Kim Cogan Tackles The Iconic Manhattan Bridge

1xRUN Thru Interview
Manhattan Bridge With Fog by Kim Cogan

1xRUN: Tell us a little bit about this piece, was it part of a recent show that you had?
Kim Cogan: “Manhattan Bridge with Fog,” is an artwork that was included in my 2011 solo exhibition. The painting has sold and is in a private collection.

1xRUN: When was the piece created and what materials were used?
Kim Cogan: I worked for a few months off and on for this piece from 2010 to 2011 using oil on canvas. The original dimensions are 72″ X 52″ inches.

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1xRUN: Anything immediate you would like us to highlight?
Kim Cogan: At first glance one notices the obvious, but upon a closer look beyond the color and glow of the lights, the painting conveys character and provokes a mood, insight to a deeper thought or memory.

1xRUN: Tell us how the idea and execution came about?
Kim Cogan: The idea came about from several different visits to New York, and  the bridge as a subject matter has also been a metaphoric symbol to incorporate into my artwork.  Initially I had shot a few photographs but ended up revisiting because I wanted to portray the bridge under misty diffused lighting and capture its true natural color.

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1xRUN: What is unique about this piece?
Kim Cogan: Each artwork I create is never duplicated and is therefore one of a kind. What sets this painting apart from others is the way the light is portrayed and the luminous color. The dramatic composition and perspective creating depth, the bold brushstrokes and layering of paint and the mood.

1xRUN: Why should people buy this print?
Kim Cogan: It’s a great alternative to getting a piece of my artwork hanging on your wall.

1xRUN: Describe this piece in one gut reaction word.
Kim Cogan: Gateway.

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1xRUN: You recently posted some photos of you bringing your easel outside to paint some of these pieces. To you, what is better (or different) about working in the actual environment rather than from a reference photo?
Kim Cogan: It’s the difference of being inside experiencing the photo as a whole as opposed to just looking at a photographic surface. I work both from life and photographic reference or a combination of the two, each method having pros and cons. Through either process I tend to create an image which is less accurate but visceral.

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1xRUN: Have you been painting outside for a while or is that a recent switch?
Kim Cogan: I don’t get to paint outdoors often, but more recently I have been making more of an effort to work on location. By observing your surroundings you learn, so if there is the slightest lesson to be learned from the voyages, I deem it as well worth the effort.

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1xRUN: Do your habits change from indoors to outdoors while you’re painting?
Kim Cogan: An untrained eye will want to render every detail but you won’t have that time while working on location, you are forced to think critically in the moment and make quick decisions because of natures unpredictability. Constant observation teaches the eye how to convey light, form, depth through simply stated brushstrokes.

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1xRUN: Give us some insight into your last show, how did things go?
Kim Cogan: Executing a concept, creating a fresh new body of artwork and having an exhibition is always a monumental mark for an artist. I consider the show to be most important and my best work to date. It is another step to learn and be more expressive, creative, and ultimately improve as an artist. The show was reviewed by art critic Kenneth Baker, for San Francisco Chronicle.

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1xRUN: What else is on the horizon the next 2-3 months for you and for 2014?
Kim Cogan: Arcadia Contemporary, my representing gallery will be participating in the LA Art Show in January 2014 and will be bringing along some of my newest artworks. We will be doing a group exhibition May 2014.

kim-kogan-041xRUN: Anything else you want to touch on?
Kim Cogan: Thank you 1xRUN, I greatly appreciate your efforts.

1xRUN: Where else can people find you?
Kim Cogan: WebsiteBlogFacebookTwitter

-1xRUN