Opulence 12

Kringen, born in Los Angeles in 1992, spent his early life across the American West and Mexico, eventually settling in Sonoma County. Each unique environment shaped his aesthetic sense, with a pronounced interest in observing the intricacies of human interaction. In high school, he dabbled in illustration and graphic design, benefiting from his mother’s artistic guidance. She taught him about composition, typography, and the interplay of positive and negative spaces. He employed old-school methods, akin to Bauhaus principles, valuing perfection and diligence. Starting his painting journey at 14, Kringen emphasized drawing, meticulously studying vintage anatomy atlases. His deep exploration led to a profound understanding of human figures, revealing both intuition and mastery in his works. Using acrylic, mixed media, and a Micron pen, he creates layered compositions, occasionally integrating gold and silver leaf, reminiscent of Gustav Klimt's mosaic works. Klimt and Egon Schiele significantly influence him. 2011 marked a stylistic evolution for Kringen, merging drawing with painting, creating fragmented visuals. This wasn’t merely about style but a unique way he perceived reality. He captures not just the beauty but the very essence of his subjects, focusing on their idiosyncrasies and true characters. His portraits deviate from the idealized, instead delving into psychological depths, using fragmented lines and grids for clarity and definition. His abstracts, meanwhile, simplify perception to basic elements like form, color, and texture, blending the grandeur of Abstract Expressionism with the precision of geometric painting. Overall, Kringen's art harmoniously melds technical prowess with evocative themes, probing the boundaries of the visible and invisible.