Soliloquy

Solar Discharge

2008-08-12T12:30:00.000-07:00

I'm back to working with natural dyes and pigments, inspired by India Flint's new book, Eco Colour. I highly recommend this book, but it's only available in Australia, so you'll have to order it from there.

Look at this solar discharge piece in process. I tied up a piece of dyed cotton canvas into a spiral bundle, and I'm letting the sun fade one side of it. Here's the unfaded side, or the "before" picture, so to speak:

And here's the faded side, or the "after" picture:

It's been sitting in the sun for about a month now, and I think it should be ready to open in another week or so. Stay tuned!

Fantazzle

2008-07-11T08:48:00.000-07:00

I decided to start a new blog for all of my non-art-related posts, and I'll continue to post everything art-related here. Check out the new blog, called Fantazzle!

Agapanthus

2008-07-08T13:03:00.000-07:00

It's agapanthus time in my backyard again. They look so dramatic against the gray foggy sky that we've been having lately.

Experimental Work

2008-06-28T18:39:00.000-07:00

These are some new experimental paintings that I did yesterday, acrylic latex on canvas. Click on image for larger view. This first one is 18" x 24":

48" x 12":

16" x 12":

12" x 16":

Moody Landscape

2008-06-07T19:07:00.000-07:00

This is a poured landscape painting that I did the other day, 24" x 30", acrylic latex on canvas. What do you think?

Ralph Nader Movie

2008-05-16T09:30:00.000-07:00

I don't recommend movies very often, but I feel strongly about this one. You must see "Ralph Nader: An Unreasonable Man." It's not a pro- or anti-Nader film. It's more about our two-party political system, and there were a lot of things I didn't know. It's available on Netflix as instant play or by mail.

These five YouTube videos discussing the role of third parties are also very informative.

Alyson Stanfield

2008-05-13T13:01:00.000-07:00

Alyson Stanfield came to the Translations Gallery opening last week, and included a picture of us together is her weekly newsletter.

If you're not familiar with Alyson, she's an art coach, and has recently written and published a book about art marketing titled I'd Rather Be in the Studio. She offers workshops and online classes, and is also available for individual consultations.

More on Translations Gallery Opening

2008-05-13T09:53:00.000-07:00

Here's one more picture of the Translations Gallery opening that I . . . ahem . . . borrowed from Christina's blog. OK, I stole it. Sorry, Christina. Your pictures look better than mine! This is me and Christina Yocca in the gallery in front of our work, before the opening.

To see more pictures of the opening from Christina's point of view, check out her blog.

Absolute Arts Article

2008-05-12T12:03:00.000-07:00

There's an article about my Translations Gallery show on the Absolute Arts website today, and also in their newsletter. It features my painting titled Shazaam:

Shazaam is 24" x 30", acrylic latex on canvas.

Translations Gallery Show

2008-05-11T16:02:00.000-07:00

I just got back from Denver and the opening reception of my "Ordinary Alchemy" show with Christina Yocca at Translations Gallery. Here are some pictures of my work in the show and the reception:

I'd never been to Denver before, and it was lovely. It snowed the week before, but we got lucky, and the weather was perfect. We had a drum circle playing live music outside, and the catered food was fabulous.

Many thanks to Judy Hagler and Kate Merkel of Translations Gallery for all their hard work in putting this show together. Everything looked beautiful, and I had a great time meeting everyone at the reception.

One More Black and White

2008-05-07T10:18:00.000-07:00

Here's one more black and white painting that's finally dry enough to photograph. It's 24" x 30", acrylic latex on canvas.

Black and White

2008-05-05T13:04:00.000-07:00

I've been doing some experimental paintings in black and white, acrylic latex on canvas. What do you think?

The sizes in order are 24" x 24", 24" x 24", 18" x 24", and the last three are 16" x 12".

Another New Landscape

2008-05-03T21:08:00.000-07:00

This is another new abstract landscape, 24" x 30", acrylic latex on canvas.

New Landscape Paintings

2008-04-23T11:06:00.000-07:00

These are some new paintings from my landscape series. The top two are 24" x 30", and the bottom piece is 12" x 16". All acrylic latex on canvas.

Ordinary Alchemy Show

2008-04-14T20:18:00.000-07:00

Click on image to enlarge.

I got the invitations today for my show at Translations Gallery, and they look good! If you're in the Denver area, drop by the reception on May 9th, 5-8pm. I'll be there, along with my paintings.

Oxalis

2008-04-12T10:12:00.000-07:00

Oxalis in my backyard. I thought the holes that insects chewed made an interesting pattern in the flower.

Experimental Work

2008-03-25T13:26:00.000-07:00

I'm finally back in the studio, and doing experimental studies for larger pieces. I thought these three were particularly nice. They're 12" x 16" and 16" x 12", depending on orientation.

New Sculptures

2008-02-24T14:57:00.000-08:00

I've been working on some new little sculptures made from the rocks and bits of shells I found at the beach.

Birthday at the Beach

2008-02-15T21:33:00.000-08:00

It's my birthday, and I spent the day at the beach in Malibu. Here are a couple of videos I took to share with you. It was a beautiful day, but a little windy, which is the background noise you'll hear.

Daily Video Blog

2008-02-09T18:17:00.000-08:00

An artist friend has created a daily video diary, and it's fascinating. I'm hooked on it! Everyday she videotapes herself talking about something that's on her mind for about two or three minutes, and then a conversation ensues in the comments. She chooses interesting topics, and I enjoy hearing her talk and connecting with her on a daily basis. This is such a great idea! Check it out for yourself.

Spring

2008-02-06T13:27:00.000-08:00

It's starting to look like spring in the hills. Everything is turning green and growing like crazy. Fortunately we've had rain this year, unlike last year, when there were no wildflowers at all.

Can't See the Forest for the Trees

2008-02-05T16:58:00.000-08:00

This new painting is interesting. It's latex on canvas, 16" x 12".

More Rain

2008-02-03T09:32:00.000-08:00

It's raining here again, even though it never rains in California, and this was supposed to be a very dry year. I love the patterns the rain drops make on the windows. This is the view from my kitchen.

Is Painting Dead?

2008-01-30T08:20:00.000-08:00

I was listening to the most recent Pharmakast last night. One of the participants -- I think it was Vonn Sumner -- said that painting is dead, but it doesn't really matter, because painting is alive for him. Most people couldn't care less about art. They don't go to galleries, they don't go to museums, and they wouldn't pay $20 for a painting on eBay. Painting isn't relevant to most people's lives. And yet painting is relevant to me. Painting is what gets me up in the morning, and I can't imagine a life without it. Does it matter that it's not relevant to 99.9% of the population? Perhaps only when it comes to sales! It would be nice to have a larger audience for art, and not to have to store so much of it.

Another Landscape

2008-01-13T18:11:00.000-08:00

Here's a new painting -- another one that has a landscape look to it. 36" x 36", latex on canvas.