2008 at 12:52 pm | Reply Sam K

Pocket blacklight?

Is that so you can properly light a “1990s-era teenager’s bedroom” diorama? Because if those exist, I now know what everybody’s getting for Christmas.
on December 11, 2008 at 1:43 pm | Reply carla

Have we really solved the Hoosier regional identity issue? I’m putting that on today’s list and crossing it off.

The pocket blacklight purchase was made in a pet store where it was billed as a stink finder….I would advise that one never ever look at their living quarters under this light.
on December 11, 2008 at 1:45 pm | Reply carla

…I’m now imagining that teenage diorama in way too much detail.
on December 11, 2008 at 2:09 pm | Reply Sam K

I did get this picture in my head of Carla having some kind of OCD motel-stay issues when traveling…which could lead to some sweet deals on room upgrades..?
on December 24, 2008 at 12:23 pm | Reply John April

Your work is important.
on December 24, 2008 at 12:42 pm | Reply Chris

It makes me really happy that Casey’s work gets this kind of simple, honest and sincere response. It makes me happy because this is the kind of response I have to Casey’s work.

Sometimes my issue with the blog here is I’m afraid we give off a vibe like, no response to art is valid unless it contains 500 words of theoretical jargon, pedagogical debate, buzzwords and all that. I love those discussions. I love the debates. I admit that I say things I only truly mean about 75% just to keep those going sometimes. Because I learn a lot from those discussions..

But…

I don’t think we give ourselves to simple enjoyment often enough.
on December 24, 2008 at 12:44 pm | Reply Chris

I enjoy Casey Roberts’ work the same way that I enjoy Peanut Butter Smoothies. Or Soy Nog, to be more seasonally appropriate. There, I said it.
on December 31, 2008 at 12:00 pm | Reply jen

that wasn’t so difficult now, was it? way to own up.
on December 13, 2011 at 7:10 pm | Reply jen

still such good paintings.