Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 5

Valton Tyler
Stop Playing and Get to Work

1970

About the Item

In The New York Times Arts in America column, Edward M. Gomez wrote of Valton Tyler, "visionary seems the right word for describing his vivid, unusual and technically refined paintings, prints and drawings, whose style defies convenient labels. Abstract, surreal, cartoonish, sci-fi fantastic, metaphysical, apocalyptic-Baroque - all of these fit but also fall short of fully describing his art." (The Living Arts, June 13, 2000, p. B2) Valton Tyler was born in 1944 in Texas, where "the industrial world of oil refineries made a long-lasting impression on Valton as a very young child living in Texas City. He was three years old when the terrible explosion occurred there and can remember the terrifying confusion and 'the beautiful red sky and objects flying everywhere in the air.'" (Reynolds, p. 25) While growing up in Texas City, Valton's father worked in auto repair, and was known for his skill in mixing colors for paint jobs. After leaving Texas City, Valton made his way to Dallas, where he briefly enrolled at the Dallas Art Institute, but found it to be too social and commercial for his taste. After Valton's work was introduced to Donald Vogel (founder of Valley House Gallery), "Vogel arranged for Tyler to use the printmaking facilities in the art department of the Southern Methodist University in Dallas, where the young artist essentially taught himself several demanding printmaking techniques. 'It was remarkable,' Vogel says. 'Not only did he learn complicated etching methods, but he was able to express himself powerfully in whatever medium he explored.' Vogel became the publisher of Tyler's prints. Among them, the artist made editions of some 50 different images whose sometimes stringy abstract forms and more solid, architecturally arresting elements became the precursors of his later, mature style." (Gomez, Raw Vision #35, p. 36) “Stop Playing and Get to Work” is plate number 29, and is reproduced in "The First Fifty Prints: Valton Tyler" with text by Rebecca Reynolds, published for Valley House Gallery by Southern Methodist University Press, Dallas, Texas, 1972. In “The First Fifty Prints,” Reynolds wrote, "Valton offers a whimsical explanation of how his forms come into being in an actual construction site in 'Stop Playing and Get to Work.' The artist has explained that the machinery, work sheds, and construction supports will eventually disintegrate as the structures collect the energy necessary to float like zeppelins at the end of a fragile cord, or to bounce and send off projectiles as the finished objects on the right are now happily doing. The mysterious construction workers who Valton assures us in this title will soon be returning are left to haunt our imaginations." (Reynolds, p. 94) Paper size: 23 1/2 x 27 1/2 inches Edition: 5 Artists Proofs Imp. 50 Signed Prints Imp. Bibliography: Edward M. Gomez, "Futuristic Forms Frolic Under Eerie Texan Skies," The New York Times, June 13, 2000, page B2. Edward M. Gomez, "Valton Tyler's Techno-Organic Landscapes," Raw Vision 35, Summer 2001, pages 34-39. Rebecca Reynolds, "The First Fifty Prints: Valton Tyler," published for Valley House Gallery by Southern Methodist University Press, Dallas, Texas, 1972.
  • Creator:
    Valton Tyler (1944, American)
  • Creation Year:
    1970
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 19 in (48.26 cm)Width: 23.75 in (60.33 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    Dallas, TX
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: VT-29-011stDibs: LU257464942

More From This Seller

View All
Avenue 11
By Valton Tyler
Located in Dallas, TX
In The New York Times Arts in America column, Edward M. Gomez wrote of Valton Tyler, "visionary seems the right word for describing his vivid, unusual and technically refined paintin...
Category

1960s Outsider Art Abstract Prints

Materials

Rag Paper, Etching

Avenue 11
Price Upon Request
Together We Are
By Valton Tyler
Located in Dallas, TX
In The New York Times Arts in America column, Edward M. Gomez wrote of Valton Tyler, "visionary seems the right word for describing his vivid, unusual and technically refined paintin...
Category

