Friction, Redux

Friction

24 x 24

Mixed media on panel

Last month a gentleman at the street galleries asked me if I had any larger work, larger than 12 x 12. I've been painting 12 x 12's for the better part of the last six months and I've always been meaning to go larger so I took it as a queue. I am more satisfied with the end result but it was a bit trying. I suppose leaving your comfort zone always is.

After The Show

After The Show

12" x 12"

Mixed media on panel

The source image for this painting was one of those vintage "How To" books. I took the image and made it my own - not following the steps outlined in the "How To" to come up with the final image.

I am becoming more and more interested in experimenting with paint. I use to mix paint on a pallette and then obsessively paint surfaces to render something as photo realistic as possible. I was never satisfied with the end result and it felt like torture! I guess it seemed the only way it could be a "real" painting was if it was done in a photo realist fashion. After a few years and some good teachers in art school, my style has loosened up dramatically and everything's the better for it.

I won't have a lot of new paintings to post for awhile due to the move to the art community. I've been focusing on nude figure studies lately and I can't wait to do some more! I might skip some packing this weekend and make time for painting. I need to get into "the zone".

Tricycle for Shannon

Tricycle for Shannon
12" x 12"
Mixed media on board

Some back story on this painting.

I hit a dry spell recently and couldn’t figure out what to paint. I was banging my head up against the wall. I hate these moments; it’s as if the whole world becomes some gray drab slate and every brush stroke against a surface becomes a moot point. Then, I looked up from bed (I was effectively coping with the dry spell by laying in the dark) and when I looked up from the bed I saw Shannon's painting of a tricycle!

I immediately sent her a message and asked if it was okay to co-op her tricycle? I always loved the story of the tricycle so thought it would be fun to reinterpret. I was expecting offense but luckily she was more than okay with the idea. Above is the result of said interpretation.

A buyer at the street gallery bought one of Shannon's tricycles. Of mine, she said it was “too dark”. A common theme which I wonder if I will escape?

Bitches Behind Bars

Starting a new blog is something I’ve been meaning to do for some time!

My friend Shannon and I were talking about starting blogs in honor of our acceptance into an intentional creative’s community housed in a redeveloped bricker from the early 20^th century. It was previously used as a care home for the elderly.. ..neat vibe. I’m sure some strange adventures are underway for all of us participating in this venture. This post may be a little premature as we do not actually move in until August but I thought I’d get going on the blog…

To Be Determined

12” x 12”

acrylic on board

To Be Determined is one of the paintings I did this year during a three month course titled The 50 Project. The course is a post in and of its own! The instructor of the class bought this piece. When I ran into him and his lady friend at a benefit auction she exclaimed, “We call it Bitches Behind Bars!” I thought that was hilarious.