Tube Painting (acrylic and spray paint on 18"x24" panel)
Artist: John Potter
"Tube" is a vibrant contemporary painting and a key piece within an ongoing series dedicated to the artistic possibilities of linear halftones. In this body of work, these custom, structured lines are not merely a technique but the central visual language, exploring how systematic marks can build form, texture, and meaning.
The painting draws its conceptual foundation from a pivotal moment in modern history. It is inspired by the famous metaphor, “Once the toothpaste is out of the tube, it’s awfully hard to get it back in,” a phrase cemented in public consciousness during the Watergate era. This idea of an irreversible act, a point of no return, informs the artwork on multiple levels. It resonates within the chosen imagery of the paint tube itself, a vessel of potential, and echoes in the decisive, process-oriented nature of applying both line and color. Once a mark is made, it becomes a permanent part of the work’s history.
Visually, "Tube" is an exercise in controlled intensity. It employs a fiercely bright and saturated color palette, channeling the boldness and direct visual appeal found in street art to create an immediate connection with the viewer. The composition is assertive and graphic, designed to engage from across the room. Despite this powerful presence, the painting's modest scale ensures it functions as a compelling focal point that enhances, rather than dominates, a personal living or collection space.
Technique & Material
Executed with precision, the painting utilizes a combination of acrylic mediums to achieve its distinct effect. The meticulous linear halftones and bold color fields are finished with a high-gloss, clear artist's resin. This coating produces a luminous, candy-like surface that deepens the color and interacts dynamically with light.
While photographic reproductions capture the composition, they cannot fully convey the artwork's tangible presence. The resin finish creates a smooth, object-like quality that invites closer inspection. The play of light across its glossy surface and the physicality of the layered technique are essential aspects of the work, best appreciated in person as a unique artistic object.
Plunge Beach Resort
4660 El Mar Dr,
Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, FL 33308
ON DISPLAY: NOV 01-DEC 4
RECEPTION: NOV 20, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Environment created using Dream Machine
These are some of the stages of development of the image.
Commission a custom halftone painting
This piece is part of an ongoing series. I am always glad to talk about the work.
For available work and commissions, reach out.
BROWSE MY WORK
- Illustration: Browse custom illustrations, book cover art, illustrated maps, and architectural renderings.
- Fine art: View original paintings and drawings, the Custom Halftone Series, and mural commissions.
- Graphic design & motion: See design projects, then watch motion reels and animated pieces.
- Maps by use case: Explore illustrated maps created for boat shows, resorts, marinas, real estate, transportation & parking, cities & towns, parks, and wayfinding.
- Specialty projects: Also check out cover design, vinyl & vehicle wraps, proposal renderings, and street art.
- Style & technique: Discover vector, isometric, painterly, monochrome, data-driven, bird's-eye, and halftone approaches.
- Tools I use: Everyday software includes Photoshop, Illustrator, SketchUp, and InDesign; motion work relies on Premiere & After Effects.