1960s Outsider Art Abstract Prints

Materials

Rag Paper, Etching

Just a Little Water Please
By Valton Tyler
Located in Dallas, TX
In The New York Times Arts in America column, Edward M. Gomez wrote of Valton Tyler, "visionary seems the right word for describing his vivid, unusual and technically refined paintin...
Category

1960s Outsider Art Abstract Prints

Materials

Rag Paper, Etching, Aquatint

Neighborhood
By Valton Tyler
Located in Dallas, TX
In The New York Times Arts in America column, Edward M. Gomez writes of Valton Tyler, "visionary seems the right word for describing his vivid, unusual and technically refined painti...
Category

1970s Outsider Art Abstract Prints

Materials

Paper, Etching, Aquatint

Heritage
By Valton Tyler
Located in Dallas, TX
In The New York Times Arts in America column, Edward M. Gomez wrote of Valton Tyler, "visionary seems the right word for describing his vivid, unusual and technically refined paintin...
Category

1960s Outsider Art Abstract Prints

Materials

Rag Paper, Etching, Aquatint

Heritage
Price Upon Request
Environment Man
By Valton Tyler
Located in Dallas, TX
In The New York Times Arts in America column, Edward M. Gomez wrote of Valton Tyler, "visionary seems the right word for describing his vivid, unusual and technically refined paintin...
Category

1970s Outsider Art Abstract Prints

Materials

Rag Paper, Etching

You May Also Like

Diptych of Silks, Classic Blue Organic Shapes, Cyanotype on Watercolor Paper
By Kind of Cyan
Located in Barcelona, ES
This is an exclusive handprinted limited edition cyanotype. Details: + Title: Late Night Adventurous Duo (of Silks) + Year: 2022 + Edition Size: 20 + Stamped and Certificate of Auth...
Category

2010s Op Art Landscape Prints

Materials

Lithograph, Rag Paper

Thames Bridge East, London Cityscape Prints, Original Monochromatic Artwork
By John Duffin
Located in Deddington, GB
Thames Bridge East is a limited edition etching by John Duffin. The monochromatic palette of this work allows you to look at all of the detail that Duffin has added to the piece. The...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Impressionist Landscape Prints

Materials

Paper, Etching

The Serpentine, Hyde Park – Autumn, after Bruegel, Figurative Dutch Style Art
By Mychael Barratt
Located in Deddington, GB
The Serpentine, Hyde Park – Autumn, after Bruegel is a limited edition etching by Mychael Barratt. Barratt uses Ravilious’ The Vale of the White Horse as inspiration for this witty e...
Category

2010s Contemporary Landscape Prints

Materials

Paper, Etching

Sarah Duncan, Coriolis Effect, Limited Edition Art, Contemporary Etching Print
By Sarah Duncan
Located in Deddington, GB
Sarah Duncan Coriolis Effect Limited Edition Etching on Zerkall German Etch 350gsm Paper Edition of 20 Image Size: H 60cm x W 60cm Sheet Size: H 70cm x W 70cm x D 0.1cm Sold Unframed...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Abstract Prints

Materials

Paper, Etching

Tim Southall, Destination Unknown, Contemporary Art Print, Affordable Art
By Tim Southall
Located in Deddington, GB
Tim Southall Destination Unknown Limited Edition Print Edition of 45 Image Size: H 15cm x W 20cm Sheet Size: H 26cm x W 32cm x D 0.1cm Sold Unframed Pleas...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Conceptual Abstract Prints

Materials

Paper, Etching, Monoprint

“Centre Cross” Abstract Black, Red, and Metallic Religious Etching
Located in Houston, TX
"Centre Cross" etching that incorporates religious imagery by Charon Kopriva. Signed, Titled, and dated by the artist at the bottom of the print. Editioned 3/15. Dimensions Without ...
Category

1960s Abstract Abstract Prints

Materials

Paper, Etching

Recently Viewed

View All