Fritos: Full-Sized on Canvas

Fritos
oil on canvas
30'' x 30"

One of the reasons I usually don't take on commissioned work is the near complete loss of creative control that comes with "design by committee". The first two pieces completed for the corporate commission have been rejected for reasons, that from an artists stand point, seem kind of absurd. From the corporate view point, I suppose they may have some validity. I don't have a businsess head, so I don't really get it. For now the commission is still a work in progress. The subject of these paintings is going into round four of discussion amongst the higer-ups. Until they come to a consensus I'll just concentrate on other work. I'm still optomistic that in the end we can come to a resolution that will be acceptable to all. The people there are genuinely nice, and I think it's tough for them, as well, to try and please everyone.

I do think this experience has opened my eyes to new subjects that may have real potential. Hopefully they will provide both appeal for collectors, and on my end, yield a theme that is also a pleasure to paint. Stricoff Fine Art, Ltd. has expressed interest in both of these paintings, and I will be shipping them to New York later this week. I'll post the second painting in a few days. It will be interesting to see how they are received. If they do well I will probably continue to paint some of the compositions originally intended for the commission, and offer them to the galleries.

A side note about technique: I usually obtain my surface material from the Home Depot, 1/4 MDF that I cut, and prep myself, but this week I purchased a commercially made hardboard panel with a canvas like finish. It's produced by Dick Blick, and I'm excited to see how it takes paint. Another plus to this product is that it comes with pre-drilled hole in the back for hanging. It will be used for one of the paintings I'm currently working on for ebay. These will be listed starting monday of next week.

Pool Bowl No. 8

Pool Bowl No. 8
oil on plywood panel
6'' x 6"

I got some good news today. I was accepted into the Daily Paintworks group. A slot came open a little while back, and they asked me if I'd like to place my name for submission. I said I'd love to join, and today was warmly welcomed by the participating artists. The Paintworks is composed of some very talented artists, and I'm extremely proud to even have been considered for inclusion. Thanks all, it's an honor.

The final selection for this weeks ebay paintings is the ubiquitous pool balls. This composition is a fragment from a composition I plan to do larger in the future. The decision of whether that means medium large, or large large, will be determined later. I still plan to do one of these huge one day. I think, if I didn't screw it up, it could be very cool. If you'd like to bid on this piece, you can participate in the auction by clicking here.

Half Perc

Half Perc
oil on plywood panel
6'' x 6"

Painting number four this week is one of my new (old) percolators. New in the sense that I recently aquired it on the internet. ebay is a great place for tracking down props for still lifes. It seems you can find virtually anything your looking for there. Plus it's fun just to look. Scouring their site searching for vintage items can be very satisfying. There's a lot of very cool stuff out there. I went a little crazy a couple of weeks ago in my quest for a classic toaster. I bid on a bunch of them because they were relatively inexpensive. I assumed that I would be outbid on at least a couple. I wound up with five, having won all my auctions. These should start showing up in paintings in the not too distant future. There was one added bonus, they make really good toast. If you'd like to bid on the Percolator, you can participate in the auction by clicking here.

Paper Goblet

Paper Goblet
oil on plywood panel
6'' x 6"

When I purchased this little goblet the shop owner wrapped it in white craft paper. When I got it home, and unwrapped it I thought it looked great sitting within the folds of that paper on our kitchen table. I grabbed my camera, and took a bunch of photos. The goblets came in a group of three. You can see the other two reflected in its' surface, along with the kitchen, and the paper. These tiny silver goblets have such a wonderful shape. They distort the reflected room beautifully. I knew the moment I came across them in the antique store I had found a gem. If you would like to participate in the auction of this painting you can place a bid by clicking here.

Cherries on Linen

Cherries on Linen
oil on plywood panel
6'' x 6"

The morning was spent packaging up a bunch of Karens' paintings that are headed up to Wynne/Falconer Gallery. It's a nice group, and I think she's going to do well there this year. Got back in time to finish up the second pass on this cherry piece. The little hint of fabric in this painting has me itching to do a more elaborate piece incorporating lots of folds. Something to think about. If you'd like to bid on this painting you can access the auction by clicking here.

Onion Bag

Onion Bag
oil on plywood panel
6'' x 6"

I feel like I've been gone for a really long time. The last couple of weeks have been a bit stressful, also fun. Karen and I have been nursing a sick kitty back to health. Our male cat Max had something going on that no one seemed to be able to figure out. Lots of tests, and a few trips to the vet later, and he seems to be his old self once again. Whew! We were sweating there for a while. All the life threatening tests came back negative. It's painful waiting for those results. Anyway, he's back, and apparently good as new.

About the time Max got well my brother Doug came into town from New York. This was the fun part. We only get to see him once or twice a year, so a visit is something special. He was here for only a couple of days, but it was fun to catch up, and hang out. I hated to see him go. Doug, if you happen to read this post, I love you bro. One of these days we need to head up to NYC again, and visit you!

