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.

Bread Bag No. 6

Bread Bag No.6
oil on plywood panel
6'' x 6"

I'm not positive, but I think this is the sixth incarnation of this particular theme. Karen is always encouraging me to, "do more bread", so here is more bread. Not complaining. I really enjoy painting bread. And plastic too.

I spent the day working on the first pass of a portrait. A 6 x 6 intended for ebay, but I'm not sure what I think of it yet. I had been jonesing to paint a face for sometime, but I'm pretty rusty, and it may never make it to the blog. I'll have to wait, and see how the subsequent layers turn out.

Anyone interested in bidding on the Bread Bag, can access the auction by clicking here.

Cherry Can No. 3

Cherry Can No.3
oil on plywood panel
6'' x 6"

"It is very likely, that in the future, there will be a few more paintings similar to this one".

And here it is. This is yet another composition of the the Cherry Can I painted for the winter show at Twinhouse. I took a lot of photographs of this subject, and always intended to utilize more of the many images resulting from that shoot.

Work on the third full sized commission painting should begin in a couple of days. When I think about it today, I think it will probably be the coffee bag. I'll know friday morning when I set down at my easel.

Anyone interested in bidding on the Cherry Can can link to the auction by clicking here.

Coffee Master No. 2

Coffee Master No.2
oil on plywood panel
6'' x 6"

It's been a little while since I had done something "shiny", so I went back to my favorite percolator. I inherited this Coffee Master from my folks who had received it as a wedding gift in 1951. They knew that I had coveted it since childhood, so they let me have it when they moved into their current apartment. It's still in great shape, and I suppose it would make a good cup of coffee if I gave it a chance. The percolator comes in two parts, and has such a wonderful shape. It distorts its' surroundings beautifully. A great subject for painting!

It you'd like to bid on this painting, you can access the auction by clicking here.

Maple Leaf No. 3

Maple Leaf No.3
oil on plywood panel
6'' x 6"

Last year I painted a couple of maple leaf compositions, and really enjoyed doing them. They received a of attention, and resulted in a commission to do another as the logo for a new wine offered by the Maple Vineyards in California. So, I figured I paint another. Create an opportunity to use some red paint.

I still haven't decided on which of the corporate pieces I'll do next. I may have to flip a coin. That can wait until I complete this group of ebay paintings. Which ever of these compositions gets the nod, it should be started by the end of this week.

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

Corporate Commission No. 2: Bread Bag

Commissioned Painting No.2: Bread Bag
oil on canvas
30'' x 30"

Here is the second of five commissioned paintings for the Printpack Corporation. Number three may be the strawberry bag. I'm sort of on a roll with the plastic wrap, and was thinking it would be a good idea to use that momentum, and continue with that theme. The response to the study on ebay was encouraging, but I am torn because of the fact that I'm really itching to paint the coffee bag, and hershey bar.

In the mean time I've been working on a new group of ebay paintings for next week. At the moment I have two underpaintings done, and three drawings. It feels like a good group. The first of these will show up on ebay monday night at nine. Anyone interested in bidding on any of my current offerings can access my listings page by clicking here.

Pool Bowl No. 5

Pool Bowl No.5
oil on plywood panel
6'' x 6"

I've returned once again to one of my favorite subjects. I don't know what more I can say about this particular theme, other than I get a huge amount of pleasure from painting these colorful spheres. Plus, there's something very appealing about composing them in a glass bowl. At least for me that is. I especially love the distortion imparted by the ridges in the bowl.

Even though it's a small painting, and please excuse my enthusiasm for my own work, but I think this could be one of my favorite incarnations of this theme. I'm very happy with it. I spent an unacceptable amount of time on it, hence the inflated reserve price I've placed on it for ebay, but it seemed to be going in a good direction, so I just went with it.


Paper Doll by Jeanie Tomanek
oil / collage
36'' x 48"

Karen and I are heading into town this evening to attend the opening night reception at Mason Murer Gallery promoting our friend, and awsome artist Jeanie Tomanek. It's a group show which includes Jeanie, and two other artists. One of the other artists is James McLaughlin Way. A man Karen and I bow down to in most humble admiration. His huge landscape paintings, literally leave me speechless.


