Timothy Tompkins’ work is executed on 1/8” thick aluminum panels using high gloss commercial enamels that enhance the liquid qualities of the paint. His paintings are a metaphor for his LA surroundings: the imagery, scenes of ordinary markets and buildings, is simultaneously hyper-real and manufactured. The original image is an existing photograph from his past, the media or one his own set-up photographs. They are then intentionally blurred, simplified and translated by hand on the aluminum. The liquid state of the paint is more evident with enamel paint because when it’s dry, the traced contours of the image remain. This quality gives a transitory effect to the piece, as if the image is still forming.  His newer series studies the sale racks at stores like Target.

2004, American Landscape, commercial grade enamel on aluminum, 48 x 72”

2005, Interstate Sublime - Green Hills, commercial grade enamel on aluminum, 48 x 72”

Timothy Tompkins

2004, Interstate Sublime - Palm, commercial grade enamel on aluminum, 48 x 72”

2006, Left Overs - Winter v. 11, commercial grade enamel on aluminum, 177 x 147 cm

2006, Left Overs - February v. 3, commercial grade enamel on aluminum, 139 x 185 cm

2006, Left Overs - Summer v. 6, commercial grade enamel on aluminum, 127 x 203 cm

2006, Left Overs - Fall v. 2, commercial grade enamel on aluminum, 152 x 228 cm