Milkshake Mixer

Milkshake Mixer  |  16 x 20  |  Oil on canvas

I finished all the paintings going to Tree's Place Gallery for my two person show with artist M. Collier. The first batch made it there in one piece, and the last group of paintings should arrive there today. Hopefully, they'll make it there intact as well. Like I said before, I can't truly relax until all the boxes have been opened, and the paintings have made it there undamaged. 

Now it's time to get to work, and show a little love to my other galleries. I was really in the mood for something reflective, so I dug out my old Hamilton Beach milkshake mixer. I've done one large version of this in the past, and a couple of small versions as well. The previous large painting had the metal cup incorporated into the composition, but this time I wanted to show the mixing blades. Fun . . . this one was fun to paint. Next up, another Big Grapes painting. Only bigger this time. Karen said to go bigger, so I'm going large. I've got a 24 x 24 toned, and ready to go. 

Karen's New Website

I've redesigned, and rebuilt Karen's website. It has also been redirected to a new hosting service in advance of the impending loss of MobileMe. If you've bookmarked her website, and the address begins with "web.mac", you'll need to re-bookmark her site using the URL:

http://www.karenhollingsworth.com/

A Post in Lines & Colors

Charley Parker, the author of the art blog Lines & Colors dropped me a line to let me know that he had created a new post about my current batch of paintings, most of which are soon to be shipped to Tree's Place Gallery for a two person show July 14th. I'll be paired up with M. Collier, a terrific artist from northern California, and I think it's going to be a really good show.

Lines and Colors is one, if not the, most comprehensive, and entertaining art blogs out there. It covers nearly all aspects of the art world from paleo art to contemporary drawings and paintings. Here's his own list of the areas he covers on his blog: "Lines and Colors is a blog about drawing, sketching, painting, comics, cartoons, webcomics, illustration, digital art, concept art, gallery art, artist tools and techniques, motion graphics, animation, sci-fi and fantasy illustration, paleo art, storyboards, matte painting, 3d graphics and anything else I find visually interesting. If it has lines and/or colors, it's fair game". 

This is my third post on his blog, and I'm always honored to be included on Charley's site. Thank you Charley, I really appreciate it! If you'd like to read the post click here.

Hereford

Hereford  |  24 x 30  |  Oil on canvas

This will be the final painting headed up to Tree's Place Gallery on Cape Cod for my two person show with M. Collier on July 14th. I decided to venture outside the still life realm here at the end, and throw in one of my cows for this last piece. Every once in a while you've just got to paint a cow. This was one of my favorite shots from August 2010, when Karen and I drove down to Statesboro Georgia to visit Sandbriar Farms. Kyle Knight, the owner, was kind enough to let us roam around his fields, and take all the pictures we wanted. It was a very hot, but fun day.

I have to say it always feels good to finish up a number of paintings for a show, but I can never truly relax until they've been varnished, packed, shipped, and have arrived at the gallery intact. I should send these out early next week - with the exception of Hereford, that'll need to dry a bit longer. Then it's just a matter of waiting for the email that states, "they're here, and undamaged".

Now I've got to get to work on paintings for my other, neglected galleries. They've all been very patient this year, something for which I'm very grateful. 

Website Update

The new index page should look like this.

*A note to those of you who may have had my website bookmarked in your web browser. I've rebuilt, and redirected my website due to the impending expiration of MobileMe coming up in June. If your present bookmark for my website begins with "web.mac . . .", you'll need to re-bookmark the site from the URL http://www.neilhollingsworth.com. Sorry about the inconvenience.

Place Setting No.2

Flatware No.2  |  18 x 18  |  oil on panel

Julie, the director of Tree's Place Gallery, said that version one of this composition had been very well received, and if I were up to it, she thought it would be good to have a similar piece for the July show. So, I revisited the folder where I had stored the images for that photo shoot, and found a nice compliment to Place Setting No.1. I scaled down the size, used a square format, and I actually like it better than the first version. I hope it finds a good home.

A quick reminder to anyone who may be in the San Francisco area in the next few days. I'll have two paintings in the San Francisco Art Fair courtesy of C. K. Contemporary Gallery. This is the contemporary wing of Christopher-Clark Fine Art. If you'd like to go, you can click here for a free one day pass to the event. 

p. s. If anyone reading this post does go, I'd really appreciate a photo of my work on display. Just curious as to how everything looks, since I won't be able to attend. Thanks in advance!

Big Ketchup

Big Ketchup  |  16 x 20  |  oil on panel

I finished up another painting for the July show at Tree's Place today. I still need to do three more to meet my "quota" of twelve, so I'm getting a little anxious. Time to really buckle down.

Reception for EveryThingChanges Show at Robert Lange

Karen and I went up to Charleston this week to attend the opening reception Friday night of Robert Lange Studios show, "Every Thing Changes". Karen had two pieces in the show, and there was no way we were going to miss the event. The reception began at 5, and it wasn't long before the place began to heat up.