Anvil No. 9 by James McLaughlin Way
oil on canvas
84'' x 72"

That's it for now. If I have enough time I may be able to complete the under painting of the second commissioned piece today. We will have to quit early today to make the show, so it may not be completed until tomorrow. In any case it's currently looking as though I may be able to finish it within seven days. My original goal for each of these large paintings. Anyone who is interested in bidding on Pool Bowl No. 5 can link to the auction by clicking here.

Cherry Can No.2

Cherry Can No.2
oil on plywood panel
6'' x 6"

This is an alternate crop of the the Cherry Can I painted for the winter show at Twinhouse. I took a lot of photographs of this subject, and always intended to utilize more of the many images resulting from that shoot. It is very likely, that in the future, there will be a few more paintings similar to this one.

Work on the second full sized commission painting is coming along. It's slow going. If all goes well it should be completed in about five days.

Anyone interested in bidding on the Cherry Can can link to the auction by clicking here.

PB&J

PB&J
oil on plywood panel
6'' x 6"

I love painting this little Smuckers jelly jar, so here it is once again. I think I will probably do it on a large scale one of these days. Really get into the embossing of the name into the glass, and recreate the label on the front. I like this idea a lot.

Anyone interested in bidding on this piece can access the auction by clicking here.

Olive Oil

Olive Oil
oil on plywood panel
6'' x 6"

A little bottle of olive oil for tonights ebay listing. I've been hanging on to this bottle for some time, but never got around painting it until now. I love the thick glass, and its' square shape. I picked up a pair of these at an out of the way restaurant supply store on a trip to Savannah. Ever since I completed the Fritos bag, I've been thinking big. I was wondering how this may look huge. Now I wonder how everything may look huge.

Anyone interested in bidding on this painting can access the auction by clicking here.

Study for Commission: Strawberry Bag

Study for corporate commission: Strawberry Bag
oil on plywood panel
6'' x 6"

When the painting of the TAZO Tea box got nixed, I needed to start thinking of another subject to take its' place. Since Printpack creates generic plastic packaging, I thought I'd do some fruit in one of those simple translucent bags. I found these giant strawberries at COSTCO, and determined that they'd do nicely. As with the first five studies, this is only a portion of the full composition. I haven't officially decided on this composition as yet, but at the moment it ranks up there pretty high. I think it could look pretty cool at 30 x 30.

In addition to this piece I've completed four more six inch squares to be listed on ebay this week. A new painting each night. Tomorrow morning I'll begin my second commissioned piece. I decided to do the bread next rather than the coffee. Get my chops up on painting a clear plastic bag. If I choose the strawberries, that practice should come in handy.

Anyone who may be interested in bidding on this painting can link to the auction page by clicking here. See you tomorrow night.

Corporate Commission No. 1: Fritos

Commissioned Painting No.1: Fritos
oil on gallery wrapped canvas
30'' x 30"

Here is the first of the five commissioned paintings I'm doing for Printpack Inc. here in Atlanta. It's 99% finished, but it's been such a long time since I've placed a post on my blog that I decided to go ahead and put it up now. It won't look that much different when it's finished.

Gallery sales of my work are presently very slow, so based upon the success of my ebay paintings of the "studies", I've decided to return to my roots, and get back to ebay once again. My plan at the moment is to do one commissioned painting, followed by five ebay pieces, and so on. I currently have five drawn out, and two underpaintings completed. I should begin listing the auction paintings in the next few days. Then back to the next commission. I can't decide which one to do next. I'd like to do the more complex pieces first, and save the less complicated paintings until the end. Which is the most complex? The coffee bag I think. It's the one that worries me the most anyway.

Study for Commission: Coffee Bag

Study for Community Coffee
oil on hardboard panel
5.5'' x 5.5"

This is the last of five small studies I'm painting for a corporate commission. I may be doing another study soon though, because I was recently informed that the TAZO Tea painting is not representational of a Printpack product. It had been on display at the headquarters along with numerous other products, so I just assumed it was in the mix somewhere. Never assume. Glad I found out now, and not after the painting was complete.

Today was day two on the full size Fritos piece. It was spent laying in a portion of the labeling. There is a good bit of red in the logo, and I love using red. I think that's why I had such a good time working on this bag of Community Coffee. I'm really gonna get my red "fix" when I start on that one.

