Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Christian Faur: Childhood Fantasies

(Above) Euler, 2007
4773 Hand cast encaustic crayons
19.5 in x 19.5 in.


(Above) Poppies , 2007
4773 Hand cast encaustic crayons

19.5 in x 19.5 in.


(Above) Experiment 5 , 2008
Hand cast encaustic crayons

12 x 12 inches

(Above) Experiment 5 , 2008 side view
Hand cast encaustic crayons

12 x 12 inches


(Above) Experiment 5 , 2008 detail
Hand cast encaustic crayons

12 x 12 inches


(Above) Girl, 2008
Hand Cast Encaustic Crayons

19.5 in x 19.5 in


(Above) Boy, 2008
Hand Cast Encaustic Crayons

19.5 in x 19.5 in


(Above) Girl, 2008
Hand Cast Encaustic Crayons

19.5 in x 19.5 in

(Above) Arnie, 2007
Hand Cast Encaustic Crayons

19.5 in x 19.5 in.

(Above) Untitled 6500, 2006
Hand Cast Encaustic Crayons

19.5 in x 19.5 in.


(Above) Untitled 6500 - detail, 2006

WHO DOESN’T HAVE A FONDNESS FOR CRAYONS? CRAYONS HAVE THAT SWEET SMELL YOU NEVER FORGET. And I’m not talking about these current day intentionally scented crayons. I’m talking about the original, unadulterated Crayola crayons.

Crayons were probably the first drawing tool we used as children, possibly the first beginnings of a child’s visual creative efforts. I can remember my first set of Crayola 64’s. It might have been around 1958. I would have been in the first grade then. Sixty-four crayons with colors I had yet to even imagine! Colors like Periwinkle, Pine Green, Prussian Blue, Indian Red, Apricot and Thistle launched my creative life.


Can you remember how awesome it was to open that big box of crayons for the very first time? I do. Each little colored head sticking straight up in perfect order. As hard as I tried to put each crayon back in its exact spot, invariably they got out of order. I learned to live with that, but eventually another disappointment would occur. I would break one. Oh-h-h the humanity! The beginnings of self-inflicted disappointment. Early training for the real world.


One more thing. I contend that the 64 box of Crayola crayons were part of my early recognition of what it meant to have a collection of something. Yep. This box with the cool die cut lid was a collection of the most beautiful colors in the world. In some ways, I hated to even use them. Neatly arranged in rows, I am absolutely sure that the Crayola 64 box planted an early seed in my life which grew into my very serious collecting of things as an adult.

Artist Christian Faur creates his own crayons to exact color specifications and uses them in spectacular pointillist creations. His work is marvelous in concept, smart and deeper than meets the eye. I am sure that Faur has found great sales success and accolades with his crayon works, but based on the depth, sophistication and variation of his past work and other series, I’d say that Faur will always be exploring new series of paintings for us to marvel at.

10 comments:

Leslie Hanna said...

This is amazing, And I still have a box of 64 crayolas.

ackstay said...

This is really wonderful. Makes me think of the Mr. Rogers where he brought us to the crayon factory. Been addicted to crayons ever since.

paperbatty said...

Thanks, John. You brought back the papery, waxy smell of my first box of crayons.

Lydia Fiedler said...

Amazing. A coworker and I were just talking yesterday about how we were too poor for the box of 64! Coveted them though!

Hannah Stephenson said...

WOW, just love it!

Yes, the smell of crayons, and also--Play-Doh!

John Foster said...

Thanks to all for your comments: I am happy about the fond recollections of all. To Lydia, I know the feeling. I did get a box of 64 for birthday or Christmas, so they were very special. Otherwise, I had to deal with my box of 12, shut up and learn to blend.

Amanda said...

Now I feel like buying a box of crayolas... One of my co-workers actually has a car that smells just like crayons. I feel nostalgic whenever I ride in it!

Great post.

Maureen said...

Funny, when I first looked at the opening image, I thought it was M&M's.

Anonymous said...

Amazing talent...Crayons kept me coloring and out of trouble...Gary

saim said...

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