1961 marks a pivotal moment in Totten’s career, departing from the subdued desert-inspired color palette that had characterized his previous work to embrace a more flamboyant and adventurous aesthetic, embarking on a creative exploration that resonated with the buoyant spirit of the era. This marked shift coincided with Totten’s deepening engagement with Synchromism, a movement spearheaded by Stanton MacDonald-Wright, under whose tutelage Totten had studied. Drawing inspiration from MacDonald-Wright, Totten absorbed the foundational principles of Synchromism, yet he always approached them as a catalyst for his own distinctive artistic vision.
Totten’s artistic process appears deceptively effortless, mirroring the demeanor of the man behind the brush. Modest, soft-spoken, and gentle, Totten embodied humility in his approach to his craft. Yet, beneath this unassuming exterior lay a profound commitment to his artistry. Immersed in the act of painting, Totten dedicated himself wholeheartedly to his practice, infusing each canvas with a palpable sense of daring and conviction.
To liken Totten’s oeuvre to that of luminaries such as Clifford Still or Edward Dugmore may seem audacious at first glance, however, upon closer examination, one discerns a shared mastery of abstract expressionism and a profound depth of artistic expression. Totten stands shoulder to shoulder with these titans, his capacity to produce profound abstract works attesting to his enduring legacy as a visionary artist.
Totten’s Los Angeles presents a more restrained and contemplative side of his artistic repertoire, characterized by a rich palette of saturated dark reds and deep forest greens. Unlike some of his more exuberant works, this painting exudes a quiet sophistication and demonstrates a refined approach to abstraction. The interplay of these deep hues creates a sense of layered depth, inviting viewers to engage with the painting’s subtle nuances.
Delicate white and black lines traverse the canvas, serving as both defining elements and visual anchors that enhance the composition's complexity. These lines delineate forms and create an intricate network that adds a dimension of spatial depth and lyrical movement. Through this interplay of color and line, Totten achieves a poetic abstraction that subtly evokes natural forms and textures without explicit representation.