John Adelman
click on any image for details

Still Life 3, 2024
acrylic paint pen on canvas, 49 x 24 inches, $3200

2,417 Television Series Watched, 2024
gel ink on canvas, 30 x 30 inches, $3000

Report, 2024
acrylic paint pen on canvas, 36 x 36 inches, $3600

Branch I, 2023
gel ink, acrylic spray paint on paper, 16 x 12 inches unframed, $650

Branch II, 2023
gel ink, acrylic spray paint on paper, 16 x 12 inches unframed, $650

Branch III, 2023
gel ink, acrylic spray paint on paper, 16 x 12 inches unframed, $650

Branch IV, 2023
gel ink, acrylic spray paint on paper, 16 x 12 inches unframed, $650

Branch V, 2023
gel ink, acrylic spray paint on paper, 16 x 12 inches unframed, $650

Branch VI, 2023
gel ink, acrylic spray paint on paper, 16 x 12 inches unframed, $650

Hansard, 2014
black gel ink on museum board, 18.5 x 32 inches unframed, sold

Plague, 2021
ink on paper, 16 x 12 inches, $650

Plagiotropism, 2021
ink on paper, 16 x 12 inches, $650

Plagiotropism III, 2021
ink on paper, 16 x 12 inches, $650

Plagiotremata, 2021
ink on paper, 16 x 12 inches, $650

Plagiotremata II, 2021
ink on paper, 16 x 12 inches, $650

Plagiostome, 2021
ink on paper, 16 x 12 inches, $650

Plagiostomatous, 2021
ink on paper, 16 x 12 inches unframed, $650

Plagionite, 2021
ink on paper, 16 x 12 inches unframed, $650

Plagionite II, 2021
ink on paper, 16 x 12 inches unframed, $650

Plagionite III, 2023
ink on paper, 16 x 12 inches, $650

Handheld Series III, 2020
ink on paper, 16 x 12 inches unframed, $650

Handheld Series IV, 2020
ink on paper, 16 x 12 inches unframed, $650

Handheld Series V, 2020
ink on paper, 16x12 inches unframed, $650

Handheld Series VI, 2020
ink on paper, 16 x 12 inches unframed, $650

Handheld Series VII, 2020
ink on paper, 16 x 12 inches unframed, $650

Handheld Series VIII, 2020
ink on paper, 16 x 12 inches unframed, $650

Handheld Series XII, 2020
ink on paper, 16 x 12 inches, $650

Handheld Series XIII, 2020
ink on paper, 16x12 inches unframed, $650

Joystick II (Head to Head)
ink on paper, 16x12 inches unframed, $650
About the artist...
Learn more about John Adelman and his practice in VoyageHouston, Bold Journey and this CanvasRebel article.
Read the 2018 Voyage Houston interview with Adelman here.
Take a virtual tour of Adelman's 2016 two-person show here.
John Adelman's body of work emphasizes that conceptual forethought and process are equals with the finished product. Each piece utilizes a single resource, such as a dictionary, pile of nails, Bird’s nest, or bundle of twigs, yet organizes these components through a set of predetermined formulaic systems. Every formula contains variables and inconstant formula components to belie the rigidness of the formula, as seen in formulas that employ an alphanumerical transposition, converting letters into numbers and using the numbers for various determinations, such as shape, size, color, or placement. Through these systematic operations, drawings take form, revealing an underlying order and structure amidst the chaos, happenstance, and unpredictability.
Mostly, gel ink pens are used as the writing/drawing implement. As a commonplace, utilitarian material not intrinsically associated with artistic practice, it is employed in conjunction with the source materials. These are repeatedly layered accumulations that ultimately produce visually rich, luxuriant surfaces and images transcending the functional starting points. The interaction between commonplace materials, systematic formulations, and manual rendering techniques thus cultivates aesthetically meaningful outcomes.
Visit artist's website - thejohnadelman.com