Ethan Diehl sitting with Karen in the front gallery

One of the best things about the evening was that many of the artists participating in the show had come to town to attend the reception. The Robert Lange gallery is gorgeous, and one of the many nice aspects of the space is that there are numerous comfy couches to sit on when your feet get tired. Here Karen is taking it easy with artist Ethan Diehl. He does these amazing paintings consisting of tens of thousands of individually painted squares. You have to see them to believe them. 

Megan and Robert Lange, owners and very gracious hosts

Karen and I both commented to each other how nice everyone in Charleston was, and it started with Robert and Megan Lange. They were both so welcoming, and kind. It was like getting together with old friends after a long absence. They, along with Carri Schwab, a sweetheart of a gallery director, had done a great job of preparing the space, and attending to everyone's needs throughout the evening.

Sara and Shane Scribner

Three more artists we met that night were Sara and Shane Scribner (above). Two figurative painters from Oklahoma with no fear of long drives. They drove to Charleston, and Sunday morning were on their way to Miami. Really nice, and extremely talented, for their seemingly young age. They were terrific. Then to continue with the "talented and nice" theme, we also got to meet Adam Hall (below). My favorite painting of the show was one of his landscapes. You can see someone admiring it in the background.

Robert Lange and Adam Hall

Karen and I had a great time in Charleston. Lots of art galleries, historic landmarks, and wonderful restaurants. The weather couldn't have been more perfect, and we got a great preview of the perigee moon that night. Robert, Megan and Carri, thank you for a terrific evening. Can't wait to get back up there and see you all again.

Black Grapes No.2

Black Grapes No.2  |  16 x 20  |  oil on panel

This will be the next painting headed to Tree's Place Gallery for my show in July with M. Collier, and I want to tell you, I had the best time working on it. Blowing the grapes up to this large size really gave me an opportunity to get into some serious detail, especially with the water droplets. I really hated to see this one end. It's funny, I discovered streaming episodes of Columbo on Netflix just as I began this painting, and had them running in the background as I worked. The series ran out about the same time as I finished. I don't think I'll ever look at this painting again without hearing Peter Falk's voice in the back of my mind. 

Panchito  |  40 x 40  | oil on canvas

I am also in the courting phase with another new gallery. It's called Christopher-Clark Fine Art in San Francisco. I'll be sending them two paintings Panchito (above), and Tractor (below). These will be presented at the San Francisco Art Fair May 17th through 20th under Christopher-Clark's banner, CK Contemporary. Here's hoping this becomes a mutually beneficial long term relationship. If you're in the San Francisco area during these dates and would like to attend, click here for a free one day pass to the fair.

Tractor  |  36 x 36  |  oil on canvas

Tall Blocks

Tall Blocks | 6 x 24 | oil on panel

I went a little "blocks" crazy this year for the Tree's Place Show, so this will be the final piece on that theme. I couldn't resist doing one more though. I had this 6 x 24 cut off from modifying an 18 x 24 I used for another painting, and it just screamed for a tall stack of blocks. I did the same thing for last years show, and it proved to be a popular composition, so I figured, why not try it again.

I'm also pleased to announce my representation by a new gallery. Rehs Galleries, Inc., in New York has taken me on. Howard Rehs contacted me, and stated he was looking to expand their roster of contemporary artists, and wondered if I'd be interested in coming on board. I agreed and sent him three paintings, one of which sold within the first twenty four hours! A nice start.

Tarnished

Tarnished | 12 x 12 | oil on panel

M. Collier and I will be sharing the spotlight in a two person show at Tree's Place Gallery this July. I've been a huge fan of M's work for years, and I'm proud to be included in a show with an artist of such skill. "Tarnished" is the sixth piece I've done for the exhibition so far, and I'm hoping to get six more completed before the deadline. That is going to be a challenge. I may need to take Julie's advice, and stock up on Red Bull.

Classic Coke No.3

Classic Coke No.3 | 18 x 18 | oil on panel

I feel like I spent an absurd amount of time on this Coke painting. It seemed I was moving at a snail's pace every step of the way. I don't know what was going on with me. I did have a lot of distractions in the last few weeks to complicate things, such as home maintenance, helping to get our taxes in order, and the early stages of completely redesigning, and rebuilding my website, and Karen's as well.

MobileMe will no longer host websites after June, and Apple has ceased to support iWeb, so I needed a new plan. I chose Freeway Pro as my new application for constructing the sites. I'm in the process of "learning" the program now, and my poor little brain has been really struggling. Fortunately, I made a couple of breakthrough's this weekend, and I think now I'm familiar enough with the program to start building. I'm hoping the new sites will be leaner, and easier to navigate.

