Mickey Bond
Born in Israel to holocaust survivors (from Poland & Bulgaria) I was raised in west suburban Boston, attended Colgate University as an undergraduate and later received an MA in American Literature from the University of Michigan. I have lived in Santa Fe since 1994. In New Mexico, I am represented by Matrix Arts Santa Fe & Chroma Studios Gallery in Albuquerque. I am co-owner of Straw House Gallery, located in the historic Amado Territory Rancch in Amado, AZ.
My paintings reflect my daily response to nature's beauty, her dynamic forces and the mystery of creation. I work plein air as much as possible and in all weathers, even if that means only sketching in my car. I work in two styles: abstract landscape paintings and mixed media abstracts. Though both derive from the same plein air experience, the landscapes evoke a sense of place and mood whereas the abstracts explore an essential aspect of nature such as the sea, sky and land.
My abstract series “Bottom of An Ancient Sea,” suggests sea life as it might have existed in a mythic, primordial state, when New Mexico was underwater perhaps. I've imagined a place of glittering light and motion where life forms are inchoate and elusive. I know that my imagery was deeply influenced by a swim last summer over coral encrusted rocks in Hawaii, where a sea turtle led the way. I've used translucent handmade paper from Thailand and Japan featuring banana, mango and Unryu (mulberry) fibers. Casein, acrylic paint and acrylic medium, combine with the translucent papers to form diaphanous layers and passages where forms float and seem to sway.
As an abstract expressionist,I prize mark making highly and allow my compositions to grow out of direct contact with my painting media. I do use brushes but mainly non-traditional such as scrapers, cloths, sponges, knives and primarily my hands.
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