Tuesday, Dec.28th, 2021

 I have been finding small joys in working with different mediums and materials. These are some smaller pieces working with different papers and alcohol ink and acrylics. I'm looking to see how they all react and create unconscious shapes and color combinations. I feel they are worth sharing and viewing.

Happy New Year to All except for...he who shall not be named!

8"x11" CANON Photo printing paper with acrylics mixed and overlaid with alcohol ink.

"Tiger Lily."

                                 4"x6" Canson 300g watercolor paper alcohol inks and graphite.

                                                            "Pink Rabbits"

                                  8"x11" CANON photo printing paper alcohol inks and graphite.

                                                            "Calder's Circus"

December 24th, 2021

 I want to wish to all and sundry the very best and holiday wishes for peace, prosperity and serenity.

I finally finished a piece that has vexed me. It worked better as a smaller piece but in the end, I think I "got" it. I hope you enjoy it. I've also been playing with alcohol inks and photo printing paper and enjoying the results. Thank you for viewing and bountiful blessings on you all!

48"x60" acrylic base with oil sticks and pastels rubbed with turps. No title. Open to suggestions.

                            8"x11" photo printing paper/ alcohol inks "Flowers."

                                                    "Christmas Lights" same dims and materials as above.

Merry Christmas to one and all and to all a merry good night!

 Saturday, December, 11th

"Christmas 2021"- 22x30 Stratmore paper. Colored ink, gouache, acrylics, graphite and oil crayons

Wed. Nov. 24th

 Grateful that I've been able to get through some existential crap and find my way back to color and paint. The work of Stanley Whitney continues to blow me away and in the process of absorbing his palette, I am able to dive deeper into my own Conversations About Color.

"Stanley Meets Sean" 18x24 study. Acrylic base with oil sticks on top. Wishing you and your family all the joy that heaven will allow.

Thursday. 11/11/2021

 

36x48 acrylic gesso with dry pigment mixed and charcoal "Blues Man."

Saturday November 6th

 No new images to post for now but we have added music. You'll see a "button" that says 103.5 BraveNation. This is the Bellmont High School low powered FM radio station located in Decatur IN that I am the General Manager of and the HS radio teacher. We are 24/7 AAA/Alternative music. 

You can also find us at 1035.live 

So now you can listen to great music while viewing images...enjoy!

Oct.9th

 Happy 80th birthday, John Lennon. Hard to believe that it's been almost 40 years since John was brutally murdered. One can only imagine what his life would have been like had he not been cut down. The  at times, seemingly, cruelty of a random Universe is well exhibited here; John Lennon dies at 40 and unnamed toxic dirtbags get to walk the earth, unpunished. I suspect that part of the rage that fuels me (quietly) manifests itself in my painting.

Newest work below, "A Day At The Beach" (which painting this was not-tongue firmly planted in aged cheek). 36"x48" with acrylic base coat and Speedball ink impasto topcoat. Needs some very minor tweaks and then a gloss medium on top. The shine is reflected light. Zoom in for some delicious textures.

October 7th

 So, here is the "canvas" version of the color study below. 36"x48" Acrylics "Log Cabin #2"

I replaced the deep violet with the lilac...thanks for viewing!

Wed. Sept.29th,2021

 Staying with the theme of "Log Cabin," this is a study on Strathmore paper 18x24 with Aussie acrylics. Will use the same color patterns on 36x48 canvas.

   

"Log Cabin #2 Study: 18x24 acrylics

Saturday, Sept.18th, 2021

                                                        "Log Cabin #1"

 36"x36" acrylic- when I had shown Lulu the draft for this, she advised me that it's called a Log Cabin pattern in both weaving and quilting. The idea had been rattling in my head for a while- for me, it's taking some of the dynamics that Stanley Whitney does so well and for lack of better term, flip flopping them but in a cohesive form where the different colors can engage the viewer or throw them off balance. Push Pull.

Saturday Sept.11, 2021

 Hard to believe it's been 20 years...like it was yesterday...some new images to help soothe the sorrow..

"Plastictopia #2 36x48 acrylics

                                            "Hansy's Neighborhood" 36"x36" acrylics

                                            "Plastictopia #1 36"x48" acrylics

Thursday, July 22nd

 Summertime and thoughts go to expressions of Nature.

"My Cousin Vinny" 24x36 oil.

Sunday, June 27th

 Wasn't happy with this, originally- see below but came back to it and now I'm very happy with it! And it has a title: "St. Andrew In Repose." Thanks for looking...

