Katelyn Price Formal Analysis November 11, 2013 Eileen Turan Artist in a Tree (2009) by George Dombek Watercolor

and graphite on paper Viewed at the Arkansas Arts Center; Face to Face exhibition, Collection of Jackye and Curtis Finch, Jr. Artist in a Tree George Dombeks piece titled Artist in a Tree represents the artist, himself, in a tree. This piece was created in 2009 and is presently located at the Arkansas Arts Center and a part of the Face to Face exhibition, which is a collection of Jackye and Curtis Finch, Jr. Dombeks artwork of Artist in a Tree was originally in Fayetteville, Arkansas, also where his studio is located. This artwork consists of watercolor and graphite on paper, and can only be seen from one side because it is displayed on the wall. The medium of Dombeks work is not naturalistic. Instead it is distinctive and abstract. The artwork is framed with other artworks surrounding both sides. The lighting is somewhat dim throughout the whole Face to Face gallery, giving it a relaxing and calming tone. The artwork by George Dombek titled Artist in a Tree is a very basic piece with only two colors throughout the whole work of art. The title describes this artwork very well an artist in a tree. There are three large branches with numerous twigs from each one. Sitting in the tree is an outline, with a few

features, of the artist. The golden yellow leaves outline the shape of his head to represent his hair. There are many artistic elements that contribute to Dombeks artwork. Lines, which are paths traced by moving point, illustrate every detailed branch and twig that stem from the three main trees. The lines portray sense of movement throughout the whimsical trees. Static, dynamic, and organic lines are all demonstrated in Artist in a Tree, as well. Static lines are represented by the horizontal twigs and branches that flow across the artwork. Dynamic lines are displayed by the diagonal lines, or branches, that guides the viewers eyes across the scene. Organic lines can be demonstrated by the outline of the golden leaves. The leaves are also organic shapes due to their natural, less defined edges and the fact that they visually suggest nature. The white background is a representation of negative space, which is the area around and between the subject. The negative space is irregular, creating interest and variety. This piece of art is not composed of a variety of colors. There are the colors of brown and a golden yellow, which are contrasting colors, and also give off contrasting moods. Golden yellow stands out when aligned with brown. While brown sets off a more dull tone, yellow spices it up a bit. Dombek adds variety to the color scheme by adjusting the values of brown. Two different textures, or tactile qualities, are demonstrated. The actual texture, which can be defined as the surface which the artwork was drawn on, would be the paper Dombek used for this particular artwork.

Dombek uses implied texture, or the illusion of texture, in his art to suggest bark on the trees and branches. This is created by the different color values. Dark brown and light brown indicate the bark on the trees to create the implied texture. The principles of design, or the organization of the elements of art, are used in Dombeks work. Unity, which can be defined as the appearance or feeling that all elements of an artwork can create a coherent whole, are displayed by the repetition of the trees and limbs. Variety, or the diversity in an image, is demonstrated by the various sizes of all the branches. Although the trees and branches are repeated throughout the artwork, the image has variety in orientation, focus, and value. All of the branches stemming from the trees could have become overwhelming, but the decision of creating numerous sizes and quantities helped maintain a steady balance and rhythm throughout the artwork. Some branches are horizontal, while others are vertical and diagonal. We expect balance in areas of life, so we should expect it in an artwork, as well. Balance is achieved when there is equilibrium, and this is based on the visual weight. In Dombeks artwork, the balance is asymmetrical, which occurs when two sides of the artwork do not match, but have various elements or ideas that balance the visual weight. The right side of this piece seems heavier than the left, but the overlapping and use of many twigs and branches evenly distribute the balance.

Scale, the size relationship of one object to another is even throughout Dombeks art. The size of his body is a good size compared to the trees. This would be easier to identify if the man was actually sitting on a branch. Therefore, we could determine the size of the man based on the size of the branch he was sitting on. The relationship of the mans head and body are examples of proportion. Repetition is displayed by the repeating of the branches. The elements of art are essential factors that all contribute to the final artwork. Lines, space, color, and texture, along with other elements, all come together to complete the final product. I believe that Dombek chose the factors he did to create a distinctive style that is abstract, but also correlated it with nature. This correlates with nature for the fact that he is sitting in a tree and golden leaves represent the strands of his hair.