Above is the first of five paintings to be auctioned on ebay this week. I wanted to paint more produce in a plastic bag, and it was a toss up between cherries, or these onions. Since I have another cherry piece going up this week, I opted for the onions. I know these bags are environmentally unsound, but aesthetically they can be very beautiful. Anyone interested in participating in the auction of this painting can place a bid by clicking here.

Bulb Vase No. 3

Bulb Vase No. 3
oil on hardboard panel
6'' x 6"

Here's the final 6 x 6 for this weeks ebay listings. I was in the mood to do some light bulbs again. I'm still trying to figure out how to get that wonderful frosty/glassy quality they possess. I'll be working on a few new pieces for Wynne/Falconer in the next couple of weeks. Karen and I have a show there on July 26th, and I wanted to get more paintings ready for that. I'll post those as they are completed. There's a chance that I'll try, and squeeze some ebay work in the mix too. It depends on how smoothly things go with the show paintings. I'll play it by ear. If you'd like to bid on the painting above you can access the auction by clicking here.

Pool Bowl No. 7

Pool Bowl No. 7
oil on hardboard panel
6'' x 6"

I've got a larger Pool Bowl planned for one of my galleries, and was thinking this composition could be that one. If thist turns out to be the case, then this painting could be considered a study. I have a number of other compositions to choose from also, and may wind up just picking one of them. I never know until have the canvas in my hand, and am ready to begin. If you'd like to bid on this painting you can participate in the auction by clicking here.

Hamilton Beach Mixer No. 2

Hamilton Beach Mixer No. 2
oil on hardboard panel
6'' x 6"

I had such a good time painting this little Hamilton Beach mixer. The more mechanical a subject is, the more I enjoy painting it. I hope this piece will find an audience, because I'd love to paint many more variations. If you'd like to bid on this painting you can participate in the bidding by clicking here.

Cherry Goblet No. 4

Cherry Goblet No. 4
oil on hardboard panel
6'' x 6"

Number two of this weeks ebay offerings. These little goblets are popular, and fun to paint so it's back again. Cherries are back in the stores, so they will probably be a common theme for a while. For those of you who may be interested in bidding on this painting, you can access the auction by clicking here.

Cherry Bowl

Cherry Bowl
oil on plywood panel
6'' x 6"

This is the first of five six by sixers to be listed on ebay this week. I'm finishing up the other four, and will return to the Hamilton Beach mixer when they are complete. I sold one painting at the Affordable Art Fair in New York last week. The big milkshake mixer I posted on May 31st. So . . . I feel pretty comfortable that there will be another one coming up in the not too distant future.

The corporate commission has been on hold for a while. The "higher-ups" are rethinking my original vision. My idea may still survive, but it is currently being discussed. I just have to wait for the marketing manager to make a decision. If I have to modifiy my plan, I'll probably find myself shopping around the first two paintings that are allready complete. I think I could probably find a gallery to take one or both without too much trouble.

If you'd like to take part in the auction for the painting above, you can access the bidding by clicking here.

Pear on the Edge

Pear on the Edge
oil on gallery wrapped canvas
12'' x 16"

Here is the second of the two paintings I got back from one of my galleries. I will offer this for auction, before I begin to shop it around to my other galleries. I've finished the underpainting of the latest mixer painting, but have decided to put it on hold for a week while I work on the next grouping of ebay paintings. I'll return to it when they are completed. I was debating whether or not to post an in progress image. Not sure. I'll just wait and see how I feel about it later in the week. Anyone interested in bidding on the painting above can access the auction by clicking here.

Resting Pear

Resting Pear
oil on gallery wrapped canvas
10'' x 12"

I just got back a couple of paintings from one of my galleries, and decided to offer them at auction on ebay before I began the process of shopping them around. One of the advantages of having multiple galleries is that if a piece doesn't work at one, there's a good chance that it will sell in a different location. I felt, at the completion of both of these, that they were two of my more painterly works, and was very happy with them. For those of you who may be interested in bidding on them, you can access the auction by clicking here.

The new mixer painting is still on the easel, and probably will be for a while. It's turned out to be a big job, but I'm having a good time with it. As I mentioned before, the composition a little odd, but I think it's very cool.

I'm also working on a new group of six by six ebay paintings. Everything is drawn out, and ready to go. If all works out according to schedule the first of the five should go up next monday night.

Pool Bowl No. 6

Pool Bowl No. 6
oil on canvas
6'' x 6"

I'm finishing off this week of auctions with a bowl of pool balls. I think I've said about all there is to say about this particular theme. There will be more. It's the only subject where I get to use all the colors. Tomorrow I'll start on the new mixer for Stricoff Fine Art, Ltd. Can't wait. If you'd like to bid on this painting you can access the auction by clicking here.

