“Slowly, like failing light”

Slowly, like failing light, 2009, mixed media and collage on paper, 12″ x 6″

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“The unimaginable secrets they keep”

The unimaginable secrets they keep, 2009, mixed media on paper, 9.5″ x 12″

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Taking time for other pursuits

Thanks for visiting my blog. I’ve been very busy and haven’t finished new paintings for some time. Fortunately, this painting break has opened space in my life for other creative pursuits that I am enjoying very much.

You can still view my paintings on Flickr by clicking here.

Works in progress

Here are some slower paintings that are taking an intermission while I move and try to set up a new work space. In this first shot, the work in progress is on the right. I’ve been composing abstract canvases by building up many layers of transparent glazes. These new paintings seem to be about accumulation and time passing, both literally and conceptually. I’m trying to keep visible brush strokes to a minimum and I want the entire surface to have an overall smooth, glossy quality. I enjoy seeing the under layers of color show through subsequent layers of paint and alter the tone and depth of the surface. (The painting on the left is Some Other Ocean, completed back in 2008.)

Below is another example from the accumulation abstractions I’m working on. I originally began piling circles on top of one another in mixed media work, and I am now translating this idea into oil paint. Again, this painting is made up of many transparent glazes. It’s difficult to see in this photo, but this painting also has the texture and brushstrokes from an older, sanded down painting showing through to the surface.

And finally, below is an unfinished diptych I’ve been working on. The portrait side is probably complete. Rather than paint the portrait in one sitting as I usually do, I spent several weeks building up thin layers of glazes. The final layer was a transparent glaze of cobalt blue on the face to correct a too orangey skin tone. The unfinished side is made up of several layers of glaze, and I have plans for this that will just have to wait a while to take shape.

Packing up the studio

Tonight I began packing up my current studio. I’ve been in the space for about three years, so I’m feeling a little down about leaving. After the big move is completed, I’ll have space at home for a new studio. But I will miss this space nonetheless. I especially like the inner southeast industrial neighborhood on evenings like tonight when the light is just right, and the streets are vacant and lonely.

Moving a desk in was one of the best additions I made to the space this past year. Because I had a comfy space to sit and spread materials out, I began working with more media, mixing pencils with gouache, marker with oil pastel, and collage on paper.

As I was packing, I realized that I’ve had this particular Mr. Sketch scented marker set for almost twenty years! These markers are great. They still work, never seem to dry out, smell wonderful, and remind me of simpler times and childhood craft projects.

I never use this art tackle box anymore, but it really is perfect for packing up tubes of paint and brushes. Having everything neatly organized in this handy box reminded me of college art class days.

I am sad to leave this great work space behind, but I am also excited to set up a new space and find out if a new studio inspires new ways of painting and working.

Several excuses

I’ve been very neglectful of my blog lately and my lack of posts is starting to bring me down. Especially because the one-year anniversary of the studio box recently passed.

Several facts have made blogging about painting difficult. For one, I’ve been working on much slower paintings over the past three months. I’ve considered posting some in progress, but I don’t think I’m ready to do that yet. Perhaps because they feel more open-ended and I’m not sure where the work is headed. Instead of painting in the direct manner–that is, all-at-once–I’ve been painting in the indirect manner of building many layers over time. I’m working on a portrait, which I think will end up being one side of a diptych. It’s taken several sittings of glazing to get the skin tone right. I recently thought it was finished, but when I went back to my studio the skin was entirely too orange so I applied a very transparent cobalt blue glaze to correct the color. I’m anxious to go back and see how it looks.

I’m also working on several larger abstract compositions. In many ways, these paintings are taking me back to my college days. But a great deal of uncertainty seems to be inherent in them as well. I’m just not sure what I’m doing, where they are headed, or why I am painting this way again.

This past year has been excellent in terms of productivity for me. And I attribute much of that to this blog. All visual artists need some type of forum to share their work. Something, however small, to stay accountable to. Because I wanted to have a year of many paintings, I also actually taught myself to paint in a different way. I painted smaller canvases in one or two sittings, applying creamy paint opaquely. This new way of working was very fun and enjoyable and I think it will always be a part of my toolkit, even as I return to slower paintings.

And finally, life is just getting in the way. I’ve been in the process of moving and considering my studio space. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be packing up my studio, moving everything, and trying to get started in a new space. This could invigorate my work, or throw a hurdle in the process. I have several half-completed pieces that will just have to wait for a few weeks. I anticipate painting, and posts, will continue at a snail’s pace until early summer.

New drawing: “It happened while sailing”

It happened while sailing, 2009, gouache and pencil on paper, 8″ x 8″

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New work: “Very Specific Memories”

Very Specific Memories, 2009, mixed media on paper, 7″ x 7″

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New mixed media diptychs

You are as I imagined you would be, 2008, mixed media on paper, 8″ x 4″

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All that was left unsaid, 2008, mixed media on paper, 8″ x 4″

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Their Children’s Mothers, 2008, mixed media and collage on paper, 8″ x 4″

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Quotes

“I paint self portraits because I am so often alone, because I am the person I know best.”

~ Frida Kahlo