Each of these studies is being offered for sale on ebay. Those of you who would like to take part in the auction for this painting, can do so be clicking here. I have to say that it's been a treat working on these small pieces, and then consigning them for auction. It's been about six months since my last ebay auction, and I've really missed it. I plan to spend more time painting for ebay in the very near future. Working them in between these commissioned pieces, and getting paintings ready for Wynne/Falconer for the summer.

Study for Commission: Bread Bag

Study for Bagged Bread
oil on hardboard panel
5.5'' x 5.5"

Here is the fourth of five small studies I'm painting for a corporate commission. I spent the entirety of my painting day yesterday just laying in background and foreground colors. For me it was a lot of acreage. I'll start the first pass on the actual bag today. I'm a real miser when it comes to dispensing colors on my palette, but now there are huge piles of color which is a little disturbing. It feels so indulgent, and expensive. Plus the size of the brushes I'm using seem so clumsy, as opposed to the small brights I'm familiar with.

I know everyone is probably sick of hearing about how "strange" this new world of large painting is for me, but it's where I am right now, and is foremost in my thoughts. Maybe by the completion of the fifth piece it will be old hat, and I can stop whining.

Each of these studies is being offered for sale on ebay. Those of you who would like to take part in the auction for this painting, can do so be clicking here. The last study will be listed tomorrow evening.

Study for Commission: TAZO Tea

Study for Tea Bag
oil on hardboard panel
5.5'' x 5.5"

This is the third of five small studies I'm doing for a corporate commission. I'm actually beginning the first full-size painting today. I was a little worried at first about the larger versions of these paintings, but the studies have been a real benefit to easing my fears. Fritos will be number one. I'm looking forward to diving in.

Each of these studies is being offered for sale on ebay. Those of you who would like to take part in the auction for this painting, can do so be clicking here. The final two will be listed on tuesday and wednesday.

Study for Commission: Hershey

Study for Hershey
oil on hardboard panel
5.5'' x 5.5"

This is the second of five small studies for a corporate commission I'll be starting in the next day or so. The company I'm working for creates plastic packaging for hundreds of products, and I've chosen a few that are familiar. It was a little disappointing when I was informed that they don't do the Hershey wrapping that includes that - wonderful - foil beneath the label. They only do the full plastic wrapped version. It would have been fun to include that foil. Having said that here is a snippet of the full sized painting I've got planned. Karen provided the bite. I'll wait, and put up the rest of the paintings, the first of next week. This is to prevent the auctions from ending on a saturday or sunday. If anyone would like to participate in the ebay auction for this painting, they can do so be clicking here.

Study for Commission: Fritos

Study for Fritos
oil on hardboard panel
5.5'' x 5.5"

I wound up spending all of last week working on photography, and as yet haven't started the actual paintings for the commission. As I selected the images for each of the paintings, I decided to do some studies prior to beginning the actual project. Work out some of the details, colors and techinques for these large paintings. I want to get this right, and felt a few small studies couldn't hurt.

I've also been really missing ebay lately, so I also decided to put each of these studies up for auction. This cropped version of a Fritos bag will be the first. I have four more completed studies at this point. One for each of the subjects I've chosen. Reserving the option of doing more if I feel I need additional practice. These studies are select portions of the full compositions. I don't know how much these small paintings will assist me in the production of the actual paintings, but they have helped me to get my head around this commission. To say that my confidence level has increased as a result of creating these small studies. I should have the second piece up tomorrow evening. Anyone interested in bidding on this painting can do so by clicking here.

Pool Balls No. 6

Pool Balls No.6
oil on gallery wrap canvas
12'' x 12"

Yes, another painting with pool balls. Number six in this particular composition. They remain a popular theme, so I'm happy to continue along this line. I admit it makes for redundant blog posts, but it's the most colorful of my subjects, and I enjoy doing them. This piece, along with the last two paintings, will be shipped to Stricoff when they are dry.

I've been busy with photograpy these last few days. Working on compositions for the commission which, hopefully, will be interesting, and cohesive as a group. I transferred my first drawing to canvas this morning, and was a little unnerved by the size of the subject. These items will be huge. I've never worked this large before, and I believe it will definitely be a learning experience.

