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Gidge 3D
Ken Gidge has managed to find a new way to express himself. After being an inventor, radio talk show host, the creator of a 56 by 8 foot splash painting, the New Hampshire state representative has created a new form of 3-D art. “The process is a secret”, says Ken with a mischievous twinkle.
The paintings show a colorful image when viewed ordinarily, but with the help of 3-D glasses, there is profound difference.
The cosmic webs, vibrant circles, and floating swirls of color appear to be tunnels of 3-D shapes on the canvas. Touch your fingers to the surface and it sinks into layers of shapes and pigments.
‘Awesome’, ‘Magical,’ ” That is really cool. “ – are the typical reactions.
Totally innovative, this new form of art is now shown at 100 Main street Nashua for the month of December
[img alt="" src="http://gidgeworld.com/wp-content/flagallery/gidge-3d/thumbs/thumbs_voodoo.jpg"][img alt="" src="http://gidgeworld.com/wp-content/flagallery/gidge-3d/thumbs/thumbs_009-646x800.jpg"]When we ascend we go to the Mansion Worlds to continue to evolve. [img alt="" src="http://gidgeworld.com/wp-content/flagallery/gidge-3d/thumbs/thumbs_007.jpg"][img alt="" src="http://gidgeworld.com/wp-content/flagallery/gidge-3d/thumbs/thumbs_alleluja-770x800.jpg"]This painting sings will color - what if we could see sound.. Would it look like this. [img alt="" src="http://gidgeworld.com/wp-content/flagallery/gidge-3d/thumbs/thumbs_064-656x800.jpg"]Deep Space star creation- fanciful physics [img alt="" src="http://gidgeworld.com/wp-content/flagallery/gidge-3d/thumbs/thumbs_awe-tum.jpg"]AWE inspiring orange and yellows for the leafy colorscape [img alt="" src="http://gidgeworld.com/wp-content/flagallery/gidge-3d/thumbs/thumbs_033-530x800.jpg"]Powerful Iconic Image - belong in the great hall- A gentleman said" I wasn't religious until I saw this"[img alt="" src="http://gidgeworld.com/wp-content/flagallery/gidge-3d/thumbs/thumbs_010.jpg"]Birth heart[img alt="" src="http://gidgeworld.com/wp-content/flagallery/gidge-3d/thumbs/thumbs_009-333x800.jpg"]Abstract with stained glass vase[img alt="" src="http://gidgeworld.com/wp-content/flagallery/gidge-3d/thumbs/thumbs_039-800x593.jpg"][img alt="" src="http://gidgeworld.com/wp-content/flagallery/gidge-3d/thumbs/thumbs_012-600x800.jpg"]Camouflage[img alt="" src="http://gidgeworld.com/wp-content/flagallery/gidge-3d/thumbs/thumbs_004.jpg"]carnival[img alt="" src="http://gidgeworld.com/wp-content/flagallery/gidge-3d/thumbs/thumbs_chasing-blue_0.jpg"]16 tiny figures [img alt="" src="http://gidgeworld.com/wp-content/flagallery/gidge-3d/thumbs/thumbs_012.jpg"]Chasing Orange[img alt="" src="http://gidgeworld.com/wp-content/flagallery/gidge-3d/thumbs/thumbs_011-768x800.jpg"]Cosmic Daffodils[img alt="" src="http://gidgeworld.com/wp-content/flagallery/gidge-3d/thumbs/thumbs_006-800x735.jpg"][img alt="" src="http://gidgeworld.com/wp-content/flagallery/gidge-3d/thumbs/thumbs_035-800x653.jpg"][img alt="" src="http://gidgeworld.com/wp-content/flagallery/gidge-3d/thumbs/thumbs_023-600x800.jpg"][img alt="" src="http://gidgeworld.com/wp-content/flagallery/gidge-3d/thumbs/thumbs_002.jpg"]double fish[img alt="" src="http://gidgeworld.com/wp-content/flagallery/gidge-3d/thumbs/thumbs_031.jpg"]Fall Leaf[img alt="" src="http://gidgeworld.com/wp-content/flagallery/gidge-3d/thumbs/thumbs_013-800x583.jpg"][img alt="" src="http://gidgeworld.com/wp-content/flagallery/gidge-3d/thumbs/thumbs_007-600x800.jpg"][img