Jonah Burlingame, a San Francisco based artist, creates mixed media paintings composed of stunning organic textures that are balanced by architectural lines.  His distinct style of suspending layers of paint and other materials in varnish rewards viewers with a multi-dimensional world they can melt into and explore.

Burlingame's unique process of applying paint and varnish in very thin layers, using non traditional implements such as window squeegees, 14" drywall blades, and windshield wipers is self-discovered.  Within this process, he has left plenty of opportunity for chance - and refers to it as "controlling the accident".  By allowing for chance within his process, Burlingame constantly challenges himself with new problems, and thus is repeatedly questioning his creative direction. 

Through his recent journey to evolve his work stylistically, Burlingame has adopted new materials and methods of working. Inspiration came from the recurring presence in his life of the film and soundtrack of “A Clockwork Orange”. White molded plastic, aluminum, fiberglass, and deep glossy finishes came to his mind’s eye, which later led to influences which he reduced to basic elements such as color, composition and texture with the addition of materials such as fiberglass cloth and aluminum foil. Themes of transformation, action, and distress have provided new opportunities to impact his process. Rich color fields and organic textures are juxtaposed with graphic lines that seek to show a balance of energy and tranquility, creating a vibe that is both ethereal and precise.  The titles of his works add yet another layer of abstraction, rather than provide clues of any intended meaning.  The subject of Burlingame's work continues to be the work itself, ultimately offering his work for the viewer’s own interpretation.