Cory Electric No.2

Cory Electric II | 18 x 18 | oil on panel

I finally finished up the second version of my Corey Electric Percolator. This is one of the coolest kitchen appliances I've ever seen, and I was hungry to paint it again. The ribbed handle is a challenge, but I really love base.

Now I'm bouncing back an forth between two ideas. I came across an old composition I did a long time ago. It's from the Antique Shop series, and it's really calling my name. A vertical 30 x 40, so kind of big, and complicated. The second is another version of the Return for Deposit series of Coca Cola compositions. I'll eventually do both, but I'm leaning towards the Antique Shop first.

Stacked

Stacked | 12 x 24 | oil on panel

I've been out of commission for over a week with a cold, hence the delay in the post of a new painting. The percolator idea was put on hold temporarily. I've wanted to do this particular "blocks" painting for a while, and it felt this was the time to do it. This size of panel also gave me a chance to blow the dust off of my woodworking tools. I don't know of anyone making a 12 x 24 panel, so I have to cut down a 18 x 24, and splice in the missing cradle strip. Not really woodworking, but close.

I've got the drawing ready for the percolator, and will start on it today. It's the Cory Electric with that crazy complicated ribbed handle. It looks really cool, but it's a bear to paint.

Heavy Duty

Heavy Duty | 18 x 18 | oil on panel

I went with my gut, and decided to go ahead, and paint the big drill. It may turn out to be a flop, but I had a blast working on it. Most fun I've had on a painting in while. Big knobbly, heavy duty, mechanically, steel tools are just so cool. I need to keep my eye out for more like this. Now on to what ever comes next. I think, maybe it's time for a percolator.

Bowl O Blocks

Bowl O Blocks | 16 x 16 | oil on panel

I've been putting things in bowls for sometime now, but the objects have all been round and shiny, so I thought I'd try something new and use wooden blocks for a change. I think they worked.

Now my problem is determining what to paint next. I've got a composition that I've been saving for a while now, but I'm not sure how it would be received. It's an image of this really beefy electric drill I borrowed from my buddy Jeff Cohen. It's very cool looking, but there's not much color in the image, and I fear it may have limited appeal to collectors. I think I may just do it anyway.

3 Alarm

3 Alarm | 24 x 36 | oil on canvas

I was very generous to myself over the holidays, and I gave me permission to paint nothing until the first of the year. I really needed to recharge my batteries, and "tried" not to even think about art for a couple of weeks. It was great just to spend time with family, eat decadent food, go to the movies, read, etc. Now it's time to get back to work.

I found this toy Fire Engine on ebay, and paired it up with an old Zippo cigarette lighter I've had for years for my first painting of 2012. Onward to number two . . .

Happy Holidays 2011

I just wanted to say Happy Holidays to everyone, and thank you all for visiting my blog and FaceBook page, and for leaving such wonderful comments throughout the year. I hope everyone has a great holiday season, and a terrific 2012.

See you all again next year!

View-Master

View-Master | 18 x 18 | oil on canvas

I've really been out of the loop for quite a while now. With the Thanksgiving holiday, and family in from out of town, my attention was diverted from my career. Which was a good thing, because Karen and I really needed to get out of the "work all of the time mode", and chill a little bit.

My brother Doug was here from New York, and he convinced us to get a Christmas tree this year. We don't have much space in our house, so we usually just decorate the mantle of our fireplace, but with some creative rearrangement of our furniture it worked perfectly. We had a great time decorating the tree, and it looks great. Thanks bro!

With the first round of holidays over, I've been working on some new stuff, the first of which is this GAF View-Master. These devices used to blow my mind when I was a kid, and I thought it would be fun to paint one. Now I'm deciding on the dimensions of my next piece. I'm thinking of going overscale with it, but haven't made up my mind just yet. I think it could look really cool big. I hoping to make a decision today.

I've had some good sales in the last few weeks. I shipped two paintings to Tree's Place Gallery which were marked for the Boston International Fine Art Show. One sold as it was being unpacked at the gallery, and the second sold at the show. Mason Murer Fine Art sold two of my large paintings. Mule No.2 sold a couple of weeks ago, and they sold my B-25 at the Miami Red Dot Art Fair over the weekend. Karen should have a nice Christmas this year.

Speaking of gifts, I'm thinking of asking Karen for a new ball head for my tripod for Christmas. If there are any photographers out their with a favorite model or brand, I'd appreciate your suggestions/testimonials.

Finger Joints

Finger Joints | 6 x 6 | oil on panel

The final painting of the week is a mug, and wooden box. The box contains a small microscope given to me by my brother. I love the finger joints, and the little latch which holds the door. If you'd like to bid on this painting you can take part in the auction by clicking here.

Seltzer Bottle

Seltzer Bottle | 6 x 6 | oil on panel

One of my new acquisitions from ebay. A seltzer bottle made of an exquisite amber colored glass. It's really cool. If you'd like to participate in the bidding, you can access the auction by clicking here.