I did a mock up of the board room in Photoshop using some of my images so far to get an idea of how the paintings will work together. If I can pull it off, I think it will look pretty cool. It's a big "if". I've never painted a small bag of potato chips 30 inches wide before. I'm excited and nervous at the same time. I'll start on the first painting tomorrow. Wish me luck.

Paper Goblets

Paper Goblets
oil on gallery wrap canvas
16'' x 20"

The painting above was intended to be shown as an "in progress" image, but by the time the completed painting below had had a couple of days in the spotlight, this was completed. It will be headed to Stricoff Fine Art, Ltd. along with the milkshake mixer, and the soon to be completed pool balls. Paper Goblets almost didn't make it. There were a couple of times during the process where it came very close to being wiped off, and replaced by something else, but it was working well enough to keep me with it until it reached a point where I felt it was actually going somewhere. I'm glad I stuck with it, because looking at it now, it comes pretty close to my expectations. I'll put up the new pool balls in a couple of days.

Hamilton Beach No.2

Hamilton Beach No.2
oil on gallery wrap canvas
24'' x 36"

Well, I've finally completed the second "large" milkshake mixer slated for Stricoff Fine Art, Ltd. It's been finished for a little while, just haven't gotten around to taking a photograph of it. I have a couple of new "in progress" pieces I'll put up in a day or so. More Pool Balls and something shiny.

I met with a corporate client yesterday. I don't usually take on commission work, but this is a pretty lucrative project with a prominent business in Atlanta. All the particulars haven't been worked out yet, but it looks like it will happen. The company is PrintPack Inc. Somehow one of the "higher ups" saw my Bread Bag painting, and felt a connection. I suppose it's because their business is plastic packaging. If it all works out, my paintings (five in total) will hang in the board room. A pretty impressive space, I must say. Anyway, it will be interesting to see how this goes. I have to admit I'm a little nervous about it. Hope the quality of my work will be equal to the significance of the space.


the space I'm to fill


the view opposite my wall

These commissioned pieces will be posted here as they are completed. I'll have the in progress images of my current paintings up in a couple of days. Till then . . . .

New Milkshake Mixer in Progress

I had finished everything up for the Twinhouse show, and was excited about getting into this new large Milkshake Mixer for Stricoff when . . . I came down with a second cold. I had about three days into this new painting when I got slammed for the second time this year. I couldn't believe it. I haven't been sick in years, and I even took the precaution of having the flu shot, but to no avail. Haven't had the energy to work at my easel for nearly a week. Just sleep and cough.

I'm on the mend now, and feel I should be painting again possibly as soon as tomorrow. I was strong enough yesterday, and today to work at my computer compiling tax information for 2007. Ugh, tedious, tedious work, but it's nice to have it mostly behind me now. Barring any more unforseen delays, I should have the completed version of the new mixer up late this week.

Twinhouse Winter Show 2008

The show went off pretty well on friday. Attendance was lower than previous shows. I believe the inclement weather kept all but the most adventerous patrons from driving in. Family and friends "have" to show up, so they provided a number of warm bodies that night. Above is my nephew Jason, and his girlfriend Alison checking out my wall.



Here are two patrons admiring Karens' work. Twinhouse is such a beautiful space. It's always exciting to see your work hanging there after having it stacked around the house for weeks prior to a show. The strip of businesses that include the gallery had been bought out by developers, and it looked as though the gallery would be demolished in the upcoming months. Now we've heard that there has been a reprieve, and it will remain in its' current location for the next 18 months to two years.



And last, but not least, a couple of patrons discussing the merits of "Business Opportunity in Monkey Town". Jeff Cohens' work looked great. The show included one of his most beautiful water towers. All in all, it was a good night. I sold two paintings, and Karen sold one. I haven't spoken with Jeff since that night, and so aren't sure if he has had any sales as yet. Now it's on to the other galleries. I've got a good start on my second large Milkshake Mixer destined for Stricoff. I'll put up an in progress image soon. Before I end this post I'd also like to thank Karin Jurick for sending me these images from the show. I took my camera, but didn't take a single shot.

