W.S. Cranmore
“I feel every opportunity must be taken to draw the eye to the art of W.S. Cranmore.” Elvis Costello (Singer/Songwriter)
Considering the centrifugal role that music plays in W.S. Cranmore's process in making Art, there could be no greater accolade than that from a musician and one of W.S. Cranmore’s musical inspirations.
W.S. Cranmore’s artworks are known for their distinctive geometric patterns, bold lines and borders, and nontraditional composition. At the intersection of Expressionism, Geometric Abstraction and Pop Art, W.S. Cranmore’s artworks meld early modernist with later post-modernist influences. His art invites subjective interpretation, emotional introspection and personal appreciation, telling personal stories and re-imagining memories in a uniquely unconventional way.
But it would be incorrect to say these artworks are created with a specific goal in mind. Instead, Cranmore focuses on the process, letting the paintings imagine themselves into being along a creative journey that starts and ends with music.
W.S. Cranmore’s approach to Art is to let the image come to him and for the image evolve through a completely abstract process – led by emotions and feelings evoked by music.
Cranmore harnesses the power of creativity-inspiring ‘white noise’ sound – ambient tracks with no beat, understated melody and no lyrics.
Like the blank canvas before the artist, the music is a starting point from which the painting expresses itself. “Ambient music in particular is like the musical equivalent to abstract expressionism and some of my most inspired work has been created to ambient music.”
Music remains core to the process throughout, with a particular track that ’speaks to the emergence of the art’ played until the painting is done – or until it has fully expressed itself.
“I paint with a piece of music that connects with the art. It’s through the music that I will find out the rest of the painting.”
The importance of music is extended to the viewer of the painting – who is also sometimes invited to play a particular piece of music while viewing an artwork.
This being how Elvis Costello came to own one of W.S. Cranmore’s paintings.
“I happened upon ‘Our Lady of the Signal’ with the enigmatic footnote that the image should be paired with my old song ‘Kid About It’ – a melody composed of that wretched day on which John Lennon left this earth. I am happy to say that ‘Our Lady Of The Signal’ will now hang on my wall and I will share my day with the work of W.S. Cranmore.”
Over a career spanning more than a decade, W.S. Cranmore’s paintings have been the subject of three solo exhibitions – his first at the Red Fox Lounge, Portland; then Milwaukie City Hall and at The Brassworks Annex, Portland, where he was one of the very few abstract artists to ever have a solo show.
Cranmore’s artworks have also been included in in over a dozen group exhibitions, including annual exhibitions three years in a row at the Big 500 Art Show – one of the largest art exhibitions in the Pacific North West, and have been featured in a number of art auctions held to raise funds for charitable organizations in the United States – including Non-Profit Organizations ‘Gravity Water’ and the ‘Halo Arts Project’.
W.S. Cranmore has also completed artworks for album covers – including for English Rock Group ‘The Procedures’, and American Indie Rock Band ‘Mass Solo Revolt’ (2021 album ‘Sea Of Inches’).
The Artist and his work have also been featured in a number of print and online art magazine publications and blogs and Cranmore’s artworks can be found in public and private collections across the United States and in five countries around the world.
“W.S. Cranmore has an amazing sense for composition and color. He presents us with beautifully designed images that are, not only inspiring, but reminiscent of architecture, industrial design, modern day technology, and computer motherboards. With a great awareness of contemporary art, these images display a masterful control, and are always exceptionally intriguing.” Lorena Malm, Curator at Affinity Art Group.
“Cranmore creates a sympathetic space for our internal and external emotional communication because he positions himself as a fellow traveler and not a guide.” John Crowther, Independent Art Critic.
W.S. Cranmore lives in Milwaukie, Oregon. Of Irish heritage, he (who used to own and operate a Celtic Music promotion company ‘67 Music’) is also an Irish Language enthusiast.
When not painting, the Artist enjoys spending time with his family, and “watching his daughters grow into independent human beings.”
Thank you very much for your review. I appreciate it greatly.
I love to hear about what viewers see in the work, thank you. I’m right there with you too, I see an aerial view of a city. Maybe a crow looking down on the rooftops as he flies.
Thank you kindly, I’m glad it connects with you 🙏
Such a nice comment, thank you. Thank you for following, I’ve really enjoying your artworks.
I truly enjoy reading your critiques Mr. Crowther, thank you for your words on The Audacity. It is always an honor. Hope you have a great weekend.
Mr. Crowther, thank you for your incredibly well written critique of my painting. I’m honored and very happy you connect with the piece. Sometimes I wish there were more art fans and critics such as yourself who had a passion for critique. But, I’m also glad that you’re one of the few. I would be honored with a less than favorable critique from you just because I know it’s genuine.
Glad you dig them. Thanks for the compliment.
Thank you once again, Mr. Crowther, for your generous and insightful critique. It is always a joy to hear the perspectives of others when they view my work. In particular, I was intrigued by your comments on the dole. That was something I did not consider and I love that viewpoint. When I begin a painting, I try to empty my mind if distractions and current issues so that images, thoughts, and memories can come forward. I’ve found that much of my work seems to be memories of places. The abstract look is from many memories competing for canvas space. “A Dole, A Flight, Or A Piteousness “ recalls places I grew up in and around in Michigan- Flint, Detroit, Northern Michigan, etc. There was a person I remember who cared for doves in Flint, I’ll always remember their cooing, that’s where the title comes from- a dole, a flight, or a piteousness are names for groups of doves. Hope this reply wasn’t too long. Thanks again and best regards.
A very intriguing piece that allows one to explore. The colors, lines, depth, and shape stopped me from scrolling to really take in the visuals. Well done, no of my favorites I’ve seen on this site.
Always an honor to receive your kind words, Lorena. Thank you very much for this.
Mr. Crowther,
I can’t tell you how honored I am for your critique of Aspects Of William. For an emerging artist such as myself it is inspiring to know there are those out there who get where I’m coming from. Thank you very much for taking the time, it is quite appreciated.
Regards,
W.S. Cranmore
Very nice! Lush color and dreamlike composition. I like the title too.
An attention grabbing piece, great old and depth. Well done.