Andrew Norris | Available

2017-2021, 36” x 48” Oils on Birch Panel, Framed by @tjapkesart

What a friendship, full of a spectrum of emojis and emotions! @andrew.norris.arts and I can’t pin down when/where we met, but best guesses take us back to festivals in 2014. My old roommate @veryverysaucey has a piece that he made in 2013! His progress in paint has been motivating and fun to watch. I’m pleased to have such a close relationship now, being next door neighbors with sister dogs.

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“HypeGnosis” is a powerful image for the times. Featuring a beautiful land/seascape, and pop icons pulled from social media, Andrew is known for weaving in elements of pareidolia; a psychological phenomenon where the mind perceives a familiar pattern in something where none actually exists, like looking at a cloud and seeing a dragon (it was painted over).

•Hype / hīp/ noun. “Extravagant or intensive publicity or promotion”

•Gno•sis / ‘nō-ses/ noun. “1. The Greek word for knowledge, especially of spiritual mysteries 2. In chaos magic, an altered state of consciousness in which a person’s mind is focused on only one point, thought or goal and all other thoughts are thrust out.”

•Hyp•no•sis / hip-nōses/ noun. “The induction of a state of consciousness in which a person loses the power of voluntary action and becomes highly responsive to suggestion or direction.”

The irony of posting this art with commentary about the psychological effects of social media, on social media, is palpable.

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This piece has been slowly stewing since 2017, and the key transformations it has gone through speak to Norris honing his craft and refining his vision:

•My big takeaway, is Andrew referring to a concept that “less is more” in psychedelic art; many pieces try to jam pack as many subjects and as much detail into every square inch of canvas. All it does it distract your eye and make images look “busy” with no central focal points. Sometimes the most effective images are very concise, with a couple central subjects or themes, and details rendered to support those main points. This piece was GREATLY refined and simplified over time.

•Textures/highlights and shadows/glazing are on point! The “Swipe Up” icon parting the sea like Moses is glazed immaculately over the cresting waves