East End artist Jeff Muhs was born and raised in Southampton. His early interests in art were encouraged by his parents, Captain Fred [artist and third generation hunting & fishing guide] and Geraldine Muhs. “My parents instilled an intimate knowledge of our local natural environment in me, and the barrier beach of Long Island’s south shore has inspired my work greatly,” shares Muhs, whose work relates the beauty of our natural world through his expressionistic painting style, creating a unique artistic vision based on the evolution of our environment. KDHamptons shares a visit to the eclectic Southampton home and studio of the highly collectible Hamptons painter and sculptor, below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The artist curates the Shinnecock Hills home that he shares with wife, Beth McNeill, and their children, much like an evolving work of art. Beth shares, “Jeff spends hours each day in the summer months working on our gardens and plantings. We have myriad varieties of cactus, specimen trees, and perennial flower beds.” A true craftsman at heart, nearly all of the woodwork, cabinetry, and furniture in the home was hand crafted by Muhs, including a sculptural lighting fixture created with pieces of broken porcelain that hangs in the dining room. The gardens on the pretty property are peppered with dramatic sculptures, offering a natural art exhibit for visitors.

 

 

 

 

 

KDHamptons: How do the Hamptons inspire your work?

Jeff Muhs: The Hamptons inspires my work as it affords me space, light, and a natural creative force that drives me.  I am reminded of this rich historical artistic community and I know what I am able to achieve is because of artists in this region who have shaped 20th century art.  This drives me to continue this legacy.

 

 

KDHamptons: How do you describe yourself as an artist in your own words?

Jeff Muhs: Objects, nature, and personal experiences are reflected in the art I create.  I like perfection in everything I do and to see my ideas carried to completion.  My art is my life.  My life is a gift.

 

 

KDHamptons: Can you please describe the furniture collection for our readers?

Jeff Muhs: The Emirate collection is a convergence of midcenturymodern design and contemporary applications.  This series was inspired by my travels to the Middle East.  The furniture is handmade in my Southampton studio with Baltic birch, modern laminates & hand selected hides and leather.

 

 

Jeff’s hand carved furniture are limited editions and prices start at $1,500 [for the footstool] and go up from their.  The chair starts $3500 and the coffee table is $3,500.

 

 

 

 

Beth is the founder of McNeill Art Group, which consults to a wealth of collectors, both public and private, providing personal delivery of works and creating an ease to the selection of work. She shares, “We allow artists the freedom to concentrate their efforts on the production of engaging works of art.” Artists work side by side with McNeill Art Group to promote not just a single exhibition, but to develop a career. “Focusing on curating as an artform endows McNeill Art Group the ability to change shape and perspective with each event and each individual client.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Muhs translates his inspiration into a timeless, universal aesthetic that has been widely received around the country. Gaining national exposure and establishing a strong presence in the art community has led to his continued success. Jeff exhibits in many US cities, including: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Santa Fe, Memphis, and Portland as well as here in Southampton and East Hampton.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The chic contemporary bath Muhs built in the studio

 

 

 

Lyons Wier Gallery in Manhattan is currently showing new works by Jeff Muhs in “Slipstream,” a new series of abstract paintings by artist Jeff Muhs. Slipstreaming is synonymous with drafting, whereby two moving objects are caused to align in a close group reducing the overall effect of drag due to exploiting the lead object’s slipstream. In the case of Jeff Muhs, a slipstream is created visually by the foreground elements that seemingly leave a swirling area of atmospheric turbulence in its wake. This effect is heightened by the artist’s cognitive choices of color and how the paint is applied. Like many of the Action and Gesture painters before him, Muhs uses a variety of painting techniques including, but not limited to, dripping, smearing and pouring of paint.

 

 

 

 

Two works from the Slipstream show at Lyons Wier [above]

 

 

 

The backgrounds are typically black paint that is moved around resembling the whiting out of windows during times of construction or closure. This technique is then over-painted by a dense and colorful mass that calls to mind landscape and Color Field elements. When combined, the push and pull of the eye, causes the viewer to slip between the two disparate yet synthesized elements – welcome to the slipstream! The paintings also afford areas where the eye can rest, areas of deep space to float in, as well as rich islands of color to float upon.

 

 

 

 

JEFF MUHS: Slipstream Exhibition
November 13 – December 20th, 2014
Opening Reception
Thursday, November 13th, 2014 (6-8pm)
Lyons Wier Gallery
542 West 24th St., New York, NY 10011
Gallery Hours: Tues-Sat, 11am-6pm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jeff’s work can also be found in several private and public collections, namely Guild Hall Museum, East Hampton, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles, CA, Hunter Museum, Memphis, TN, Ward Museum, Salisbury, MD, Time Warner, Inc., New York, NY, Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, NV, and Cantor Fitzgerald among others. He lives and works in Southampton.

 

 

 

 

 

 

* Photography in this feature by Kelli Delaney