alt="" src="http://gidgeworld.com/wp-content/flagallery/gidge-3d/thumbs/thumbs_floats-on-purple.jpg"][img alt="" src="http://gidgeworld.com/wp-content/flagallery/gidge-3d/thumbs/thumbs_005.jpg"]Green Chrysanthemum[img alt="" src="http://gidgeworld.com/wp-content/flagallery/gidge-3d/thumbs/thumbs_an-angel-or-alien-key-hole-612x800.jpg"][img alt="" src="http://gidgeworld.com/wp-content/flagallery/gidge-3d/thumbs/thumbs_hydrangea.jpg"]hydrangea[img alt="" src="http://gidgeworld.com/wp-content/flagallery/gidge-3d/thumbs/thumbs_006-640x800.jpg"]Iridescent Popcorn[img alt="" src="http://gidgeworld.com/wp-content/flagallery/gidge-3d/thumbs/thumbs_let-us-celebrate.jpg"]Let us Celebrate[img alt="" src="http://gidgeworld.com/wp-content/flagallery/gidge-3d/thumbs/thumbs_026-632x800.jpg"]an explosion of yellow and green leaf[img alt="" src="http://gidgeworld.com/wp-content/flagallery/gidge-3d/thumbs/thumbs_maple-forest-41.jpg"]Deep layers of color. Go in.. get lost! [img alt="" src="http://gidgeworld.com/wp-content/flagallery/gidge-3d/thumbs/thumbs_mr-jelly.jpg"]Jelly whirls, carnival colors and clows... oh my 1[img alt="" src="http://gidgeworld.com/wp-content/flagallery/gidge-3d/thumbs/thumbs_my-birthday.jpg"] The green light of spirit emerging into the womb - done on the artist's birthday[img alt="" src="http://gidgeworld.com/wp-content/flagallery/gidge-3d/thumbs/thumbs_018-615x800.jpg"][img alt="" src="http://gidgeworld.com/wp-content/flagallery/gidge-3d/thumbs/thumbs_008-600x800.jpg"][img alt="" src="http://gidgeworld.com/wp-content/flagallery/gidge-3d/thumbs/thumbs_012-800x582.jpg"][img alt="" src="http://gidgeworld.com/wp-content/flagallery/gidge-3d/thumbs/thumbs_silver-011.jpg"]Scuba man floating about in dense coral. Humorous and pretty. [img alt="" src="http://gidgeworld.com/wp-content/flagallery/gidge-3d/thumbs/thumbs_016-2.jpg"][img alt="" src="http://gidgeworld.com/wp-content/flagallery/gidge-3d/thumbs/thumbs_004_0.jpg"][img alt="" src="http://gidgeworld.com/wp-content/flagallery/gidge-3d/thumbs/thumbs_spectral-visions.jpg"]spectral visions[img alt="" src="http://gidgeworld.com/wp-content/flagallery/gidge-3d/thumbs/thumbs_trapezio.jpg"]circus fun[img alt="" src="http://gidgeworld.com/wp-content/flagallery/gidge-3d/thumbs/thumbs_2013-02-12-22-30-14-759x800-3.jpg"][img alt="" src="http://gidgeworld.com/wp-content/flagallery/gidge-3d/thumbs/thumbs_036-800x268.jpg"][img alt="" src="http://gidgeworld.com/wp-content/flagallery/gidge-3d/thumbs/thumbs_zoomba.jpg"]largest of the painting .. great depth[img alt="" src="http://gidgeworld.com/wp-content/flagallery/gidge-3d/thumbs/thumbs_006.jpg"]Wild Turkey[img alt="" src="http://gidgeworld.com/wp-content/flagallery/gidge-3d/thumbs/thumbs_005-800x317.jpg"][img alt="" src="http://gidgeworld.com/wp-content/flagallery/gidge-3d/thumbs/thumbs_029-298x800.jpg"]It pops[img alt="" src="http://gidgeworld.com/wp-content/flagallery/gidge-3d/thumbs/thumbs_yellowdota-2-copy.jpg"]An intense sunburst of red on yellow, green on cranberry, orange on cranberry[img alt="" src="http://gidgeworld.com/wp-content/flagallery/gidge-3d/thumbs/thumbs_006-800x561.jpg"]
Gidge 3D
