Calaj

Category: General

Two Forms

Two Forms Differing from the previous series where each took a side and worked out our own composition using an unrestricted number of forms, we now worked together as a single artist, both seeing the two connected canvases as one open field. Further investigating the relevance...

Union

As our new skills and knowledge developed, our work became more and more compatible. Once again we decided to paint together. Taking two canvases of the same size and attaching them, not aligned but offset or jogged, as in a T, our object was to integrate, each one taking a side but...

The Lottery

The Lottery At this point, still working independently, we began to bring our paintings together for criticism. Seeing the strong similarities, we discovered the possibility of joining the canvases together as a dypticht, creating a random whole. Carrying the idea of random into...

The Steps

The Steps We continued our artistic relationship working independently yet in a similar style and on the same size canvas’, 32”x32”. Producing many paintings lead to inspired conversations and recognition of a shared philosophy. Giving and receiving each other’s...

From Process to Ritual - Beginning

Beginning Meeting on Monday nights to work together on the same canvas we began a collaboration. With no rules, each taking a turn applying their mark, we started. Alternating between two large paintings we soon discovered that we were having trouble coming to a...

From Process to Ritual

Coming Together Coming together through a recognition of a strong similarity in our painting techniques, we shared a love of process and the physically energetic Abstract Expressionist style. This process, a high energy, impulsive expression of the unconscious involved freely extracting and...

The Cycle of Enthusiasm

Having an opportunity to create two paintings of difficult size to build and transport, I realized the constraints I had to ponder yet I felt the spark of enthusiasm. Knowing the value of enthusiasm, I ponder little and allow the enthusiasm to replace judgment and fuel the endeavor. The...

"Vitality"

“Vitality” The organic arrangement of the painting, unrestrained by the perimeters of the canvas transmits vitality, energy happening now. Organic arrangement, the result of an authentic expression of the human spirit, is free from commentary, personal ideas and...

Written Reflections on Ritual "Treading"

“Treading” Nature’s structure is it’s cycles. Within it’s structure are infinite variations, the wonders that awaken us to life. In the realm of nature no two moments are the same. Treading nature’s cycle, released from the...

The Receptive

"The Receptive" Held together by a force beyond human knowledge, the exotic system is the residue of spiritual motion. Motion creates new situations, providing new experience for the receptive.

Written Reflections on Ritual by Calaj

We're beginning our series of written reflections with "Joyous". All our writings regard our ritual painting process, the meditation. Each writing focuses on a different aspect of ritual as a means to tap into the source of creativity and was inspired by it's accompanying painting. ...

Creative Collaboration - Calaj Paintings

Calaj | Two artists of a similar temperament, working together, sharing philosophies, discovery, technique and process. From this creative pairing, a ritualistic practice of painting developed. In the process Calaj painting becomes a personal meditation for the...

Calaj Contemporary Art