Intuitive Poetic Realism and Abstraction Oil and Mixed Media on Panel and on Canvas
Monotypes - Custom mixed ink on paper or printable media
Mary's Comment:
"When I am in the presence of Randall LaGro, I feel that I am in the presence of greatness. Some people respond to his work immediately and with some it takes several exposures. Eventually, everyone arrives at the same place and that is that Randall LaGro is destined to be a name that endures for generations for his work. A collector once said that she did not know what to think when she first saw his work because it is beyond the ordinary expected artwork. After about three days of coming to the gallery his work dominated her attention. For those who "get it" it is a phenomenal experience to own a Randall LaGro. Beyond just the experience with his work, there is Randall himself, an amazing man. Whenever he is scheduled to show at my gallery, make a special trip. It is well worth meeting him and viewing his world class work."
"Voyage" 60 x 47 Mixed Media on Panel
"The Whispering Rain" 26 x 24 Oil on Canvas
"Origins I" 34 x 30 Mixed Media on Panel
"Pieta" 47 x 45 Mixed Media on Panel
"Repose" 46 x 35 Mixed Media on Panel Box
"The Point of Crossing" 23 x 27 Mixed Media on Panel
"Exposed on the Cliffs of the Heart" 23 x 27 Mixed Media on Panel
"Chrysalis" 45 x 55 Mixed Media on Panel
Being intuitive paintings I am often surprised in the development of a work. In this case the way the child is not separate and held by the mother, but it melds with her, I think symbolizing the very flesh of ones flesh idea. And then the Nautilus idea appeared in her belly which further expanded the thought of the connection and union to all like from sea to air even to the unseen of nature.
"You Are" 50 x 40 Mixed Media on Panel
"Tower" 50 x 40 Mixed Media on Panel
This enigmatic title came to me in the middle of the night. Seemed to me like a declaration, or a title of a Rumi poem. With the collage elements in this piece it is layered with many aspects of life. The question arises in my mind, is this being a human woman or an angel? Or because of the unique mystery of painting , she may be both. In the declaration "You Are" I feel it's an affirmation of possibility, and again the connectedness of all things.
A little about Tower. I feel it has a bit of a Primordial feel. An ancient place somewhat reminiscent of the Tower of Babel. But with the golden aspect, more of a mysterious place of beauty.
"Innocence" 46 x 36 Mixed Media on Panel
"Nature Alchemy II" 32 x 28 Mixed Media on Panel
There's a freshness and immediacy to this piece that was a joy to experience as the painter. It reminds me of the innocence of a child in relation to nature in it's youthful glory.
Side-by-side with "Nature Alchemy I" These may make a great dyptich.
"Delicate Balance I" 36 x 30 Mixed Media on Panel
"Delicate Balance II" 36 x 30 Mixed Media on Panel
These next two paintings make me think simply of the elements of nature constantly in motion from the cellular level. Things sometimes feel precarious, but there is order and a beautiful and delicate balance to it all.
"Inner Beauty" 28 x 25 Mixed Media on Panel
"Sympathetic Chain" 32 x 28 Mixed Media on Panel
"Nightingale" 32 x 28 Mixed Media on Panel
"Slip Stream" 21 x 20 Mixed Media on Panel
"Nature's Delicate Balance" 46 x 35 Mixed Media on Panel
"Gentle Spirit" 26 x 24 Mixed Media on Panel
"The Bay" 28 x 26 Mixed Media on Panel
"Peace" 20 x 21 Mixed Media on Panel
"The Last of a Species" 26 x 24 Mixed Media on Panel
"The Great Adventure" 36 x 66 Mixed Media on Panel
Artist's Statement
"I’m interested in the layered and often latent facets of our humanity. Working with different mediums intuitively, my work invites someone to look inside who they are and perhaps discover hidden aspects of themselves. I think of my work as a poetic gesture, inviting the viewer to examine within; to think, to wonder and to imagine.
I think of different mediums as languages. Working with them intuitively is like learning how to construct words that will communicate clearly. It is a process of listening and making marks or placing objects in a way that creates connections that resonate with me and perhaps strike a chord in the viewer. I wonder, “What are the seeds that we share in our consciousness?” Rather than express a specific idea, I think of my work as a poetic gesture, inviting the viewer to examine within; to think, to wonder and to imagine."
Randall LaGro
"Observing with concern these times in which we are living weighs on my mind as I continue on the path of what I consider the artist’s calling. Rather than being reactionary to political or social issues, I am returning to the course of intuitive painting with an empathetic appeal to our humanity. I find that we possess dichotomous natures: glorious and volatile, earthly and spiritual capacities. Thus, the surfaces I paint are layered like a tapestry, reflective of our lives. Beginning completely abstract, I work fast and immediate—only considering balance, harmony, and color with an order above chaos. Into this volcanic under-painting, images tend to appear referencing the material world. This juxtaposition between abstract and reality can be read as multiple metaphors. But, what I am conveying is the fact that everything is in constant movement. Rather than perfectly caressed brush strokes making an image, I celebrate the endearing awkwardness of being human, along with the elegance. The paint is thrown, scratched, and slashed. Sand or mica is often thrown in, as well as, dry pigments and gold leaf. Art is more about evidences, rather than conclusions. Therefore, the paintings are impressions excavated from materials and the dance and battle pushed to and fro in the experience of painting. I listen and remain open to impulse and guidance, yet leaving room for mystery in the movement of the paint. Images are often transparent, or morphing into something else, as well as evolving or growing. I trust there is a balance keeping each piece from flying off into oblivion, just as we anchor ourselves in the cosmos and chaos. It is about living in a delicate equilibrium, in a precarious yet beautiful balance, and ever in a state of becoming." Randall LaGro
A monotype is a form of printmaking which, put simply, utilizes oil based inks pressed into wet paper. These are more permanent and archival than your typical drawings with which the medium stays on the surface of the sheet. As the name suggests, monotypes are one of a kind and irreproducible. An image is created on glass and then printed in the fiber of paper.