Small Kettle

Small Kettle
oil on gallery wrap canvas
10'' x 10"

Well, we've finally reached the end. This is the final piece for the winter show at Twinhouse. I'm not exactly sure what this "little kettle" is, but that's how I've named it. This may actually be a creamer. I just like the shape, and how its' surface reacts to light. I also felt that my contribution to the show needed one more refltective piece.

All the paintings have been delivered, and are at the gallery being hung. Susan always does a great job of positioning the work, and I'm looking forward to seeing how she presents the paintings this year. It looks as though the weather will not be cooperating. It hasn't rained a drop here in Atlanta for the last nine months, but it will be raining on friday, with a chance of thunderstorms. Hopefully the hardier gallery patrons will brave the elements to attend the show.

Anyone interested in a pre-show purchase of this painting can find contact information to the gallery by clicking here. If you'd like to see all the completed work, for Karen, and myself, you can either click on the "Upcoming 2008 Twinhouse Show" link or click here.

Sliced Bread No. 2

Sliced Bread No. 2
oil on gallery wrap canvas
12'' x 12"

As I said in my last two posts, "heavily weighted toward the subject of bread". Sliced Bread No.2 is the final bread painting, and the last of the paintings that were previously shown at Twinhouse. It is a larger piece than the others in the group, sized at 12 x 12. This is, in my mind, one of my best bread paintings.

If you're interested in a pre-show purchase of this painting you will find contact information to the gallery by clicking here. If you'd like to see all the completed work, for Karen, and myself, you can either click on the "Upcoming 2008 Twinhouse Show" link or click here.

Sliced Bread No. 3

Sliced Bread No. 3
oil on gallery wrap canvas
10'' x 10"

As I said in a previous post, "heavily weighted toward the subject of bread". Like the Tomato on the Edge, this particular painting has been at Twinhouse since the fall. I've included it for the same reasons I listed with the Tomato painting. Hopefully this will be seen by someone who is unfamilar with it, and experience love at first sight.

If you're interested in a pre-show purchase of this painting you will find contact information to the gallery by clicking here. If you'd like to see all the completed work, for Karen, and myself, you can either click on the "Upcoming 2008 Twinhouse Show" link or click here.

Pear Platter

Pear Platter
oil on gallery wrap canvas
10'' x 10"

Here is the second of the two pear paintings for the show at Twinhouse. I'll be putting up a painting a day to get these all in before the 22. If you're interested in a pre-show purchase of this painting you will find contact information to the gallery by clicking here. If you'd like to see all the completed work, for Karen and myself, you can either click on the "Upcoming 2008 Twinhouse Show" link or click here.

PB & J No. 6

pb & j no.6
oil on gallery wrap canvas
10'' x 10"

My portion of the show at Twinhouse this year is heavily weighted toward the subject of bread. I'm hoping that I haven't tipped the scale too far in that direction. It's been a popular theme in the past, and maybe there is still life left in it. No pun intended.

If you're interested in a pre-show purchase of this painting you will find contact information to the gallery by clicking here. If you'd like to see all the completed work, for Karen and myself, you can either click on the "Upcoming 2008 Twinhouse Show" link or click here.

Tea Cup

Tea Cup
oil on gallery wrap canvas
10'' x 10"

Next in the line up for the winter show at Twinhouse is this little cup. I hadn't done a tea cup painting in quite a while, and thought it was time. I have to say it was really fun to paint, and I think it turned out well.

I'm intrigued by white ceramic, and have been trying to master that creamy translucent surface for years. I'm getting there, but haven't got it yet. There are a lot of subtle layers, colors, reflections, and highlights in this material, and it's been a challenge to capture those qualities properly. I'm hopeing one day to fully realize those in a painting, and am looking forward to that learning process.

Those who may be interested in a pre-show purchase of this painting can find contact information to the gallery by clicking here. If you'd like to see all the completed work you can either click on the "Upcoming 2008 Twinhouse Show" link or click here.

