Happy New Year with VW

VW   |   30 x 30   |   Oil on panel

It's the time of year when I, sincerely, like to thank all of the people who have taken the time to visit my blog. It really means a lot to me, so thank you! 

I've been working on this piece for a while now and was hoping to get it in under the wire to be my final painting for 2018. Made it with a few hours to spare. I came across this bug in the parking lot of our local Whole Foods and took a bunch of shots for a possible future painting. I've owned two beetles in my life so I have a definite soft spot in my heart for this little car. When I was working up the composition I couldn't get the 1959 DDB Advertising Agency's "Think Small" campaign out of my head, so I stole it. I made sure to use the correct typeface (futura) then matched up the kerning, and other modifications to come as close as I could to the original ad. I grew up with those ads and seeing as how this will be the final year of the beetle it felt appropriate.

State Fair   |   24 x 36   |   Oil on panel

I've had the itch lately to try something "different". A couple of autumns ago Karen, my brother Doug and I went to the Georgia State Fair. I felt that the event would provide some interesting photography so I brought along my Fuji. The next day I was going through my photos and came across a half a dozen shots of peoples legs and feet hanging out of the skybucket as the passengers  were towed above the fair grounds at dusk. I always liked those images but feared they were just a little too "different" from what I usually paint, and may not be positively received. So I banked those photos for the last couple of years waiting for the right moment. I finally built up the nerve and now that it's done, I have to say I'm pretty happy with it. 

Karen's Solo Show at Shain Gallery

Karen and I drove up to Charlotte Friday to attend the reception of her solo show at Shain Gallery. We headed out of Atlanta a little before 7. With warm beverages within reach and Stephen King's the Stand playing on the iPod I hit the cruise control and we were off.

We got into town around 11 and stopped by the gallery to say hello and check out the room. The space looked great. Sybil Godwin, the gallery owner, and her staff had done a wonderful job of hanging the paintings. After spending some time getting reacquainted with everyone Karen and I drove over to our favorite restaurant CO for two bowls of Curry Laksa. 

With lunch under our belts we went to our hotel to check in. We stayed at the LeMéridien last year and liked it so much we decided to stay there again this year. At check in the desk clerk made us, "guests of the day"! I guess she thought we had nice faces. As a result we got free valet parking, free breakfast and they upgraded our room to a suite on the 16th floor with walls of windows on two sides. Spectacular view. 

At six we entered the gallery and the first patrons were just beginning to arrive. The weather that evening was perfect and it wasn't long before the gallery was full. Karen, who is usually a little apprehensive about being the center of attention, soon got into a comfortable groove with the crowd. Which was good because everyone wanted to speak with her. When the show was over she and I said to each other,  "this is about as good as it gets".  

Oh, and one last thing, Karen sold sixteen of the twenty paintings she did for the show!

As things were winding up at the gallery I was talking to Bill Godwin, Sybil's husband about where Karen and I might have dinner. He knew we were vegans and said he, a devout carnivore, had heard good things about Luna's Living Kitchen, so we went there. It was a little hard to find, especially in the dark in an unfamiliar city, but eventually Siri and a phone call got us there. The structure had a nice open air industrial chic design with large funky art on the walls. Everything on the menu was all whole food plant based with no processed products. Not even tofu. Our server was friendly, I mean really friendly, and was happy to spend as much time as we needed describing items on the menu. We started with a nut based cheese plate, which sounds strange but was really good, then Karen had the Carrot humus bowl and I had the Mexican bowl. Man! Karen commented to me about half way through her entree, "this is the best salad I've ever had in my life". That coming from someone who eats a lot of salads. I wish there was a Living Kitchen in Atlanta. 

The next morning after our (free) breakfast we set the Garmin for home and drove back still riding the high of the night before. All in all a virtually perfect couple of days. 

Here are a few images of the reception:

One of the first patrons to arrive

     

Sybil, the gallery owner second from the left running the show

Karen with one of the guests

Wall with a couple of red dots

Visitors 

Lou, running the bar and Eli, on the right, Sybil's gallery director

Karen with Sybil's husband Bill speaking with a guest

Kimberly the new gallery manager & Lou 

Pool Bowl No. 27

Pool Bowl No. 27  |  16 x 16  |  Oil on panel

I occasionally paint on canvas, sometimes on MDF or Masonite, but mostly I use an Ampersand Gessoboard, toned to a, somewhat, neutral grey in acrylic, then sanded with 220 grit sandpaper when it's dry. More often than not that provides me with a pretty nice base to paint on, but every once in a while, for reasons I don't understand, the paint just wants to reject the surface. When this is the case I know I'm in for a long hard battle. This was one of those paintings. It turned out pretty good in the end, but I'm still bruised. Once this has dried and been varnished it's going to Rehs Galleries in NYC.

Pool Bowl: Work in Progress

Pool Bowl: Work in Progress   |   16 x 16   |   Oil on panel

I haven't posted a work in progress image in quite a while, so here is what I'm currently working on. One of my Pool Bowl paintings. Closing in on the completion of the first pass. When it's done it will follow the Sunbeam Mixer to Rehs Galleries in NYC. 

