Big Splash-- watercolor

Reworking an older watercolor... bringing to life an older watercolor that intrigued me once again. the splash is the central focus of the piece --- but the abstraction is also a big part of the piece.


Big Splash
watercolor
30"h x 22" w
2009

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

Final Version- Blessed Morning - Watercolor

i took the time today... to finish the details of this watercolor. it progressed in a way.. to balance the image back to the center. the whites are largely gone-- replaced with golden yellows and some Old Holland Yellow Green.

there's a spooky edge to the piece that i like.

i'm going to steal a title from the poem Rhonda sent!

am installing this piece in a small show today... i will let you know of the response to it.



Blessed Morning
watercolor
22" h x 30" w
2009

Hey Babyers- watercolor

Painting from the GOOD GIRL/ BAD GIRL show from 2006. I finally got around to photographing it for my book. I still like it after all these years~!

It has an edge... a surliness to the gals... an irreverence of spirit --

a message that captures the change of roles in today's adult female --

you GO girl!

Hey Babyers
watercolor
30 x 40
2006

Little Diddys

Hey... i'm painting.. small... and i mean SMALL paintings for a show this spring. they're only 4 3/4 " x 4 3/4" square.... frame measures 9" square.

they are being offered at $99 each.... a whole slew of 'em!

this will be a rockin' show.... a mix n match show!


Little Diddy
watercolor
9" x 9"
2009

$99 each

Carlos' Office in City Hall- Coral Gables

My dear friend Carlos -- is Chief Architect for Coral Gables. His office is in City Hall. I went to see him yesterday-- and two of my watercolors are there. It was a thrill -- as it's been a while since I've seen them. We had lunch with another City Planner -- who's also interested in getting a portrait done of his wife.


Untitled Swimmer
watercolor
30" h x 40" w
2000 [?]


Reeds
watercolor
30" h x 22" w
2000 [?]

Still Waters -- watercolor

This painting is really gathering it's own energy and presence. I am almost done with it ... and what started out as TWO watercolors... spontaneously became infinitely better by becoming a DIPTYCH. i was working on both pieces simultaneously -- and had them next to each other on my work easel. suddenly -- the differing perspectives of virtually the same pond... became eerily suggestive.. and captivating. i LIKED it better together.. than separately. that's how they hang.

now.. i have to finish the top leaf -- minor adjustments.. and viola! it's done.

when you stand in front of it.. the size, the perspective, and the way that it's arranged on the wall-- makes you feel dizzy! very cool....


Still Waters
watercolor
45" h x 65" w
diptych
2009 unfinished

Acrylic- Pondscape

I have been working on this painting for the last few weeks... hoping to have it done before going to FL... and seeing the REAL EVERGLADES! but, alas.. I couldn't draw it to conclusion. I do like parts of it.. and I will finish it later. It's a nice composition ... and soon.. it will take on a life of it's own.


Pond
acrylic
25" h x 50" w
2009
unfinished

new swamp watercolor

here's about two day's worth of painting.... i LOVE the swamp! especially in the winter... when it's REAL cold outside my studio. i imagine all the warmth and humidity.. and pungent smells of heat and moisture.

so.. here's to the swamp!

on a side note... i found an old tube of WINSOR NEWTON Indigo [before 2000] and tried it in the background water. it is exactly the right binder that i'm looking for! now.. i have to find a suitable brand to replace W/N.

i wish i could document and visualize the nuances and changes that are frustrating me -- and convince W/N technicians to return to their old formulation!

anyway, here's to watercolor!


Swamp
watercolor
15" h x 60" w
2009 unfinished

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

Two Still in the Works-- acrylic

so.. .i'm still working on these paintings. it's been slow -- as the weather is cold and makes me want to hole up inside and NOT paint!

but... i managed to make a few decisions -- despite my reluctance.

i have loads more work to do ... but i feel that the swimmer one has a real chance to move now. i took some risks by changing the water.. and now i have to bring out the highlights and richness.

the upper swamp painting... needs to be set aside at this point -- so that i can gain a perspective. i'm too attached to what i've already done... and that's never good! i may even totally rework the water... so that it has a different cooler palette. but.. all in good time!

check in again later.. and you'll see progress.

Corkscrew Swamp
acrylic
25" h x 50" w
2008

Looking Inside/Looking Outside
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

Clear As Day- Acrylic

I'm currently in FL-- seeing relatives as well as the Naples art scene. There is no lack of economy here.. and the area seems to be thriving. I talked with galleries -- and they all report good sales and robust inventory. I think the West Coast of Florida is buffering the economic slow down. I was also struck by the amount of foreign travelers in downtown Naples. This will bolster tourism. The galleries were wrapping and shipping many paintings...yay!

I'm not sure that I would want to stay year-round in Naples-- but I would definitely consider an extended stay during winter months. The real estate looks pricey -- so you would have to stay "near by". But I didn't seen any cutting-edge art--- so there's definitely room for new artists and new ideas!

Corkscrew Sanctuary was a highlight of my trip-- and I garnered many images that will work themselves into new paintings. What a beautiful place! There were so many birds, gators, insects, and reptiles. It was the original Florida... which is fading so fast.

I can't wait to get to the Everglades next winter~

Tower Grove Lily
acrylic
48" H x 24" 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

Looking Inside/Looking Outside- acrylic painting

this is the start of a new direction -- laid out by the self portrait of a few days ago. the figures define a strong diagonal composition. i began with a cadmium yellow and orange underpainting.

this has been quite freeing for me -- allowing the paint to develop under it's own power -- without a lot of layering that i've been used to doing.

there's a spontaneity to the final result.... a flatness or matte appearance to the paint -- sort of like a gouache.

tomorrow... i will see how much i approve of my efforts.... that's always the best critic.

Looking Inside/Looking Outside
acrylic
34" H x 44" W
2008