Tomato on the Edge

Tomato on the Edge
oil on gallery wrap canvas
10'' x 10"

I'm going to be completly honest with all of you, and confess that this particular painting has been at Twinhouse since the fall. It will be included in the grouping for the winter show, because: 1. It will help flesh out my portion of the gallery and, 2. I really like it. I felt that I nailed the tomato, and I love the composition. It was in fact one of my favorite paintings of last year. I don't always "see" my paintings as others do, and often miss the mark. None the less, I think it's pretty good. No, really good, and am looking forward to seeing it with the other pieces on the wall. I hope you can forgive my pride.

Business Opportunity in Monkey Town
oil on multiple plywood panels

The title of the Twinhouse show is Trifecta, indicating the there will be three artists represented. Karen and I are two of the trio, and Jeff Cohen is the third. He will be showing a number of his "fragments" paintings. He creates these by painting individual plywood panels separately, then mounting those panels to a plywood box. The finished painting is then covered with a beeswax preparation. We spent the evening with Jeff and his wife Leslie (also an artist) a couple of days ago, and saw a number of his completed paintings . . . Jeff's going to have a good show.

I've suggested that he put up all of his completed paintings on a temporary website, so the entire show could be viewed by those who may be interested in making a pre-show purchase. He liked the idea, but he's in a bit of a crunch to finish his paintings, and wasn't sure if he would have the time. If he can swing it, I'll put a link to those paintings in a future post. They're really beautiful.

I've got my small paintings finished for the show, although they are not all on my website just yet. I should have them up in a day or so. Now I will begin working on a new piece intended for Stricoff Fine Art Ltd. Jeff Stricoff was interested in another Milkshake Mixer (yay!), so I'll be working on that for a while. I may post some "in progress" images for it.

Anyone interested in a pre-show purchase of the Tomato painting above can find contact information to the gallery by clicking here. If you'd like to see all the work completed so far you can either click on the "Upcoming 2008 Twinhouse Show" link or click here.

Split Pear

Split Pear
oil on gallery wrap canvas
10'' x 10"

I haven't had much luck selling pears in the recent past, but the fact is that I love painting pears, so here is the first of two pear paintings I've done for the Feb. 22 show at Twinhouse. Actually I stole this image from Karen, who had used it in her painting Symmetry, which she will have at the same show. It will be interesting to see if anyone notices.

Those who may be interested in a pre-show purchase of this painting can find contact information to the gallery by clicking here. If you'd like to see all the work completed so far you can either click on the "Upcoming 2008 Twinhouse Show" link or click here.

Shaker Head

Shaker Head
oil on gallery wrap canvas
10'' x 10"

Moving on to the next piece from the up-coming Twinhouse show Feb. 22. I love this milkshake mixer from Hamilton Beach. The motor housing is especially fun to paint. If things work out, I'll be able to paint it a lot before people get sick of seeing it. This is the second incarnation. The composition is similar to the first, only much smaller, and sans the cup. Anyone interested in a pre-show purchase of this painting can find contact information to the gallery by clicking here.

We picked up the invitations for the show yesterday at the gallery, and they look really good. It's a nice design, and the reproductions of each artists work is spot on. I may scan it, and put it up later, I'm not sure. If you'd like to see all the work completed so far you can either click on the "Upcoming 2008 Twinhouse Show" link or click here.

Pool Balls No. 5

Pool Balls no. 5
oil on gallery wrap canvas
10'' x 10"

With the exception of the Cherry Can, the paintings for the show at Twinhouse will reflect popular themes and sizes from the previous year. I've received quite a few requests for that subject matter, and I aim to please. Once the show is hung I'll be returning to some of the larger pieces I had flirted with at the end of 07.

If you would like to make a pre-show purchase of this painting you can find gallery contact information by clicking here. If you'd like to see all of the paintings completed so far you can do so by clicking here.

Cherry Goblet No. 3

Cherry Goblet no. 3
oil on gallery wrap canvas
10'' x 10"

Here is the next painting headed to the winter show at Twinhouse gallery. The show pieces are now being added to my website as each is completed. The site will also include contact information to the gallery for those who may be interested in making a pre-show purchase. The website also includes a link to Karens catalog of paintings scheduled for the show. If you think you may be interseted in the purchase of this piece you can click here for more information.

I was originally planning on doing six 10 x 10's, but with the added time provided by the altered schedule, it looks like I may have nine or ten small paintings in addition to the larger Cherry Can.

