Friday, December 30, 2016

year end review













As 2016 comes to an end I'm looking back over a years worth of picture making.  Lots to appreciate including simply having the opportunity to proceed with what I love doing.  Personal expansion and understanding top the list of gifts from all of this.  Not to sound too selfish or self-centered but I am the one doing it, eh? Learning to be critical of what I do is important I think.  I sometimes don't want to look at "gains" and I don't know why I might prefer to hide such things from myself.  Maybe it detracts from the process?  Alters the process?  I'll take that up with my artist mentor when we meet next!
I had several opportunities to show my work in 2016 and feel confident that those opportunities will expand going forward.  That was a dividend in 2016 I enjoyed.  Not too many thorns to feel remorse or sadness about in this work this past year.
Picture making can be solitary and picture sharing resolves or completes a connection with others. I've come to appreciate that cycle more this past year.  I want to grow that feeling and learn more from it in the coming months.
The work above is representative I think of some new turns I've taken and things I have enjoyed doing.  I think they are successful and show me who I am becoming.
Thank you for following, for participating in my work.

Monday, December 19, 2016

Saturday, December 17, 2016

The palette/the purpose

Lately I have been reflecting on the art I'm doing and have done.  Looking to the future I suppose. I've been working with a mentor, a recognized and respected artist, with the hope that I will become more  directed and perhaps feel some security knowing I have made purposeful choices as I proceed with  my drawing and painting.

One thing is for certain, the work of a painter requires a commitment of time if any real growth is going to occur.  And growth is something I want.  Along with locating my particular voice.

To the extent that art making for me results in the development of personal skill I am happy for that achievement.  But if I can foster a unique expression, one that only I can reveal, I would feel accomplished.  Until proven otherwise I think all persons have a unique voice and vision.  My search is continuing!

Acrylic, charcoal and graphite
on paper/2016

Thursday, December 15, 2016

Friday, December 2, 2016

Struggling to abstraction??


I am challenging myself to find a way to break this down, to break away from perspective and proportion, to alter the objective view in a way which reveals something of myself and my place in the world.  In the process I am attempting to expand (or obliterate?) the details, the minutia, to a point where something essential is revealed.  In a way it's almost like an exercise in philosophical reasoning, I think.  In some ways, for me, reading philosophy is like absorbing the history of man on earth, in a condensed version where ultimate questions dominate and from the complexity a truth could be revealed.  If I'm lucky enough to understand what I've read!!

This work is very slow.  I'm wondering if I do myself a disservice by plodding along?
 

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

red...


or maybe pink? not a great photo. paper wasn't flat.

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Small Works @ Dedee Shattuck Gallery

Here's a link to the Small Works show in which I am participating this month and next.
dedeeshattuckgallery.com/small-works-2016.  Picture of the gallery below and a couple of new pieces.







Thursday, November 3, 2016

Saturday, October 29, 2016

November-December Exhibit/something new, too

I will have two pieces exhibited in the upcoming Sixth Annual Small Works Exhibit at the Dedee Schattuck Gallery in Westport, Massachusetts.  I am quite pleased and proud to be included in this annual event and appreciate being invited and selected.  Dedee Schattuck Gallery is an exceptional venue situated on the Massachusetts south coast.  The gallery space includes a superb display area with vaulted ceiling and large windows overlooking beautiful grounds.

The exhibit runs from November 9, 2016 through December 18, 2016.  An opening reception will be held from 5pm to 7pm on Saturday, November 12, 2016.

The exhibit at Furchgott Sourfiffe Gallery in which I have participated ends this weekend.  Please follow the links below if you have any interest in knowing more about the gallery or the exhibit.

http://vermontartguide.com/content/future-wave-at-furchgott-sourdiffe/
http://artmapburlington.com/content/furchgott-sourdiffe-gallery






Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Saturday, October 15, 2016

Mixed media on paper/20x20 wip

36" x 19"
charcoal/acrylic/ink/pastel on paper
In progress

Friday, October 14, 2016

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Monday, October 3, 2016

From 10/3

Charcoal and acrylic on paper
30" x  22"

Saturday, October 1, 2016

Friday, September 30, 2016

Mixed media

Graphite, charcoal and acrylic on paper
36" x 26"

Detail

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Free Press Arts Preview/Two finished



12" x 12"
Oil on textured board
View of Green River 


14" x 9"
Oil on deep canvas
Looking toward Green River Road


If you follow this link you'll eventually find an image of one of the pieces I am exhibiting at Furchgott Sourdiffe Gallery in Shelburne VT.  Delighted to see that it was used to promote the five person exhibit I am participating in.
http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/entertainment/2016/09/22/fall-arts-preview/90524192/