Anyone who has attempted this craft knows that it is far more difficult than it sounds. Randall Lagro, having established his own private printing studio has afforded himself the time to truly push this art form. The result is the most subtle of details, the ability for Lagro to transfer his intuitive approach with painting to the ink, the addition of color to this traditionally black and white art form, and the creative illusion of layers unseen in other modern monotypes.
The detail in Lagro’s monotypes is so fine that standard photography does it no justice. These museum quality prints must be viewed in person to be completely appreciated. Please stop in or arrange an appointment with the Mary Martin Gallery of Fine Art to view our collection of over 30 framed and unframed monotypes available from the Randall Lagro collection.
Entering LaGro’s studio Entering Randall LaGro’s studio is an experience in itself.On a hill in Taos, NM and up a gravel drive, the adobe dwelling was the studio of Joseph Sharp.It is fitting that it is the studio of Randall LaGro. He has collected hundreds of items from antique shops and estate sales far and near each bringing some type of story of its life and inspiration for the artist. The two story studio with a north wall of windows is covered with paintings in progress, books, paints, brushes and antique objects and other materials.
Randall LaGro is endowed with an unusual talent where his works are often equal parts of the conscious and subconscious world. Randall somehow reaches into the soul of humanity and is able to paint every dream you have ever had, every experience you have shared.He is a poet.He is an artist.He is the common man.He is an artist. He is a philosopher.He is the noble thought within us. The power of his work lies within his heart and mind and transfers to his work and then to the viewer.
Viewing LaGro monotypes is like stepping into the surface and finding yourself in another world and it could remind you of the adventures of Alice in Wonderland.It is a journey. These works are drawn from the subconscious of both the artist and the viewer.As your eyes cover the surface of the monotype you may find yourself looking to the left into one world and to the right into another one.Looking down you may see a river that runs through your life with you on board with your menagerie of memories.If you peer out the window you could be looking on early flight and the future.It is a multisensory process but all in your mind. You may see uncommon beauty of a woman next to the freedom of a window with a curtain blowing back showing a view into the subconscious of your mind. In another area you could see the dissipation of a potentate next to the most beautiful of gateways but leading where?You can find an exquisite face of a woman swathed in an exotic headdress rising from a ship and sailing through a Venetian canal of centuries ago.Viewing his monotypes is like a trip through the centuries of man’s presence on the earth.The power of his monotypes can almost be felt physically.
What is a Monotype? It is a print created as an original work of art directly on a press. There is only one.
Randall LaGro is unique in the world of monotypes. Mixing his own inks and using creative papers, Randall is able to use very fine detail and at the same time abstract arrangements. It is not uncommon for people, flowers, birds, and curtains and windows floating withing a context of another world contrived from his mind reaching for the spiritual of this world and others. We have a selection of unframed pieces as well as framed ones. This is worth a trip to Charleston.
The Young Artist 25 x 34
The photography of these pieces for this web site do not begin to do them justice. Come by the Mary Martin Gallery at 103 Broad Street, Charleston, SC to see these works in person. We have both framed and unframed pieces. These are extraordinary works of art. With Randall's career one would have a hard time predicting whether he will be known best for his oil paintings or for his monotypes.
"Flower and Vase" 25 x 34
"Spirit of the Train" 19 x 17.5
"The Young Artist" 25 x 34
"Awake in the Night" 19 x 17.5
"Children of the Stars" 10 x 10
"Echo Series #11" 10 x 10
"Guardian I" 19 x 17.5
"Guardian II" 19.5 x 17
"Mother and Child" 19 x 17.5
"Studio" 10 x 10
"The Dance" 19 x 17.5
"The Gallery II" 19 x 17.5
"The Gate of Man" 19 x 17.5
"The House of Mirrors" 10 x 10
"The Poet II" 19 x 17.5
"The Structure of a Dream" 19 x 17.5
"Three Graces" 19 x 17.5
"Under Currents" 10 x 10
"Voluptous" 19 x 17.5
"World of Wonder" 10 x 10
"Poet 1" 19 x 17.5
Mary Martin Gallery I is located on 103 Broad Street, Charleston, SC 29401 843-723-0303
Mary Martin Gallery IIis located at 143 East Bay Street, Charleston, SC 29401
Mary Martin has collections of art showing at the Andell Inn - Kiawah Island, Bella Grace, the Harbour Club, The Vendue, Holy City Brewery, Amish Furniture, and other venues. Mary Martin Galleries have been selected as the best galleries in South Carolina for eleven years in a row and in the top 20 galleries in the nation, Also, selected as the best gallery by several local publications.