“That’s one thing that’s always, like, been a difference between…the performing arts, and being a painter….A painter does a painting, and he paints it, and that’s it, you know. He has the joy of creating it, it hangs on a wall, and somebody buys it, and maybe somebody buys it again….But he never, you know, nobody ever said to Van Gogh, ‘Paint a Starry Night again, man!’ You know? He painted it, and that was it.” – Joni Mitchell
Have you been repeatedly fired? Gotten dumped? Run over an animal? It hasn’t been your day, your week, your month or even your year…but don’t panic! Do the opposite of panicking: channel Vincent Van Gogh, grab some paints and all will be well. The universe is in charge and wants to take care of you.
It does seem to be taking care of painter Ed Belbruno, a recent presenter at TEDx Jackson Hole. Belbruno told his story, a tale involving a long series of personal trajectories (the path followed by a projectile flying or an object moving under the action of given forces) plotting spacial trajectories. He landed himself on art’s moon. Oh, and through his painting, he plotted the first chaos route (see Stanford’s Encyclopedia of Philosophy explanation of chaos theory here) to the moon, a route ultimately used to rescue an off-course Japanese spacecraft. “Doing the opposite” of what people normally do in times of crisis saved a space mission as well as his own career, Belbruno told his audience.
Belbruno began working with oils at the age of seven, and later in life submersed himself in art training at New London, Connecticut’s Mitchell College.
“My training is a combination of being self-taught and [formal] art classes. I took a number of classes in Paris in the 80’s at the Artists al la Bastille organization, in particular under the direction of the French artist Alan Schenck. I gave art classes, on painting, at New York University in the late 70’s; now I am just too busy making paintings. I would say my [art education] is 50% self-taught, 50% formal training,” says Belbruno.
Belbruno is returning to Jackson and opening an exhibition of new works at Intencions Gallery. Promoting “Cosmically Conscious Art,” Belbruno’s kick-off reception takes place Thursday, December 5, 5-8 pm. The exhibition runs through the end of December; the public is invited to attend the opening and welcomed to visit and view the artist’s work during the exhibition’s course.
“Painting allows me to tap into a very intuitive and non-rational part of my brain,” says Belbruno. “It’s the opposite of math and enables great bursts of counter-intuition. Intencions Gallery is the perfect space for my art. When you open yourself up to the Universe and ask for help, great things happen.” Belbruno’s TEDx talk is available on line; click here.
Belbruno is drawn to Van Gogh’s work; I have not seen Belbruno’s art first hand, but his paintings appear to be created very quickly, and are abstract in that what we are seeing, or asked to see, is often not immediately apparent. His story helps us understand why he paints in the style he does, a style marked by intense energy and zeal for discovery. A documentary on Belbruno has been submitted to Sundance; we’ll see what the universe has in store for the film! www.belbrunoart.com www.Intencions.com
•
The Jackson Hole Art Auction is already actively seeking consignments for 2014’s auction event! It takes a year to produce one of these auctions; the amount of expertise, curatorial work, cataloging, pre-producing, marketing, research, communications and sheer physical effort is truly unimaginable to those unfamiliar with the world of major auctions. The Jackson Hole Art Auction has quickly risen to become one of the most important Western Art auctions in Jackson Hole, the most important Western Art market.
High quality Western, Wildlife and Sporting Art are sought, and interested consigners may contact the auction for a “no obligation” auction estimate; the staff is happy to assist with shipping and logistics. To find out more, simply email [email protected] or phone the auction offices at 866.549.9278. www.jacksonholeartauction.com
Tammy Christel 
