There Is No Time In Space

             There Is No Time In Space, 7 & 1/2" X 10 & 3/4", Sharpie on paper, August 2013

My first exposure to what is known as Op Art was through the work of Jim Steranko. I was not aware of it until I was in my mid-twenties, but his covers for the late '60's run of Nick Fury Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. featured homages to some of his personal favorite artists, such as Salvador Dali, Will Eisner, Edna Andrade, Reginald Neal, and Bridget Riley, all of whom were proponents of Op Art at one time or another.

The first Op Art painting I actually put my own eyeballs on was at a contemporary art show held at the San Diego Museum of Art sometime in the mid-'70's, when I was but a wee lad (I think I was 10).

The painting, which I only faintly recall, was of a pattern of black and white squares that seemed to undulate on the canvas. I was fascinated by the effect the piece had on my depth perception and the illusion of motion it possessed.

That was the earliest I can recall saying to myself "I can do that" while looking at artwork hanging in a gallery. 

So I did, all the time, on my book covers, Pee-Chee folders, notebooks, etc.

I lost interest in Op Art by the time I graduated High School, but for whatever reason I seem to be creating a lot of Op Art doodles lately. 

Kinda fun.