Wed. May 8th...counting down the days. Doing small work. This is oil on paper 11"x14"

"Blue Spring"

Saturday May 4, 2019,

Counting down the days until I finish teaching and can focus full-time on painting. Spring is wet but here.

I've been struggling with the 3rd and 4th quadrants of this but I think I've got the 3rd sorted with the Cadmium Yellow. The last panel still needs work but all in all, I'm OK with this. Don't forget Mom next Sunday May 12th.

Sunday, April 28th-Been busy...have a couple of studies going and the large pieces seem to capture my intent . Not quite finished but I'm feeling good about where they are headed.  It's all about the color and composition is all I can really say. Either it sings or doesn't. But it's also about mood which would explain them being titled after composers.

This is the 16"x24" study for "Debussy" which is kinda oblivious but works. I really love the Provence Blue at the top and the Pale Cerulean at the bottom ain't bad, either. Photos don't do the work justice- the nuances  are lost but I think most can get the drift

This is the 3ftx4ft version very early days yet...the colors need to fade and blend.

This originally started life as "Colorado" ( see earlier blogs) and after numerous sessions of subtractive painting has become "Sibelius" 3ftx4ft

Early days-working title, "Ravel"

This is the working study for a difficult piece (makes sense given the title) "Wagner." What appears to be black is in fact Indigo and the top is Cobalt Blue on top of a turquoise undercoat/ Both the study and 3ftx4ft need a lot of work abut I'm looking forward to see how they turn out. 

"Sturm and Drang," hopefully. Love the German Romantics.

Better photo of the work study and large version of "Debussy."

I think this is finally finished and named. I thank my sister-in-law, MaryAnne, for the title.

"Good Friday" 3ftx4ft oil on canvas

Monday April 22nd,

Took a day off and enjoyed the full onslaught of true Spring. Did some garden chores and made it into the studio to do some maintenance. Received a lovely book of Wolf Kahn's pastels. He's been an influence before I even knew. Looking forward to moving into the new studio so I can do some table work-- Sometimes I need a break from canvas and oil and need to get small...These are oil pastels and fairly small- the trees are 11"x14"- the others are much smaller. Enjoy.

I did this last year on 5"x8" photo paper with oil pastels and I hadn't yet looked at a Wolf Kahn image. "Black Birches in Fall" 2018. Lulu's collection

This was done tonight. Oil pastels on 11"x14" oil paper. 

"Orchards" 2019

This is in Lulu's collection. Oil pastels. 5"x8" "Lilies" 2018

This is also from Lulu's collection . I have two Jade Tree's in my studio- this is the small one . She's about 10 years old and is fairly large but compared to the 20 year old that she shares my studio with me, she's small. Oil pastels on oil paper 11"x14" 2018

Saturday, April 20th,

I have fallen in love with the work of Wolf Kahn. The simplicity of his brilliant work doesn't obscure the incredible complexity and depth of his beauty. His writing is equally as exquisite and I came across this utter gem,"...This episode provides another instance of the futility of judging the quality of one's own work, except in retrospect. I would like to hang these words above my studio door: "I just work here.""

I have done just that...

Friday, April 19, 2019

It's Good Friday, and in lieu of the madness that absorbs our Republic, I can only work. We are being "gaslighted" on an industrial level. I withdraw from that life and  commit to this life.

So it starts with this:

Squiggles of glorious oil paint and with a 36" squeegee and a silly bloody baking tool it becomes this:

"Lulu Amour" 36" x 48" Oil and Printers Ink

Wed. April, 17th- been a while and I thought it best to do some updates otherwise, what's the point of   doing this bloody blog ( I'm gonna call it a plog-get it?)The "Painting Outside The Lines" show at ACE 40.8 on Saturday, April 13th was an overwhelming success. Gallery estimated that around 200 people showed up and I was absolutely floored by the response of the good folks of Decatur. Even more mind blowing was that paintings were bought by some really wonderful people and I feel like my paintings have found great homes. First, I want to thank my beloved, LuLu, for all her support and belief. To my fellow ACEs, Greg, Tiffany, Shaun and Nicki, Shelby, Jerry and Brett; thank you for your unswerving support and belief. I am truly humbled by your love and kindness. To all the fine folks who came out, thank you so much. And to my patrons, wow...

Hoping to get into the new studio by the end of May and that will mark, for me, a new beginning. Larger space, larger canvases, more work...

Keep painting...

"Martha, My Dear" (New Orleans Series)- oil pastels on paper with linseed oil wash

Tiffany & Gregory Mendez Collection