24"x36" acrylic undercoats with oil overlays.

Friday, June 25th

 Mercury has finally gone direct and with it comes clarity and a general air of ease. By far and away, this past mercury retrograde was one of the worst for me. Anyway- new work to share. Two paintings that for me are evocative of an era that was critical for me as a young man- LA in the late 60s.

18"x24" all acrylic. "Topanga Canyon."

                                    24"x36" all acrylic. "Laurel Canyon."

Tuesday, June 22nd

Mercury Finally goes Direct..truly kicked my ass this go-around. I have an old ephemeris around that has a quote from Sir Issac Newton that goes something like this, "I, sir, have studied the subject and you have not..." whatever... all I know is that three or four times a year my shit goes sideways and I hate when it happens during my summer break. 

Painting has come with great difficulty for me these past 30 days or so. But I've learned to not push the river and just to ride out the storm. Anyway, not over the moon with this but it's work and it deserves respect. Peace out.

Old gold acrylic undercoat/borders with Matisse acrylics warp with lupus lazuli oil paint as final weft. 24"x36" 

I recognize and accept this fool's errand that I am on and that I'm essentially pissing into a black hole but I don't really give a fuck. I  paint because I must. I don't love this piece but I don't have to because it was a piece that demanded to be made. I am not the author-just the messenger. Love somebody. Love somebody and feel life be real.

 Thursday, June 17th,

Lulu and I would like to thank all our friends and family members who came to our OpenHouse and a big thanks to all the sculptors who came for The Decatur Sculpture Tour. A grand time was had by all!

No new work to speak up as we're still in "recovery" mode but a couple of shots to share.

This painting has shown up in numerous iterations and titles but this is finally completed and re-titled (tip of the hat to the lovely Alexis Atlee for the name) "Klimt's Garden."

"Vincent" has found a wonderful home with Alex Leavell and Emma Beauchamp and looks lovely!

June 8th, 2021

 This is a shot of the grouping of "The American Primitive" series as Lulu and I prepare for our Open House coinciding with the 2021 Decatur Sculpture Tour. We will be opening up studios and gallery to one and all Friday June 11th and Saturday June 12th from 5pm-10pm. Y'all come down and see us. 222 N. 2nd Street, Decatur IN. We cordially ask those not vaccinated to please mask up for the sake of others.

Sunday, May 16th,2021

 Continuing to work with blocks of color  in seemingly random patterns that ultimately find their internal rhythms. "American Primitive #5." More conversations with color. 24"x36" acrylics on linen. It's my first experience painting on linen and I love it.

Monday, May 3rd, 2021

 Continuing with the theme of Conversations With Color is the following: 36"x48" acrylic base with oil . "The Last Crayons In The Box." 

Saturday May 1st, 2021

 Workers Of The World, Unite! Happy May Day to all...new work below- 36"x36" acrylic undercoat with oil impasto on top. Working title, "Conversations With Color." Give it a moment and let the piece speak to you. 

Sunday, April 25, 2021

 New work..."Rust Never Sleeps (Thanks, Neil)" 30"x40" oils with acrylic undercoat. Happy Sunday

Friday, April 23, 2021

 This is titled, "And Then George Condo Went To Lunch." It's 30"x40" all acrylics. Thanks for looking. Make someone's day with a bit of kindness.

Monday, April 19th, 2021

 This, I believe, is now finished...30"x40" all oils. "Spring/Summer."

This is the most recent work. 18"x24" canvas paper with Aussie acrylics.

Supposed to snow tomorrow night 2"-4" Spring in the Midwest. Unpredictable and capricious...peace out.

Wed. April 7th

 New work and some retouched. Let's begin with what was previously titled "Tiger Lillies" is now "Spring/Summer.

I think this works better. More definition and negative space balance. 

This is an interesting size 30"x48" but I'm not pleased with the construction of the canvas. It's a gallery wrapped canvas with 1 1/2 inch construction but the bloody stretcher bars suck but anyway live and learn. "5 Paintings In A Small Space." All oil sticks and clay ribs manipulation. 

Me and my beloved are fully vaccinated but still masking up because it's the fucking decent thing to do. Spring is doing her coy tease but the promise is legitimate and the social/political landscape seems to have cooled down to 98.6 and it feels bloody good! Be kind- sometimes it's all that's left to do. Om mani padre hum. 

