Original works for your enjoyment and reflection.
Original works for your enjoyment and reflection.
Original works for your enjoyment and reflection.
"My work usually arises from
one of two sources. One is the 'what happens if I do this' kind of beginning, starting with a
letter, a shape, or a doodle, an idea that I adjust, flip, fold and fiddle with until I believe
the resulting composition merits committing to paper or canvas.
"Then there's a deeper, more elemental source, a point of origin that we all know of, and may
sometimes look upon with trepidation (if we can bring ourselves to look at all.) Everyone has
thoughts that are difficult to express in words, feelings that we might not be able to talk about
to our closest friends, family, companions or spouses. Sometimes we ourselves refuse to see them,
or are uneasy about facing them alone.
"I have tried to communicate these thoughts and feelings directly, from the heart of the image
creator to the heart of the viewer, without the need for an intermediary. By doing so, I not only
have the satisfaction of self-expression, I hold the hope that someone will make that direct
connection and realize that they are not alone in their uncertainties.
"I am dismayed when I hear people say they feel as though they don't know enough about art to
appreciate it. It is my intention to make a direct connection to the viewer in a way that doesn't
require she or he be trained in the arts, or even have to think (if possible.) Although the works
will have some appeal to the intellect, the main objective of the message is the heart.
"If there is indeed a message to be found in my painting, my hope is that the message is sensed
or felt by the viewer rather than analyzed or decoded, in the way that a soft touch on the shoulder
can convey understandings that words cannot."
My paintings are most often acrylics on stretched canvas, but they may be acrylics or gouache
on paper as well. Sometimes other media, such as pastels, watercolors or colored pencil are
combined with the acrylics to give a desired result.
If you look at my paintings, you may not at first feel that there is a consistent style. It is
not necessarily my chief aim to create a "Waldmann look" for posterity. I have so many ideas, and
may not have time to do a series of variations on the same themes. If time permits, I will
revisit these ideas later to explore the many possibilities. That could be great fun.
It is my most sincere wish that people have an opportunity to view my work, and hopefully, share
their feelings and impressions with me. To create the possibilities of communication and shared
experiences is the most important purpose of my works. Please don't feel as though you must want
to buy to drop by. Visit, look at my work, and let me know what you think... good or bad.
I also write (mostly poetry)
and have considered work on some other concepts. The poems, like my paintings, are inspired by my thoughts, experiences and feelings.
The other works come (in other ways) from my experiences, thoughts I think I'd like to pass on
to my children, and other times I may have wrestled with my conscience or needed to explore
further those things that concerned me deeply.
People who know me casually or from my business are often surprised by the intensity of my
works, and the depth of emotion they reveal. I suspect many of us are actually like that, with
feelings so powerful and deep that we feel we can't comfortably discuss or display them in our
daily lives, even to those who are closest to us.
If you would like to write to me about painting, writing or the things that interest you, I can be reached by e-mail here. I'm looking forward to hearing from you.
"Reflections of an Ordinary Man"