Print Pack Boardroom

Spalding Nix of Spalding Nix Fine Art has been working as liaison between Print Pack Inc., and me for years procuring commissioned paintings of products they produce the labels for to hang in their boardroom. A few days ago Spalding sent me a cell phone shot of the wall as it looks today. It was really fun to see them all together. We're currently working out the details for adding a possible Starbucks Coffee piece sometime in the future.  

Sunbeam Mixmaster

Sunbeam Mixmaster  |  24 x 24  |  Oil on panel

Before I comment on this painting I want to thank Karin Jurick and Brett Trowbridge for giving me this mixer. They found it at a flea market and felt I could make good use of it. They were correct, so again, thank you! I'm not exactly sure how many times I've painted this appliance but I think this may be the most detailed version so far. When it's dry and ready it's off to Reh's gallery. The next painting will be a "Pool Bowl" by request. 

Five & Under Show at Arcadia Contemporary

Honda: Aft   |   12 x 12   |   Oil on panel

Honda: Fore   |   12 x 12   |   Oil on panel

The reception for the Five & Under Show at Arcadia Contemporary took place Saturday evening and from what I can glean from the internet it went pretty well. I haven't heard if anything sold yet. Fingers crossed. Thank you Steve and Nora for inviting me to participate.

http://www.arcadiacontemporary.com/

Detail of Paintings for the 5 & Under Show at Arcadia

The Five and Under Show at Arcadia Gallery is coming up August 18th and they wanted the artists to refrain from posting images of entire paintings until the show opens. Build up curiosity and enthusiasm, so here are two "details" of my two 12 x 12 paintings. Same bike but different locations. When the show opens I'll post full images of both paintings. 

Click here for more information on the show:

http://www.arcadiacontemporary.com/exhibitions/2018/five-and-under-2018/

Corporate Commission: Goldfish

Goldfish   |   30 x 30   |   Oil on canvas

This was a tough one, but it's finally done. I'm pretty happy with it. Goldfish aficionados may have noticed that the little starburst in the big guy's sunglasses is missing. It was added after I had already shot the photo of the completed painting. Now, onto something a little smaller.

Honda Metropolitan

Honda Metropolitan   |   24 x 24   |   Oil on panel

Finished up a Honda Metropolitan last night. This will be shipped out to C.K. Contemporary as soon as it's varnished. I'll be starting a corporate commission tomorrow. I've had to delay them for over a year for various reasons, and I think they've waited long enough.

Karen's Solo Show: Principle Gallery 2018

Karen and Frank checking out the gallery prior to Friday's opening

Karen and I just got back from Charleston where we attended the opening reception of Karen's Solo Show Friday evening at Principle Gallery. 

Airliner over Charleston

Our drive was a breeze and when we arrived we were greeted by spectacular weather. After we met up with Frank, Thomas and Greer we made our way out into the streets of Charleston. 

View from the steps of the Gibbs Museum

One of the greatest things about Charleston is its architecture. 

Queen Street

After a long walk and our traditional dinner at CO on King street we headed back to the gallery to check in one more time before we called it a night.

View of the Gibbs Museum from our apartment Friday morning

Thursday night we made the decision to finally visit the Gibbs Museum. It's right next door to Principle Gallery but we've never gone in, so Friday morning after a walk down to the battery, and breakfast at Eli's Table we were there. I wasn't sure what to expect, but was really impressed. One of the highlights was painting by one of my favorite realist painters Robert Bechtle. 

Kona Kai  1967 by Robert Bechtle

After an early dinner at the Brown Dog Deli on Broad Street we headed back to the apartment to get cleaned up for the reception.

Critiquing one of Karen's paintings

Doors opened at 5, and it wasn't long . . .  

A nice crowd

. . . before the gallery began to fill.

Close Analysis

Karen told me later that night that a lot of the guests she spoke with were artists themselves, which was great for her because she loves talking art.

One of five red dots

It was a pretty diverse crowd and from the conversations I overheard they all seemed to really love the work.

Another red dot

The opening was to run from 5 to 8 but it was after 9 before the doors finally closed.

Thomas working the room

By the end of the evening Frank, Thomas and Greer and done their job and sold five of Karen's paintings. We said our goodbyes that night because the Cooper Bridge Run was the next morning and we weren't sure how it was going to affect traffic, and we wanted to bug out early. It was a really nice couple of days in a fun city. Can't wait until next year to go back.

Sears Spaceliner Diptych

Sears Spaceliner   |   24 x 48   |   Oil on panel

Combined.

Sears Spaceliner - fore portion of diptych

After many delays, numerous distractions and more than a few detours I've finally finished the front portion of the Sears Spaceliner diptych. My problem now is how to display them. 1.) Paint the sides the background color then hang them side by side without framing them. Good but the hardboard panels are brittle and the edges can easily chip. 2.) Frame each one separately. Good but there's a lot of bulk in two frames hanging side by side. 3.) Frame them both within a single frame with a small space between each panel. Good, but does it loose some of that "diptych" quality? This option also limits the hanging possibilities. This is going to take some thought.

Sears Spaceliner - aft portion of diptych

Spaceliner  |  24 x 24  |  Oil on panel

Well, painting during the breaks between seemingly endless distractions I was finally able to finish the aft portion of my Sears Spaceliner diptych. I believe a more conducive working environment is in my future, so I'm confident that the "fore" portion will go much quicker. 

Happy New Year!

I just wanted to thank everyone who took the time to visit my site this year and I hope you all have a great 2018!