Salon De Refuses

So, this year I actually got reminded in time to enter the Lawndale Big Show. I was not accepted, though I'm glad I got off my but and entered. I did get into the rejected art show at the M Squared gallery in the Heights. I think that it wasa great idea, and I got to meet several people.

This is the piece I entered:

This is a crayon drawing on 22 x 34 inch paper. While working on the enginehead diptychs I also created several crayon drawings which followed the paintings -- except the engines were not attached to the person's neck. While looking at different chainsaws for the painting I was struck by how much this brand reminded me of a baby bird head. In this painting I'm looking at not only a quick job, but the way in which that activity has affected the environment. No limb for the nest.

Final enginehead Diptych

These are the most recent enginehead pieces. With them I feel that I've completed my exploration of finding "engines" that fit personalities. Although I do intend to continue with the enginehead series I am looking at working more with the figure in the next set.

Finished Steam Engine. I wanted to talk about those people that need pressure in order to work. The pressure of multiple tasks and deadlines perhaps, or the pressure that comes from internal and external influences working against one another. This piece is actually very bright and yellow. Unfortunately, the color did not capture so well.

Finished AC Motor. Here I wanted to talk about weighing decisions constantly -- looking at both sides in order to find the solution.

enginehead evolution

These next two paintings were the first I've done in this new style. I'm happy with the results so far.

Finished Sewing Machine. The sewing engine as it is represents the connecting and brining together of separate objects into a whole. A personality that is precise and collects things into a consistent whole.
Finished Chainsaw. This engine I chose to represent the drive to achieve at all cost and in all speed the task at hand. The easily bored and rather sloppy behavior that can come on as a task begins to drag.

Finished Paintings Finally Posted

These two paintings are from the enginehead series. In this series I am approaching the emotional and intellectual forces that drive human action as an externalized motor. In these paintings I was trying to represent the character of the person through their motor as well.

Finished Boat Motor. The first large painting from the enginehead series. I designed this series to be done as diptychs. The Boat Motor and the Windmill being the first. Although I like both paintings individually, I don't believe they worked out as a diptych. I will most likely re paint these again in the future. The boat motors in this painting represent the self-destructive force of addiction. For though the motors want to be in the water, the water will eventually corrode them.

Finished Windmill. Of the enginehead series I did for school last semester, this was one of the toughest. As a windmill does not have an engine per se, I envisioned a pump for the head. As an antithesis to the Boat Motor's addiction, this painting was focused on the care of other, and transfer of one's own benefit (the wind) to the action of care.

Painting Updates

Here are some updates from Painting ...

I really like how this one is coming out. To me, the water is almost there.

This one I really had to think about. Including designing the pump motor.

Poster for upcoming show

I was asked to do a poster for an upcoming play by Center Stages. It's suppose to be in a Edward Gorey style. Lot's of fun to draw

New Paintings

Here's an in progress picture of the "Boat Motor" or "Addiction" painting for Advanced Painting. It's part one of a diptych (the second painting will be "Windmills"). Each diptych will be two paintings, 36 x 36.

Thoughts?

Work in Progress - Walking line

I've decided to call these kind of pieces "walking line" after hearing Paul Klee's work being described as "... a line taking a walk." I thought that described what I was doing here. I let the line just travel around and when it's done I find the image inside, by luck. So, I never know where these pieces are going to end up. I usually do this on paper while taking notes or sitting in a meeting, and for some reason find the technique difficult to translate into charcoal and paint on board. This was the third line I tried last night, the other two didn't have anything interesting in them. Right now my focus is on figures and animals, so the egg-beaters are left out for now.

some pieces looking for a show

Not the best photos I know, but didn't want to unframe them. These are some paintings from Life Drawing.

New Stuff on Way

Here's a sketch for a new piece I'm working on. I'm going back to some ideas from a few years ago. I think I need to go back and expand a little.

Work in Progress

Two updates on this one (see original here). This picture is making me happy too, but the cell phone pictures are making me very sad.

Work in Progress

This image is very dark. Photographing in the studio with my cell phone isn't really working so well haha. I'm happy with the way the figure is shaping up (see original sketch here). There are a few stories trying to push there way into the piece. I'm going to have to pick one before I can tell you what it is that she's holding.

Work in Progress

The colors on this one make me very happy. In fact, I think when this is done, I'm going to hang it in my house. The charcoal sketch underneath was so solid that the paint washes aren't making a lot of change (which is good, I liked the sketch). However, now I have to be very careful not to create new sharp detail in a style that conflicts with the sketch. Of course, now I'm just worried about messing it up. Haha.

Work in Progress

Ok, this one does not resemble the model, maybe an elderly version haha. Still, I'm liking this piece a lot more since starting the paint (see original sketch here). I've been having good luck with the acrylic washes, and the colors are coming together nice. This is maybe a little over half done.

Life Drawing Pics

Here's some pics I took of the Life Drawing poses as I sketched them a while back. One of our best models!!

Some More Crayon Work

These are the last three drawings from the children's sermon. Enjoy.

Crayon Sketches

The Eyes

The Hands

I was asked to draw some pictures for the children at church for 5 Sundays. Each day I was asked to draw a specific body part during the children's service. Since it was for the kids, and I would be sitting with them, I decided to go with crayons!!! I'm pretty happy with the drawings, especially the eyebrows!

Wednesday Night Life Drawing

This Wednesday, we had Jeremy model. He's playing Howie in the Center's production of "Our Town", so we had him in costume for some of the poses.

Howie delivering the milk.

Howie talking to Mrs. Webb.

This is not Howie, and it's a rather sad disheveled-looking hobo.

Here's a smart upwardly mobile individual, about to leap into the fray.

Anyway, hope you enjoy these drafts, I'll be posting some more as things progress.

Wednesday Night Life Drawing

Here's my sketches from tonight's Life Drawing.

Bohemeo's Sketches

Some sketches from the bands at Bohemeo's last night. It was a great show!