See you in a few days with the next installment.

pb&j no. 5

pb&j no. 5
oil on gallery wrap canvas
10'' x 10"

Thanks to all of you who left the encouraging comments on the Cherry Can painting. I was a little iffy about how it would be received at the Twinhouse show in February, but now am much more confident about that particular piece. Jim (you know who you are) thank you for your observations, and comment as well. I'm looking at my images a bit more closely now before I commit them to canvas.

Above is the first of the 10 x 10's headed to the winter show at Twinhouse. I have three pieces relating to bread. Karen likes my bread, and convinced me to do some more. The date for the show has been pushed back until the 22nd of February, and so I'm going to try, and squeeze in a couple more of these 10 inch squares before the deadline. If I don't make it I'll still have the six, which I think is a respectable number inluding the 24 x 36 for a group show.

I'm sure that a lot of you who frequent this blog are fans of Karin Jurick, and may have seen this painting already, but Karen and I are so proud to have been "immortalized" by her I had to include the painting in this post. The image was taken from our trip to Asheville NC, to take part in the opening night reception of her show at 16 Patton. One amazing thing about this painting is that Karin started it just after we called her to say that we were on our way to her house to meet for lunch with her and Brett. The painting was complete by the time we arrived. She's something else. Karin has a spread in the January issue of American Art Collector magazine on newstands now. She is also painting for a show at the Howard/Manville Gallery in Kirkland Washington. The opening reception is February 9. You can see those works by clicking here.

I haven't updated my website as yet to include the contact information for the gallery, if any visitors are interested in purchasing "pb&j no. 5". I should have that done in the next day or so. If you can't wait you can click on the Twinhouse link, and either call or email Tiffany. She can help you with that. I'll be spacing these new images out, with the final one posted a few days prior to the opening. I'll be back in a few days with the next painting.

Cherry Can Complete

Cherry Can
oil on gallery wrap canvas
24'' x 36"

The can of cherries is finally finished. I don't know if it works or not. It didn't turn out like I'd hoped it would. I may have bitten off more than I can chew on this one. It took much longer to complete than I anticipated, and my cold didn't help speed things up any. Now I'm in a race to produce enough work for Twinhouse to actually call my contribution a "show". Fortunately it's a group show, which takes some of the pressure off.

No more large paintings for the time being though. I've got six 10 x 10's drawn out, and if I kill myself maybe I'll be able to complete them all in time to hang in early February. It's not what I had planned, but the holidays, my illness and the riduculous amount of time I spent on the cherry can has rendered my original ideas moot.

I'll post each of these small pieces as I complete them with links back to the gallery for purchase information. Wish me luck, because I'm going to need it.

My Original Painting A Day

August 1986
ink & marker on bristol board
7'' x 7"

I've been laid up for the last eight days with a terrible cold, and as such haven't been able to put in any time on my Cherry Can painting. This has really put me behind on the work I need to do for the show at Twinhouse in February, but what can you do.

Rather than let my blog languish un-updated I thought I'd post something fun from my past. I recently received an email from someone who used to frequent our type/design shop Pace Typography in the late 80's. In his letter he mentioned how much he had enjoyed my calenders. I hadn't thought about them in a long time, so I got them out, and looked them over for old time sake.

Each month for one year I created a calendar shell, and in each square I'd draw a little picture representing the most significant event of the previous day. Then, I'd color them with markers. Each square was about 3/4 of an inch in size. A lot of these days had no event more significant than working, and maybe watching television that night.

March 1987
ink on bristol board
7'' x 7"

March of 1987 was the last month I did this, and as you can see I never found the time to color that month in. The images are rather cryptic, and I've forgotten what a lot of them are supposed to mean. We did go to a lot of movies in those days. A lot of movies. I was also spending a great deal of time building scale aircraft models. Both of which are heavily represented above.

Anyway, I thought it would be fun to post my first "painting a day" effort. I have a lot of fond memories of Pace Typography. It was a wonderful experience working everyday with my best friend Michel Valin. He and I worked really hard, never made any money, but for nearly eight years I looked forward to going in to work each day. Many of our clients would come to pick up their jobs, and then would just stay and hang out. People didn't want to leave, even occasionally joining us for lunch. A number of those clients have become very close friends.

