The Tom Howse 'Fantastic Salad' series is a trip into a dark dream.
The 'Fantastic Salad' series is dulled in color scheme but grandiose in composition. The subjects of each work are fantastical, as if remembered from some sort of circus nightmare. Subjects are simply rendered, with thick, spontaneous brushwork and childlike lines. The emotional engagement appears to be an afterthought, as though Howse had been completely enraptured in the act of painting before realizing the depth of his work. The result is a compilation of abstract works featuring haunting personality and foregrounded narratives. The artist discusses his paintings on his site: "If I want my own heroes or villains I can try and paint them."
Tom Howse has a wonderfully abstract mind and has masterfully applied his whimsical nature to canvas.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Fantastical Art
- Opportunity to disrupt traditional art forms by pushing the boundaries of abstract art with fantastical subjects and narratives.
- Non-traditional Color Schemes
- Opportunity to disrupt the traditional art world by exploring the use of non-traditional color schemes that evoke emotions and create new meanings for the viewer.
- Emotional Engagement as an Afterthought
- Opportunity to disrupt the notion that emotional engagement must be a focus in art, by creating works that prioritize the act of painting over the emotional connection to the subject matter.
Where This Applies
- Art
- Artists can leverage the use of fantastical subjects and non-traditional color schemes to create new and unique pieces.
- Interior Design
- Interior designers can incorporate fantastical art pieces into spaces to evoke emotion and create a unique and captivating atmosphere for guests.
- Entertainment
- Entertainment industries can use the concept of terrifying, yet fantastical imagery to create immersive experiences for guests and viewers.
