Dallas artist Dean Corbitts gets candid with LowerOakLawn.com readers in this quick Q&A, revealing the inspiration and artistic process behind his latest exhibit, Boomerangs, now showing at Mary Tomas Studio Gallery.

What inspired you to make art with the Boomerang shape as inspiration?

My travels provide a wild array of thoughts and energies to draw upon, remembrances of past experiences influence my work. The boomerang is an icon of Australia. I used the basic shape to develop my own light-hearted icon. The pieces are a conscious effort to be more playful with my art and expand beyond the four corners of a rectangular surface. They express the feelings of my time “down below.” The size of the pieces are out of context to the real boomerang as well as the shape.

Why did you decide to make the work larger than life?

I wanted to pay homage to the boomerang and be as playful as possible with the shape. In the larger context the work provides a more contemplative atmosphere.

Talk to me a little more about your painting process. I see layered paint, carving and elements of graphic design.

The process is derived from the silk screen process where flat colors are layered over the base color. Carpenter trowels are used to apply the paint, layer by layer, with tape and stencils masking the colors beneath. At several stages of the process the surface is carved into with knives and wood cutting tools. Because it is difficult to pre-plan the compositions, the element of (my) surprise is a large part of the process.

Interacting with the many layers is important in the process. Your paper and paint assemblage pieces have a very similar rhythm; how do you come up with your designs?

The pieces develop through a process of spontaneous reactions. I trust instinct more than I execute a plan. The similarity is the thought process.

Why did you choose to sew the assemblages together?

Paper’s shape and texture changes when in contact with wet medium. The technique of sewing is completely dry, allowing the paper to retain its own character. The string is a statement of construction, the pieces have the feel of tapestry. They are heavily influenced by molas of San Blas Islands, weavings of India and Asian paper constructions.

How do you anticipate the viewer to respond?

“…more happy than sad.” Gordon Lightfoot

Dean Corbitts work can be seen through March 26th at Mary Tomas Studio Gallery Monday-Friday 10 am to 5 pm or Saturday 12 pm – 5 pm.

Mary Tomás Studio Gallery
1080 Bldg. at 1110 Dragon Street
Dallas, Texas 75207
(214) 727-5101
www.marytomas.com/studiogallery