David Johnson, A-V 2, Watercolor and Collage on Paper, 13 1/2 X 19"

Watercolor and Collage on Paper, 13 X 17 1/2"

For this diptych, Dave is playing with the phenomenon of Averted Vision - a way of looking, mostly deployed in astronomical viewing - that involves looking at an object through one's peripheral vision. 

I hope that, with these paired paintings, when you're looking at one side, your peripheral vision will take in something, some essence or a flare of a sparkle from the other side. Your brain takes it in in a different way. -D.J. 

Featuring an abstract painting on the left, and on the right a bird's claw implies a flight across the picture frame. Of the recurrence in birds in his paintings, Dave has said that he often warms up in his painting sessions by opening up an Audubon book and painting a bird form. Intrigued with their expressive shapes, he also is interested in the way they move and their connectedness with another plane:

The thing about the Audubon book - I became interested in their shapes - of their claws, their beaks, their eyes...But also there are times when I started to think about birds in terms of representing visitations from people. It kind of sounds corny, but it makes me feel like you're not alone. - D.J.