An old friend returns

Lately, I have become a bit obsessed with fire and the terror and exaltation it brings to the soul.
This little guy was hiding in my storage and I brought him out to see why I discarded him in the first place.
After really looking at him I saw what was missing, emotion. I started pulling the already dark clouds in with other lighter colours and then the fire.
I think he is ready to put on the wall for my studio sale.

Studio Sale

Well well, as artists must swim forward to survive, I decided to say YES, when  I was asked by my friend Tara Kemp if I would share my space for a two-person Studio sale. I readily agreed as the only studio "sales" I have are when every two years I give away all the small studies I have been messing with, trying to envision a grand painting, or when I have had pre-show events. The last one we had meant putting all of the 5x8 and 6x6 paintings out in the garden, leaning against trees!

 Very successful.

8x5 Oil and wax on linen Collection of Lane Comunity College

"Vase II" 5x5 oil on panel Collection of Lane Community College

"Out to Sea, Eventually" Collection of Global Citizen, Oakland

93x72 oil on linen in the collection Of Lebanon (Oregon) Public Library

I am BAD about selling my smaller work. I end up asking less or just giving it to them if they have that look.

I would rather have my work seen than sitting in a warehouse waiting to be auctioned off to the lowest bidder.

I may have to write a book about "The Studio Sale"

"Accent into Hell from Dante's Nudist Colony"

"Ascension into Hell from Dante's Nudist Resort"

This one, though not TOTALLY done, is close.
30x30 American Easel panel with Laucaux gesso and MGraham oil paints

Frantically Gathering Paintings for a New Show

A few weeks ago I was reminded of a commitment to hang a show at Oregon Wine LAB  here in Eugene. She initially said December but later changed it to January.
But the spark was lit, so I started freaking out. 
Right now I have a show at Anam Cara Cellars in Newberg ending in the last week of December, a small show in Harrisburg at The Galley, about 12 works hanging at Sotheby's in NE Portland, as well as three paintings at Oregon Contemporary Theater, two at The Shedd, 22 at Valley River Inn, and a few at BennetVineyards. Plus there are a few that I have certainly forgotten about I am sure.

It is about the act of painting, not about keeping. I actually give away 30 or so small paintings a year and donate to auctions frequently.
So I have been switching out work this last week and now have enough for three shows!

I will never be a gallery artist. I did not create much art after my father declared when I was given the scholarship to visit Paris for 2 months that "Art is for fags! You're going to work!"
On my return from Ponape Micronesia, where I worked as a student anthropologist through the  U of O I was dissatisfied with my drawing skill so I signed up for a drawing class. It was life-changing.

My first drawing in art class at age 40

Here are a few of the works I plan on showing.

"Small Falls" 12x24 oil on panel

"Field West of Vik, Iceland" 24x36 oil on linen

 This one has been hiding in my storage for 19 years and my studio assistant wanted to know why.

Once I brought it out and put it on the easel I began to like it, so I touched it up a bit.

"Mount Hood" 5x7 inch oil

"Painting Inspired by a Car Door" 30x30 oil and enamel on panel

 This painting was inspired by an accidental photo of my car door. I plan on exploring this direction a bit more.

 This strange little painting came about from visiting a friends ceramics collection and sketching some shapes.

 I invented a way to print etchings directly on to wood. This is one of many. This one is leafed first but used the same process.

"Clover"

"Accent"

 I found a tube of Titanium White that was from the late '60s and had to cut it open to get the paint but the paint was still workable if VERY stiff, hence the syle of this painting.

"Starting Over" 30x30 oil and wax

"Triple Falls"

Mum Series

"Tear Falls"

"The Ways You Move Me" 40x40 oil and wax

"Water Flowing" 30x30 oil and wax

Mum Series

Mum Series

Mum Series

"Nude Beach Riot" 40x40 oil and wax

Mum Series

Finished Paining

This One is Slowly Growing

"Dear Earth creatures, plants, and that other thing, We have enjoyed

 watching, helping, and sometimes hindering your progress for these last 2.5 million years but, there is always a but, we have concluded that you neither have the intellect (evidenced by you choices of leaders) nor the drive to succeed so we will not be making formal contact and will be gone within the year.
We just want to thank you so much for the entertainment.
You are on your own now. Good luck!"
30x60 oil and mixed media on panel.

Then last night I had another.

Developing Painting

"Sometimes You Have to Ask" ,New painting

I have been working hard to break out of my linear methods of painting and dance a bit with color and shape relationships.
This one is 40x40 inches. Using pastel and graphite first then oil paint, then oil and cold wax in layers, I built this one. and cold wax in layers, I built this.

Last Night I decided to change things a bit.