Radio Tube

Radio Tube
oil on canvas
6'' x 6"

Tonights painting has a personal historical significance. My paternal grandfather had a tv and radio repair shop in Decatur Illinois for a number of years. He was also responisible for setting up most of the PA systems in town. If someone needed to speak through a microphone to a crowd in Decatur, it's likely that he was somewhere behind the scenes.

My family lived there briefly in the late 50's, and during that time my dad worked with him. Hollingworth Sound was the name of the shop, and it was a fun place to visit. For one thing, he had his own Coca Cola machine. That was very cool. Five cents for a coke. In a glass bottle. That you returned for money.

Work benches, oscilloscopes, soldering guns, televisions and radios filled every available space. Radio tubes like the one above were everywhere. Even as a kid I appreciated the esthetic beauty of these components. It was exciting to watch them begin to glow as the tv was switched on. I never understood their function, still don't. All I know is that they've pretty much been replaced by transistors. What ever they do.

I thought this could be something that would look really cool . . . huge. At least 30 x 30. I'm not sure. I doubt that many people would have any idea what it was. I'm going to think about it. For those of you who may be interested in bidding on this painting, you can access the auction by clicking here.

15 Goblets

15 Goblets
oil on canvas
6'' x 6"

This was done as a study. I've had this image in my "to do" folder for quite some time, but never got around to painting it. I've cropped it here to get a general sense of the composition. The full version would be larger, and contain the all three goblets in a horizontal format. I feel that it works. My favorite aspect of the image is the multiple descending reflections of each goblet in their neighbor. If this is done again in a larger format, I think I could possibly add yet another level of reflection. I doubt if I could achieve that level of detail on canvas, so I would probably have to construct a box with a masonite surface. We'll see. Anyone interested in bidding on this painting, can access the auction by clicking here.

Maple Leaf No. 4

Maple Leaf No.4
oil on canvas
6'' x 6"

I had enough red paint left on my pallette to do another maple leaf, so I figured why not. They are one of my "prettier" subjects, and I enjoy painting them. I love the crispness of the highlighted leaves contrasted by the less focused red leaves in the background. The seed pods in the foreground really give the painting a sense of depth. This was a fun one.

I was victorious with my first ebay auction this afternoon. A great looking vintage toaster. Hope my luck holds with my upcoming auctions. There's a specific mixer, and another toaster I really want to get my hands on.

Anyone wishing to participate in the auction of the Mape Leaf can bid by clicking here.

PB&J No. 8

PB & J No.8
oil on canvas
6'' x 6"

Before I got to work finishing up tonights painting, I spent a little time on ebay searching for some new subject matter. Back to the kitchens of old. Came across some great looking toasters, and a couple of vintage mixers. I'm pretty excited. Just hope I come out victorious in the bidding. I think these new finds could make for some great compositions.

I'll be putting up a new group of five six by sixers each night this week, then I've got a new large canvas drawn out for a painting destined for Stricoff. One of my current classic mixers. The composition is a little different than the previous versions of this subject, but I think it looks pretty cool. Can't wait to see how it turns out.

For those of you who may be interested in bidding on the painting above, you can link to the auction by clicking here.

Hamilton Beach No. 3

Hamilton Beach No.3
oil on canvas
24'' x 36"

My site has been a bit stagnent for a while I know. I've been working on a new milkshake mixer for Stricoff Fine Art, Ltd., and it's taken nearly all of that time to complete. This is similar to the last incarnation, but I wanted to paint the mixing blades. I just though they looked cool. I'll be shipping this up to them in a week or so.

In the mean time I've begun a new group of ebay paintings. I've got four underpaintings done, and hopefully I'll get number five done today. If all goes well number one will be listed on monday night.



Karen and I will be going out tonight to attend the opening night reception of our friend Leslie Cohen. She's having a one man show at the Heaven Blue Rose Gallery in Roswell. The image above doesn't do her work justice. She utilizes a technique which replicates hand etching, and it is equisitely beautiful. You need to see her paintings in person to fully appreciate them. Leslie and her husband Jeff have also recently been taken on by the Wynne/Falconer gallery on Cape Cod. They will be having a two-man show there on September 6th.

Eight Ball No. 2

Eight Ball No.2
oil on plywood panel
6'' x 6"

I wanted to get a fifth painting up for my "week" of ebay paintings. I could only manage to get four up last week. The portrait didn't survive, so I replaced it with this eight ball. I really enjoy painting pool balls, but there is something special about the black one. It's a challenge working only in blacks, blues and shades of grey. This is another subject I'd like to try large one day.

The third commissioned piece is on temporary hold while I paint a third Hamilton Beach milkshake mixer for Stricoff Fine Art, Ltd. I recently got the word that they had sold the last one, and would love to have another. The affordable art fair is coming up soon in New York, and I thought it would be a good idea to have it up there in time for that. I'll get back to the commission when the mixer is complete.

If anyone is interested in bidding on this piece you can access the auction by clicking here.