Watercolor of OXYGEN

I have done a few more darks on the OXYGEN watercolor.  The line melding the water with the figure reflection has been softened and deepened by deeper blues and grays.  I want the painting to be evocative and mysterious-- rather than bright.

I still have work to do on the bubbles.. and several other areas to tweak.    Those areas will be addressed in days to come.

So far... I like it.. and I like the concept and psychological message.

Perfect statement for this time of year!

Oxygen
watercolor
22" hx 30" w
2012

nocturne

this watercolor.. on unknown paper.. has been slightly a challenge for me. there were many times i felt like giving up.. and actually did.......
but... another day.. and another try and bringing it to conclusion.

at the end.. i used a scrub sponge.. and wiped out many areas to lighten the darks and add more shimmer and sparkle.

i can't say that it's finished.. but i can say.. that it's posted here.. and tomorrow.. perhaps.. will bring on another day's efforts.



Nocturne
watercolor
30" h x 22"w
2009
unfinished

State of the Arts Gallery: Sarasota FLORIDA

These two huge swimmers are packed and ready to ship to STATE OF THE ARTS GALLERY in Sarasota, FLORIDA.

They are testing the waters of the art market there [so to speak...] ....

and I can't wait to hear of the response.

If you are anywhere near the area... and want to see large scale watercolor up close.. please check out this gallery!

State of the Arts Gallery
1525 State Street
Sarasota, FL 34236
http://www.sarasotafineart.com


One to Leave
watercolor
40" h x 60" w
2006
$4800


Memory Lane
watercolor
29" h x 40" w
2008
$3300

Still Holding On-- acrylic

this is the latest version of my acrylic. i don't plan to work on it anymore.... because i'm getting ready to frame.

i like some of it... i like the effort i put into it... and i really like the fact that it taught me something.


Still Holding On
acrylic
40" h x 50" w
2009

Bad Girls

a painting from my GOOD GIRL/BAD GIRL show. it's one of my favorites.. and one that doesn't get seen a lot. i love the perspective.. and i love the attitude of the women.

rock on!


Bad Girls
watercolor
40" h x 60" w
2006

available for purchase

Still Working

I had time today.. to take some big risks in two paintings that were hanging around the studio --

I enjoyed adding depth and richness in ways that were unseen to me before.

i have a dispassionate distance from the work now -- and that enables me to risk the total painting to learn something.. and therefore -- come up with a better statement.

both of these paintings have been on the blog before... you may be familiar with the.

now i feel fairly certain about the direction they're heading in... i feel challenged and enthused by work on them today.

Looking Inside/Looking Outside
acrylic
40" h x 50" w
2008

Still Holding On
acrylic
40" h x 50 " w
2008

The Saga Continues!.... acrylic

so... after returning home.... i had the chance to sneak back in the studio for the afternoon.

there was something refreshing about being back to work... with a new perspective. i had absolutely no hesitation about jumping in and mixing things up.

i took a former painting -- and reworked the background. the painting changed course dramatically.... and now it's time to address the foreground. tomorrow.. i'll have additional hours to bring the foreground out with layers of glaze.


i like days like these... where being frivolous and decisive make good artistic progress.

an artist must always remember to 'allow the process to be the teacher'... and not get too precious with the results.


Still Holding On
acrylic
40" H x 50" W
2008

Seeing Through Surface Tensions- acrylic painting

This smaller acrylic is incorporating a few new techniques-- mostly a softness and matte finish to the face. Also, harder, more graphic approach to other areas. This adds drama and an abstract quality. I'm also trying out Cobalt Teal -- Golden Acrylic paint in the water.

It's not quite done... but I wanted to get something on the blog before i take my trip to Tampa/Naples FL tomorrow. I like finishing a painting up to a point... and then letting it "sit" for a while. It gives it a chance to breathe... and allows me a chance to get perspective on how to finish.

I will be returning to the studio in a couple of weeks. I am flying south to check out a few places for art marketing and inspiration. When I return-- I'll be driving an exhibition to Annapolis MD for a show in December.

http://www.americancontemporarygallery.com/ will be the venue! All are welcome to come. The opening is December 5, 2008 6 - 10 pm. I will be there... and look forward to seeing you.

Please come!


Surface Tension
acrylic
16" H x 20" W
2008

Letting Colors Run- Acrylic Painting

Here it is! the latest painting i've been working on.... a moderate size acrylic of two swimmers in acrylic technique that i normally reserved for landscape.

it's always been a challenge for me... to work the figure in acrylic-- watercolor tends to lend itself naturally to figurative work.

there's something difficult about making an opaque pigment look fleshy and volumetric!

but... i do like this piece-- even though last weekend i had 'ruined it' and gave up.

i came back into the studio with new resolve-- humility... and let the 'painting teach me'.... i subsequently brought it back to completion.

well.. near completion....

i reserve the right to go back into it... after a time.. and make necessary, dispassionate changes.

Letting Colors Run
acrylic
40" H x 50" W
acrylic
2008

email for purchase

~~Mosaic Swim~~

I was interested in trying out a new paper.... the Twinrockers brand... with handmade surface and edges. it's a gorgeous, receptive paper....which allows the paint to swirl and settle into the graininess of paper. i used a more organic pigment... Cereulean, Maganese, Veridite Blue, Opera, Transparent Burnt Orange... which held up magnificently.

i like the paper.. and i will use it again.

Mosaic Swim
watercolor on Twinrockers 300 lb cp
20" H x 20" W
2008