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Tom Taffel's Abstract Expressionist Paintings
On January 27, 2020, I enrolled at San Francisco State University, in Professor Chris Finley’s advanced painting class:
“The Expanded Field – Finding Your Voice,” ART 530 (Contemporary approaches and concern in painting practice).
The nine oil painted canvases below measure 16" x 20"
Chris Finley's ART CRITIQUE CHECKLIST
Finished: Does the painting appear to be finished? Are some areas painted better than other areas? Do any elements seem rushed or less considered?
Title of the Painting: What is the title of the painting? What does it tell you about the painting and how does it influence your interpretation?
Subject Matter: Does the painting have a subject? Is it unusual, unexpected, controversial, intriguing or provocative? Do you understand the symbolism in the painting? Is the subject easily identifiable or is the meaning hidden? Does the painting capture your attention and cause you to want to spend time with it? Or is it too generic? Is it a quick read? Do you have an opinion of the subject? Is the subject confusing?
Visual Description: What is happening in the painting? What is taking place? Who is doing what? Describe what you see.
Formal Description: Talk about lines tone, texture, shape, movement, scale, contrast, color.
Emotional Response From Viewer: Does the painting generate an emotional reaction in you? Identify the emotion. How does the painting succeed in creating an emotional response?
Composition: How has the artist employed elements of composition to manipulate the eye and the mind? Describe what you see. How have the elements of the painting been placed? What is where? Consider foreground, background, middle, top, bottom, between, etc.
Methods Employed: How is the paint applied? What is the support the painting is painted on? How does the application or material choices affect content or viewer response?
Skill: What level of technical skill does the artist display?
Style: Is there a particular style in which the painting is made, that is unique to the artist? If so, describe it. Is the style similar to another artist?
Medium: What was used to create the painting? What has the artist done with the possibilities presented by their choice of medium?
Color: How has color been employed and to what effect? Has color been used realistically or used to convey emotion? Has color been used skillfully or are there areas that might benefit from further work?
Suggestions: If the artist were to remake this painting, what might they do to improve it? How can ideas in the painting be further developed? What if this painting was the start of a series? What might the artist do next?
Discussion: Paintings sometimes generate larger discussions of social issues, personal experiences and other topics that the artist did not consciously intend. These discussions can sometimes appear to veer off-topic. However, they often facilitate artistic growth for the artist and for the viewer. Please look for these opportunities during critique, take note of thoughts that occur to you and present these thoughts when appropriate. A good critique can take many directions. Opposing ideas are useful. Sometimes thoughts that seem trivial useful.
Professor Chris Finley on old and new colors:
Hi Tom,
The Old Master Colors tend to make everything look darker and a bit murky.
It might be a useful exercise to make a painting with only Contemporary Colors and then make the same painting with Old Master Colors.
Chris
Old Master Colors
Yellow Ochre
Burnt Sienna
Zinc White
Sap Green
Burnt Umber
Ultramarine Blue
Contemporary Colors
Lemon Yellow
Cerulean Blue
Phthalo Blue
Magenta
Cadmium Red
Cadmium Yellow
May 9, 2020
Many professors are never forgotten. Some professors change lives, while a few save lives …. Chris Finley is in that class: truly a professor’s professor.
At age 72, my life was undeniably a life well-lived and successful by all measure. There was nothing more I needed to accomplish or prove. My accomplishments were noteworthy and well noted, leaving a laudable legacy behind, including, (and most important to me), the impact my years of teaching had on my students.
But accolades, luxury, world-travel, and success were not fortitude enough to combat and overcome the incapacitating depression and physically debilitating pain caused by many aspects of the “Trump Era.” For me, it was an all-consuming, 24-hour hell, exacerbated by my penchant for social activism. I could find no relief: spiritual, material, or medical from the mental distress I was experiencing.
“Physician, heal thyself.” (Luke 4:23) My countless talks and metaphysical articles, published in numerous journals, and uploaded to websites on “Spirituality” as well as other topics …. didn’t, (unfortunately), apply to me. I couldn’t escape the quagmire of my own thinking and inability to change my faltering world. For the first time, I felt sidelined, helpless, and hopeless. But that was about to change.
As a “College of Extended Learning” student, I entered Chris Finley’s classroom on January 27, 2020 – about to have a life-changing experience. Googling “Chris Finley,” was a pleasantly overwhelming experience. His accolades were as impressive as his talents.
I was instantly inspired. The moment I met Chris, I knew my life was about to change. I knew I was in the right place at the right time …. (he inspired that much confidence) …. and I knew I was exactly where I needed to be – and I wanted to be nowhere else. Forty-five years of procrastination – due to career demands and priorities – was behind me. I was ready to paint!
I felt like a graduate student again – filled with awe and enthusiasm - listening to a Master …. able to expertly communicate on multiple levels, simultaneously.
Outstanding communicators don’t simply talk, they impart - knowing the right thing to say, in just the right way, at precisely the right time. That was my experience with Chris. He could read my thoughts – and I, his …. at times, in utter silence.
Chris uncovered “my (artistic) voice,” a voice I never knew I had. In the curtailed Spring semester at SFSU – (due to Coronavirus, Covid-19), I painted 24 paintings. I can’t imagine what a full semester would have produced. But every moment was precious and unforgettable - a hologram of sorts. Chris impelled me to grow exponentially, both personally and artistically, as I discovered a new depth of communication – exceeding my own expectations.
As I continuously travel around the world, my motto: “I am the world through which I walk” rings true. Chris Finley’s teaching has been an essential part of my journey, and his wisdom has not left me, where it found me.
Without reservation, I can candidly say that my life has been changed …. and indeed saved by the knowledge, dedication, professionalism, and masterfulness of Professor Chris Finley.
Tom Taffel
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May 9, 2020
Dearest Tom, this is beautifully written; it speaks very clearly to how much you enjoyed Chris Finley's class, how much you enjoyed Chris.
This is the way words should be written when describing something that has had a lasting impact, and more importantly (in your case),
brought about a big life change. What a beautiful story, Tom. I got tears reading it. Your gratitude is dancing right
across the page, for all the world to see.
Much love,
Erika
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June 18, 2020
Tom and Bill dearest ones, thank you so much for our wonderful art viewing afternoon we both agree with Bill that there is a true artist in
that charming house. We had such a lovely time, and we love you both.
Thank you,
Drue & Cherie
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September 14, 2020
Dear Tom,
I am overwhelmed by your paintings: they are (you are) extraordinary, fascinating, remarkable with your use of line, color, movement. I can really tell they come from very deep emotions within you. Thank you so much for sharing these with me. You are one of a kind, an example to all of us that one can recreate his life, his work, his direction...at any age.
All the best, always,
Grace
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