BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD(S)

 

There are many reasons why I love the work that has come to define my life, the ability to design my own day, the mixture of solitude and social interactions it provides, the freedom to choose not to work when the spirit moves me, and high on this list…the ability to move from one task or project to another at the slightest whim.

For most of the second half of last year my efforts were directed to working with acrylics on canvas and panels; these imagined landscapes varied in size from 8x10 inches to 36x48 inches.    This year, exercising my prerogatives as CEO, President, and Chairman of the board at Gallery 5, I am devoting most of my attention to works on paper – primarily creating the art for my Paducah project, as well fulfilling several commissions.  So, for the umpteenth time, the work- stations in the studio have been rearranged so I can have several works in progress at the same time, watercolor, markers, and pastel.  There is a common misperception that I am prolific because all I do is work, but the truth is, at least half of my time in the studio is spent with my feet up, reading, listening to music or “resting my eyes”.

Hey…it’s a good life.

Drawing and whatever

Drawing and watercolor

Drawing...pen - ink - markers - pastel

work in progress...Jim's BBQ

work in progress...Grace Church

TWO NEW PAINTINGS...ACRYLIC

The juices are starting to flow once again, and I'm thinking about painting as much as I am about pasta! I sort of forced myself on the first painting, but became more enthusiastic as it progressed. This lead me to the second piece, and now I'm chomping at the bit to get moving on a third one. The first 2 were 12x48, the next one will be 24x48 and will probably be similar in theme and mood. But that can change anytime.


#1

#2

STILL PLAYING...

I have not been able to walk away from this latest series since I started it over a week ago. It began with a series of small abstract clay mono types and later expanded to enhancing the prints with applications of ink and/or acrylic washes. The latest twist has been resurrecting old prints that have been tucked away in the file drawers and making them into more than were.

First...a triptych from a newly pulled print:





Next...2 older prints "updated":




All of the prints will share the same fate...mounted on cradled hardboard and finished with several coats of a cold wax medium. They may eventually become part of an exhibit of new works at Gallery 5.

NEW WORKS

I don't want to scare them away, but I do believe the muses have returned and I have two new works in progress, each following a very different approach.

This first is a scene based loosely on the Philadelphia Italian market, an absolutely wonderful place to be. In this case my intention is to paint it piece by piece, completing each section as I go along with little or no under painting, similar to the way I use watercolors. What does not show up very well in these photos is the fairly complete drawing on the canvas.

work in progress #1

work in progress #1 detail

The second piece will be an autumn landscape of my own creation. Here I am starting with an under painting on which I will add multiple layers of color to achieve the finished results.

work in progress #2