Distractions Have Descended

It's June and I have a graduating senior in high school. Painting has taken a back seat. I will try and continue posting my two new works per week on facebook. It's been good to have a goal like that. I am grateful I have the kind of job that I can take time off without a moments notice.

'Dead End'  7"x9"

Portrait of Faith Ringgold  5"x10"

'Lick Me' 8"x9" 2013

(sold)

'Pug Antics'  8"x9"

more Exercises in Fun

A few more color/shape studies. I'm finding these very meditative to work on. And they're small so it's been nice to sit at a drawing table instead of at an easel. Changes are good-they get a different part of your brain activated. That's my theory anyways. The next one includes a dog so stay tuned!

Exercises in Fun

I am having a blast doing these little "color studies." There's something that seems absurdly delicious about painting so painstakingly something that could be done so easily on the computer. (easy for some-not for me!) And letting the shapes be imperfect.

Don't know how long I will do these, don't know where it's taking me, don't know if they will sell and frankly I don't really give a damn. Right now it's about having fun for me. Please enjoy!

how bout this weather?  2013   9x9

Spacey  2013  9x9

Inspiration

It's funny what can inspire one. I was driving home one day and boom I saw this road sign. It hit me for some reason. And then lo and behold it ended up in this painting. (along with a shape study)

'which way' 2013

New Energy Required & Received

I was getting bored with myself...

I admire artists that have a very specific style, Mike Egan, Teresa Cox and Lisa Nankivil to name a few. It's like it's in their DNA and whatever they do it just comes out "their" way. I don't feel I fit into that category. Perhaps I can't be objective about my "style" if there is one. Or maybe I haven't found that sweet spot where I say to myself, "this is it!" And maybe that's just not a part of my artistic journey-cheesy as that sounds. As soon as I start a "series" I get bored and/or I feel a pressure to keep doing "like" things. It does my head in. Maybe it stems from years of an unsatisfactory illustration career-people telling me what, when and how to do it. I want to feel the flow and have the freedom and lack of inhibitions to just go with it!

My latest three paintings, shown here, feel quite different to me(except not the middle one so much). I am editing more, tightening up, and sometimes by the end there's a message to share although that is not my original intent.

These make me excited to paint again! And for the first time I don't care[too much] how they're received or perceived.

It's not a series, but an investigation. A fun one!

'chatterer' 16x22 

'blackbird giving advice' 12x10

'crow taking credit' 9x12

Black Clouds Du Jour

Sifting through the black clouds of the day. Not a daily occurrence but, depending on what's going on and/or how present I am or not, can be.
Wake up, first thought: it's Thursday...what do I have to be anxious about today? dentist, kid #1, 2 or 3..going to that party...you get the picture.

Black Clouds Du Jour  2013

This or That?

There are times when I feel like a chronic undecider(a word I coined for the purpose of this painting. At least I don't think it's a proper word) I can rework something until I drive myself a little crazy. But when it's right, I know it, and then I can stop...momentarily.

'Chronic Undecider' 10x9 acrylic on wood block