Perception Of Being

This week I’m making the final preparations for my exhibition of new paintings in my current home of Austin, Texas, getting everything framed, printed, written, and ready to go. Here’s the press release for the show, which is a two-man effort with my friend and fellow Austin artist Jeff Ensminger. Stay tuned for more information on available originals, prints and other stuff, as well as pictures from the opening party.

Nick Baxter: Perception of Being

Jeff Ensminger: Into the Void

Exhibition of new works at Mindzai Creative, 2001 South Lamar #D, Austin, TX 78704

November 21 – December 3, 2014

OPENING – 8pm – 11pm Friday, November 21

Mindzai Creative in Austin Texas is pleased to present a dual exhibition of new paintings by two Austin fine artists and tattooers, Nick Baxter and Jeff Ensminger. Both artists have worked over the past year to create a new body of work for the show, each with their own cohesive theme and symbolism. The unveiling of these paintings will take place at the Mindzai warehouse and gallery space in South Austin from 8 to 11 pm on Friday, November 21st. Both Nick and Jeff will be in attendance, with originals for sale as well as limited edition giclee prints and posters, along with live t-shirt screen printing featuring a design from each of their painting series.

Nick Baxter’s series titled Perception of Being consists of twenty oil paintings on board, each sized at 9 x 12 inches and depicting a lone human heart on a background of pure white. Each of the twenty hearts features a unique variation or visual effect representing one of the many complex emotional or feeling states of the human experience. Conceptually, this series references the philosophical study of phenomenology while also being inspired by modern scientific research into emotion-based changes in the electromagnetic fields generated by the heart. Nick reduces these ideas into a simple and universally recognized symbol in order to describe and document the ephemeral aspects of the human condition.

Jeff Ensminger’s series titled Into the Void consists of eight acrylic paintings on paper and wood, ranging in size from 12 x 12 inches to 36 x 36 inches. The paintings depict two-dimensional representations of three-dimensional black holes, also known as Penrose diagrams. These diagrams capture the relations between different points in space-time to illustrate the environment of a wormhole connecting two universes. Using green geometric grid patterns atop realistic depictions of deep space, Jeff’s series visualizes the Penrose diagram in a stylized way that is highly influenced by 70’s and 80’s science fiction films and literature.

Nick Baxter has been tattooing professionally and showing fine artworks since 2000, first in Connecticut, and since 2008 in his new home of Austin, Texas. Known for his innovative approach and color surrealist style in the tattoo medium, he has also gained recognition as a realist oil painter, having exhibited two solo shows at Last Rites Gallery in New York City since 2010, as well as in countless group exhibitions around the country and abroad. More biographical information and a complete CV can be found at www.nbaxter.comor his tattoo-focused website www.nickbaxter.com. Reach Nick via email: contact@nbaxter.com

Jeff Ensminger has been tattooing professionally and showing fine artworks in the Texas area since 2002. His tattoos and artwork are known for their balance of modern realism and traditional tattooing fundamentals, creating a unique aesthetic sensibility with time-honored craftsmanship. You can view his works at www.jeffensminger.com. Reach Jeff via email: info@jeffensminger.com

Gallery contact: atx@mindzai.net