Bracing Practice Painting

Evan Ishmael (b. 1985) is a visual artist based in Brooklyn, NY. A background in sculpture and design allows Evan to explore the properties of non-traditional materials in his paintings, using soot residue from a flame as a constant. Combining experimental components with traditional techniques and a minimalist aesthetic, he elevates the functionality of everyday items to create distinctive works of art that push the boundaries of an intensively restrictive medium. Evan says of his process: "My work has always centered around the exploration of form. What started as an attempt to explore a new medium has evolved into a fascination with more complicated compositions. I begin each piece by envisioning myself building an organic object—sometimes a towering form, other times delicate or minimal ones. I continue to push my own limits with size as well as content.”