FORBIDDEN ZONE

“Forbidden Zone” By Nick Ringelstetter

When Ringelstetter was approached in 2010 to join the Spring Green Arts Coalition he had no idea that it would lead him toward one of the biggest projects in his life. In 2018 the SGAAC held an art class at The Shed a local business called, Monster Bash: Drawing and Water Colors with Nick Ringelstetter. The fundraiser was held to procure money for their grant program. Twenty kids came and created creatures with Ringelstetter that were used to inspire an upcoming painting. Ringelstetter took the colors and concepts of the collected pieces and themed his painting as a Candy Land, Wizard of Oz mix.

Initially the plan had been to create a black light painting incorporating all of the characters the children had drawn up, but Ringelstetter decided to take this piece a step further. Over the course of three months he melded together layers of different mediums to create an ultraviolet reactive painting that can be viewed in it’s best form with three-dimensional glasses. This way, you’re taken on a journey throughout the whole painting, allowing you to greet each of the unique characters while you travel down the yellow brick road and immerse yourself in the whimsical chaos of this incredible piece.

Ringelstetter firmly believes that this piece is truly one of a kind, as you just can’t quite find anything else like it. This style of painting has been a game changer in Ringelstetter’s career, and this piece has inspired a new line of paintings that will incorporate what the artist calls “the forbidden effect” in a way that will reshape how we view art in a new and enthralling way. Stay tuned to see where this journey leads…