Ken Gidge has managed to find a new way to express himself. After being an inventor, radio talk show host, the creator of a 56 by 8 foot splash painting, the New Hampshire state representative has created a new form of 3-D art. “The process is a secret”, says Ken with a mischievous twinkle. The paintings show a colorful image when viewed ordinarily, but with the help of 3-D glasses, there is profound difference. The cosmic webs, vibrant circles, and floating swirls of color appear to be tunnels of 3-D shapes on the canvas. Touch your fingers to the surface and it sinks into layers of shapes and pigments. ‘Awesome’, ‘Magical,’ ” That is really cool. “ – are the typical reactions. Totally innovative, this new form of art is now shown at 100 Main street Nashua for the month of December
Three dimensional art using a still image is generally considered to be one of the following; computer generated graphics, Trompe L’Oeil or Fool the Eye, or stereo-optic visuals that require special glasses with a double image. Distinctive from the above types of 3D work, Ken Gidge of Nashua NH has developed a new form of three dimensional art, an abstract fine art treatment , first shown at the Chimera Gallery on Nashua NH. by Nancy Ferrier on October 30th, 2011.
This innovative art was dubbed Gidge 3D and a fan David Tiller added the descriptive words “Spectral Illusions”. Gidge 3D spectral illusions gives the viewer the impression that the shapes on the flat surface of the painting are floating out or receding into the wall. The viewer needs to look through special 3D glasses and have bi-focal vision for the optical illusion to be perceived.
This innovation in Art is not done by style or subject matter but rather by combining variables that generate the optical illusion of depth or projections into or off the canvas is exceptional. Ken Gidge has originated the craft to make shapes on a flat canvass appear to float when special 3D glasses are worn. Unlike the other forms of three dimensional art, where the illusion of depth is created by manipulating perspective, or the layering of several identical images, this is produced solely by the confluence of color, 3D glasses and the viewer’s interpretation. The critical factor is that the illusion of depth is created on a flat or two dimensional surface.
Ken Gidge, considers himself to be primarily an inventor , not an artist, although his work is considered by fellow artist Susan Marie Stevens to be ” incredibly ENERGETIC & insightful, with many pieces being abstract in nature, you can see into his use of design & texture – even if the “texture” is only hinted, in places – it creates an amazing flow & treat for the eye! His works are a very impressive use of many techniques & has called to mind, at times, Cubism, Da-Da-ism & contemporary visual meanings.
In this section : Theater & art
N.H. legislator turns to 3-D painting
Mark Wilson for The Boston Globe
“I guess my life’s philosophy has been that there’s room in our lives for everything we love, simple and complex,” says Ken Gidge of his multiple pursuits.
Ken Gidge is a politician — a Democratic New Hampshire state representative who recently won reelection to his third term. And he’s an inventor, of refrigeration energy-saving devices and a plastic Frisbee-style toy called the Wing Wheel.
As a young man, he was a Santa Claus at a department store in Boston, and he spent 248 days atop a 30-foot-high perch at a car dealership in Peabody, Mass., going for the world record in flagpole sitting. He once self-published a book on what he believed then were his psychic abilities, and he’s an avid writer of poetry. He says he was a jazz club manager who gave Muddy Waters a gig at the start of the late bluesman’s US comeback tour in the 1970s.
