Eric Stoner is an artist that creates three-dimensional art collages that work perfectly in a world in which we each consume about 10,000 images a day. To achieve such an impact it takes him two to five or even ten years to complete one of his pieces until he feels comfortable to reveal them to the public. No, it is not comparable to tedious work like re-creating the Taj Mahal with toothpicks. Instead, Eric gives every detail a meaning for your pleasure to discover. Stoner’s collages include everything from his astrological chart interwoven with classic images from masters like Pieter Bruegel’s Tower of Babel to images from his main job as a photographer and teacher at Laguna College of Art + Design. This multimedia artist can elaborate on the connection between how his words, music, and photographs interact with his artworks. His love, detail, and function in his depiction of stories are undeniable. Eric is wonderful in explaining his work without highfalutin jargon or parables. I have rarely seen an artist that is so self-aware and can explain his process and work that the viewer understands it crystal clear. Eric Stoner’s work is super engaging and his images conjure up continuously one story after another. He is a perfectionist that draws from nature and at the same time can explain the imperfections in his work. Did I mention he is very self-aware of his process?
This is what art should do today. To be relevant, fresh, beautiful, eye-catching and a carefully constructed symphony of light and dark subjects. To my surprise, Eric is an artist that can curate his own work and it is hung the right way. You feel you can just walk into his world. I wish everyone can see this kind of art to experience art’s power, magic, and beauty. I can't wait till his work gets discovered because Eric deserves a place with the greats. Go see the show, but don’t be surprised if you spend hours looking at the details and contexts of his work. Eric Stoner’s show “Moving At A Snail's Pace In Geologic Time” at the Irvine Fine Arts Center, 14321 Yale Avenue, Irvine CA 92604 until August 11th.
Multimedia artist Michaell Magrutsche has written three art books and facilitates art workshops for finding the artist’s creative voice.
SelfAwareArt.com