Good Friday, April 2,2021

 A "work in progress." 30"x40" canvas -acrylic background and oils and brushes. It's been so long since I've done easel work with oils and brushes and it felt exhilarating. Something from the garden. "Tiger Lillies."

Thursday, April 1st.

 No fooling' around here- bunch of new work to post and I'm very excited by the direction and moreover, the clarity. Hope you enjoy it. And The Orange Toxic Blob is still gone! Hooray!

                               36"x48" Acrylic base then oil/oil sticks. "Torn Curtain." Thanks, Hitch.

                        18"x24" heavy paper- Aussie acrylics with oil stick border- "Australian Skies"

                                Same dims and media as above. "Seascape #6"

All oils/oil sticks 36"x36" "Macbeth's Weird Sisters."

              18"x24" canvas Aussie acrylics and oil stick border "Pink Clouds, Red River and Green Hills."

           18"x24" heavy canvas paper. Acrylic pouring paint and graphite markings. "Just   

                                        Like A Ballerina."

18"x24" heavy paper Aussie acrylics, gold acrylic overlay and oil stick border. "Red Landscape #1"

                            24"x36" canvas Aussie acrylics and oil stick border. "New Mexico Sunset"

So,  after  almost three years, I've figured who I am as a painter. "I'm just a clapped out landscape painter." I can live with that. After the demise of five years+ of profound gaslighting on an institutional level from the executive branch, I am breathing easier and painting freely. Om Mani Padme Hum." Stay safe....

Monday, March 15th, 2021

 Nothing to beware of here, Julius! Lit major joke... two very recent pieces that push me out into the deep end, stylistically but I think still keeps me grounded in color and effect.

"Colored Rain On A Window Pane" 30"x40" acrylic layers. Oil stick border and linseed oil/bee's wax finish.

"Primary Colors" 18"x24" study. Iridescent pearl acrylic base coat with acrylics on top. Oil stick border.

And the good news remains, "Voldemort" is still gone. Let the healing begin. Peace/Out

Thursday, March 4, 2021

 Time has this frightening capacity to escape, no matter how tightly we grasp it or conversely, let it go.

Anyway, on to the show n tell. Four new pieces that are worth viewing.

"Bondi Beach #1  18"x24" study. Turkey Red oil stick border with Derivan Matisse flow acrylics which are made in Australia and are my new favorite paints. This is a study piece. The larger version is below.

"The Ghosts Of Christmas Past"- 30"x40" oil stick border and acrylics with bee's wax finish

"Bondi Beach #2" 30"x40" apple red acrylic enamel base with those yummy Aussie acrylics on top.

 

"Original Sin" 30"x40" -there are three different paintings under this puppy. Base coat is oil enamel yellow with oil stick markings.

Thank you so much for looking. Take care, be kind...and mask up! And oh yeah, Trump is still gone!

Thurs. January 14th, 2021

 Hard to believe that I've not posted in a month and a half. It's not because of a lack of work to post but moreover it's the daily assault on sensibility and dignity that has crippled me. Words cannot convey the outrage and horror as a result of this insurrection and sedition draped in the false cloak of so-called patriotism. 

But History will judge and record the actions of these evil people and it will not be kind but will be true. All tyrants meet the same end, discarded into The Dustbin of Mediocrity and Disdain-

In no particular order, work from the last two months-

Not a good photo but it captures the gist. On canvas paper (18x24) with a base of acrylic pouring paint then overlaid with acrylic and ink and then scrapped to reveal staining . Has no title, yet. It'll tell me it's name, in time.

"Christmas In Miami"- 30"x40"- I bought some acrylic paint and didn't look at it closely and was shocked  at it's "thinness"- it didn't cover. Turns out the paint is meant to be poured directly onto the canvas. I did multiple layers and then scrapped it off. A layer of gold acrylic and then finally overlays of red and teal oil paint.

30"x40" "Tiny Dancer"- the deep violet background is acrylic and then the rest is oil sticks manipulated with the markings in oil pastels. It has a home with our friends, Jeff and Cindy.

This is a small canvas 18"x24" and is all in brushed oils over oil pastels. "Vermeer Study."

This is 48"x96" unprimed canvas all oil paint. "Astral Weeks." The images below are closeups of the work which I hope capture the details and labor. I'm very proud of this and look forward to having it stretched and framed.

Thanks for looking and  I want to leave todays post on a positive; on January 20th, we will hopefully usher a new era in American Life- a measured and scientific response to this Pandemic and a return to civil life.