Gidge has the bearing of a professor, and the look, too — wire-framed glasses, a well-groomed mustache, sport coats over golf shirts, and a constant smile. And it makes sense. A conversation with Gidge is almost always a lesson of some sort, with him playing the role of a happy teacher, thrilled to talk history, culture, and the joy of life itself, as well as share anecdotes about his own adventures.
The latest display of Gidge’s eclectic talents comes “hidden” in his self-description as “just a guy who paints.”
Gidge’s paintings are bright, almost bawdy collections of heavily textured swirls and whirls. Some show brightly colored, featureless people. All, when viewed through 3-D polarized glasses, seem to come to life and leap off the canvas.
So far he has declined to reveal much about how he gets the 3-D effect other than to say, “It’s just paint and nothing more,” and “My technique is all about painting with mixtures that compel the naked eye to search for the depth, the 3-D element.”
Yanick Lapuh, an artist known for sculptural paintings that explore three-dimensionality, praised Gidge’s work as “amazing for someone who is self-taught.” Lapuh has exhibited in eight solo shows and more than 14 group shows, including shows at the Fuller Craft Museum in Brockton and the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem.
Examining two of Gidge’s paintings in his Brookline studio, Lapuh could not determine at a glance how Gidge achieved his visual-depth effect, and noted that Gidge’s technique “isn’t considered classic in the purest sense of the word, artistically, but who cares? It is complex. . . . I applaud him for this.”
Joseph Farbrook, associate professor of humanities and arts at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute, explained 3-D perception: “Eyes are like two different camera lenses,” he said, “and as an image moves closer to your eyes they start to cross a little bit. . . . A different image is created for each eye, and there is a point where the two images blend or overlay one another.”
Polarized glasses, which are needed to get the 3-D effect when viewing Gidge’s paintings, create a different image for each eye by presenting images to each eye from slightly different perspectives, depending on the shape or curvature of the lenses, Farbrook said.
Mark Wilson for The Boston Globe
“Yellow Dot,” a 3-D painting by Ken Gidge, displays realistic depth when viewed with 3d glasses.
However it’s done, Gidge didn’t just wake up one day and start working in 3-D. It took a colorful, meandering life to get to this point.
“You know, so many people have a story about childhood where they had a sudden feeling or an epiphany, or they experienced something that made them want to be an astronaut or a rocket scientist or an inventor, or rock star,” he said. “For me, it was just kind of gradual.
“Whenever I crossed paths with something interesting I embraced it, but I didn’t cut ties with whatever other interests I’d built. Plus, there’s so many things you can try once, things that are great and exciting and don’t necessarily take a long time. I guess my life’s philosophy has been that there’s room in our lives for everything we love, simple and complex.”
Developing his 3-D paint was complex. But after several months of tinkering, measuring, mixing, and brush-stroking in his home studio, Gidge found his “normal paint-only” 3-D formula and technique, and he emerged with a collection of paintings, ranging from 2-by-2-foot canvas numbers to wall-size works that all depict shimmering abstract starbursts that really could be stars or maybe flowers and those colorful gingerbread man-shaped characters that appear to be celebrating. They’re open to interpretation. And Gidge says that’s exactly as it should be.
“My paintings are a purposeful merger of color,” he says. “Just color. With the glasses and the brain’s own interpretation, they may look different to different people. But the depth, the 3-D quality remains.”
For Gidge his paint invention is just a beginning.
“I’d like to see how I can apply this sort of mixing and layering to sculpting materials too,” he says. “But first I plan to let the public know how to do it too. Again, why do this stuff if you’re not going to share?”
James H. Burnett III can be reached at james.burnett@
globe.com. Follow him on
Twitter @JamesBurnett.
The lady behind the keyboard – Lee – wife of Ken
Happy Ken – the talented Mr. Gidge
Our son Sky – we can’t believe it either
Nancy Ferrier – our art director
The dog