I'm back at work now on the cherries, so I should have a new progressive image up soon.

Happy New Year - you all!

Seasons Greetings

St. Angus
oil on canvas
18'' x 36"

For the last few years my annual Christmas card has been derived from modifying one of my old "cow" paintings in Photoshop. Basically transforming a pastoral scene into a winter landscape. I thought this year, in addition to creating hard copies to be sent via snail mail to family and friends, I'd also post it here on my blog, as a sort of "e" card to everyone who has taken the time to visit and comment in 2007. Thanks again everybody. I hope you all have a happy holiday season. Oh and, Merry Christmooooooooos!

Cherry Can in Progress

Cherry Can
oil on canvas
24'' x 36"

The prediction in my last post, as to the subject of my next painting, was that it would probably be a percolator. This has turned out not to be the case. I've had this particular composition on my mind for some months now, and decided that it was time to give it a try. Cherries have been a re-occuring theme in my work for years, but this is the first time I've painted a cherry the size of a grapefruit.

This piece could take some time, so I've decided to post a series of "in progress" images. The image above is the end of day one. To do this is a bit like exposing your soft underbelly to the wolves, but I find it interesting when I see these transitional shots on other artists blogs, so I'm trying to suppress my fears, and present my process.

I'm a little fearful of the can, with its extensive series of parallel ridges. It will be a challenge to get "right". If it works I think it will be very cool, if not . . . . ? Hopefully the next post will include an image of the satisfactory completion of the underpainting of that can.

Free At Last! the Mixer is Complete

Hamilton Beach Mixer
oil on canvas
18'' x 24"

Every once in a while I get into a painting that just doesn't want to cooperate. Fortunately it doesn't happen too often, but this has been one of those paintings. I've been working on it so long now that I don't even "see" it anymore. I can't tell if it works or not. Karen says it's really good. I did the overnight test, where I tell myself to wait until the next morning to make a value judgement. When I saw it in the light of a new day, I was "less" negative about it. I still don't know if I got it with this one. Jeff Stricoff at Stricoff Fine Art, Ltd. was excited to have it, so there's a second positive opinion. I believe I'll just have to get away from it for a while, then after a few days see if it starts to grow on me.

I'm still working out the details with Plus One Gallery in London, but I think I can safely say that I'm in! They have three of my small pieces now, which they tell me they love, but "would really like some larger work". Until we figure out the logistics of our relationship I am going to hold out on sending any new paintings, but I'm confident enough to begin work on a larger painting that will be slated for their gallery. The director and I spoke over the phone last week, and I don't think what we have to deal with could break our new association. They haven't put my name on their website as yet, but I have added them to mine. Couldn't wait to do that.

These next few paintings will probably be larger pieces requiring significantly more time to complete than my earlier work. Because of this I may post more "in progress" images to keep the blog current. I haven't decided on the subject of my next painting as yet, but at this point it looks like it will be a "big" percolator.

Addendum: I've been Tagged!

I got tagged last night by an amazing watercolor artist Pablo Villicana Lara. It's my understanding that I am now required to list 5 little known facts about myself, then "tag" five other artists to do the same. Here are my five:

1. I've begun the learning process of playing, then dropping the following musical instruments in the course of my life: 1. The Accordion 2. The Coronet 3. The Piano 4. The Guitar 5. The Banjo 6. The Clarinet

2. I once produced a short lived movie magazine called Cinemondo. It was the brainchild of our friends Burk Sauls and Kathy Bakken. The production team also included my best friend at the time Michel Valin (now my brother in law), and my wife Karen.

3. I've seen Stanley Kubricks 2001: A Space Odyssey over 60 times.

4. Once a year I allow myself one entire family size bag of Cheetos all for me by myself. (These are always eaten when Karen is not at home, and at a single sitting.

5. This may seem blasphemous to admit on an art blog, but I enjoy woodworking more (much, much more) than painting. Now that I paint full-time I do not have time for it, but retain wonderful memories of building furniture. You can see a few of those pieces here.

Those to be tagged? It's very hard to pick just five. Hopefully these have not yet been tagged:

Christopher Stott

Dianne Gall

Bob Martin

Leslie Sealey

Carol Marine