Sound and Vision #1 "Whispering Waters"

HuhZah!!! The very first entry for my new Sound and Vision series has been uploaded!

"Whispering Waters" was inspired by a stay Kelley and I had at a resort in Traverse City by the same name.  If you get a chance, GO THERE! The owners were wonderful and the setting/accommodations were fantastic!

I painted this first and wrote the music afterwards.

I hope you enjoy!

Sound and Vision --a new project!

In addition to being a visual artist, painter, comic book creator, etc., I am also a musician. In fact, I made my living as a professional musician for several years and music has remained a passion of mine ever since. Recently, I have been doing some recording with my youngest son, Ben, in our basement studio  and absolutely loving it!

Then an idea popped into my head. (cue the ominous music)

When I listen to music, I see things in me head. When I look at visual arts, I HEAR things in me head. Why not put together presentations of my new work in video format accompanied with music expressly created for the piece? Not necessarily a "how I painted this" video but more a video exploring the artwork itself. Of course, i can do this the other way round, as well; a presentation of a piece that was inspired by the music!

And, thus, the Sound and Vision project hath been born!

Now I'm all excited and really looking forward to hearing the music that comes from the painting and the painting that is inspired by the music. I hope you enjoy it too! Keep checking this blog for updates and/or follow me on Twitter.

Cheers!

Progress pics - Whispering Waters, Angel

Slowly but surely...

My day off to just paint wasn't quite the intensive, art-focused day I had hoped it'd be. After going to see a movie which my youngest paid for INCLUDING popcorn (how could I say no?), we got home just in time to go shopping with Kelley. Made a great steak dinner and then vegged out until it was time for bed.

I did get some work done, tho.

A little more detail work on "Whispering Waters" and began blocking in "Angel".

Rainy, studio day.

I took the day off work so I could indulge and spend some time in the studio. 

Despite my last post, I haven't been totally non-productive; I've actually been working on things. Right now I have several pieces in the works.  The above shot of my messy studio shows (from l-r) a landscape, a surrealist piece, a portrait, and, on the drawing table, an angel I just began. All of these bits are in various stages of creation and I find I like to work on more than one piece at a time so I can keep the creative juices flowing while I'm waiting for a different piece to dry.

Of course, like all days "dedicated to creating art", I find I'm increasingly distracted by little things that I need to attend to.  I might not be able to focus all my attention 100% on the artwork today, but at least I'll be able to make a little more headway!

BTW, if you actually read this blog, let me know if you think I should post "work in progress" pics or if I should wait until the work is finished before I snap the photo and post here or anywhere else.

Cheers!

Art and Fear

Been hitting some major "artistic blocks" lately. Artistic blocks are different from creative blocks. To me, a creative block is when an artist is at a loss for ideas. An artistic block is when an artist is having trouble working on these ideas.

I have TONS of ideas I want to work on. I'm just having problems doing it. Just can't seem to force myself to go to my studio and slop paint. sigh

So, I picked up a book called "Art & Fear" by David Bayles and Ted Orland. I found this at Barnes & Noble and straight away it seemed to address exactly what I'm going through. Yay! At least, I'm not alone. Although it isn't written as a "self help" book, I'm hoping to gain a better understanding of my situation and to be inspired to accept it and work through it.

By the way, due to this block, I missed the deadline for the show I was hoping to enter.  Oh, well.

Paint first, show second.....or third...or not at all.

Regrouping

Haven't posted in a little while. Been busy with life as well as dealing with some artistic and creative issues.

I am contemplating submitting some pieces for another show but it will really depend on whether or not I can get anything finished by the deadline. I'd prefer to submit a minimum of three pieces rather than just one. Increases the odds, doncha' know!

However, I'm also dealing with issue of painting for something instead of submitting work that I've done that appeals to me and I think may appeal to someone else. I find that painting things with a "show goal" in mind tends to remove me a bit from the free flow of creativity and slaps a vague criteria on the piece. This can lead to "artist's block" and, worse, despair.

So, of the four paintings I'm currently working on, three are possibilities for submission but only if they speak to me first. And I won't know that until I finish them.

Soooo... Paint first! Worry about shows second!

Sold!

Dropped by the Creole Gallery during Lansing's Bluesfest and discovered I sold a piece last night! 

  
My triptych, "The Vagina Dialogues" will have a new owner once the show is over. Ena Busby (the gallery owner) and I are very pleased! This is a fairly controversial and "edgy" show and the sale of the artwork presented helps let the gallery and artists know the community "gets" it.

After the Opening...The Waiting Begins...

It's an odd feeling after the opening of a show.

Before the show you're busy getting things prepared, writing bios and statements, inviting people to the event, and getting psyched for the opening reception.The opening itself is exciting; you meet the other artists, you check out their work, you chat and laugh, you steal glances at patrons viewing your own work and wonder what they're thinking.  It's fun, busy, and a great time!

Then the opening is over.

It kind of feels like the circus has left town. You are, once again, on your own and you begin to wonder.  So what did people think of my work? Was it really  understood? Was it well received? Did anyone really like it? Maybe even enough to --oh my!-- BUY it?!

When I'm in my studio creating, I have no one to please but myself. All I am concerned with are the shapes, colors, rhythms, and seeing the piece evolve into what it will be. I may ask my wife or sons for their opinion, but that just helps me bring the work to life. I revel in the moment and the feel of "slopping paint". A true Zen process, the only thing that matters is what I am doing at that precise moment. Pure joy.

However, once the piece is complete and signed and brought forth into the world, it becomes something entirely different. It's no longer "just mine". Now it belongs to anyone who looks at it and puts their individual "filter" on it. Now their eyes, their thoughts, their opinions shape what it is. And I don't really know what that would be. An art critic may give you one opinion, holding your child up in the harsh light and comparing it to what they have come to know and believe as "art". A friend may, or may not, give an honest opinion.  Fellow artists can fall into either camp!  You just don't know.

So, you wait.  You wait for some sort of response.  Whether it's, "Gee, this is crap." or "Holy shit!  I LOVE this and I'm gonna buy it", or any where in between, you just have to go on with your life. Go on with your art and maybe, someday, someone will respond.

Or maybe not. :-)

In Her Own Words.. Tanya Becks!

Tanya Becks describes her performance piece at Creole Gallery's "The Vagina Show".

In Her Own Words.. Ena Busby!

Ena Busby of The Creole Gallery describes the inspiration for "The Vagina Show".  (Sorry about the hammering!)

It's Showtime, folks!

Opening day of The Creole Gallery's "Vagina Show" is finally here!

I'm very excited and looking forward to meeting the other artists and seeing their work for the first time  and meeting the patrons of the arts.  This is my very first show at the Creole Gallery and, thus far, the experience has been very positive. The opening reception is from noon til five, so I'll have a good opportunity to really get to know everyone involved.

And there should be wine!  However, just in case, I will have a bottle stashed away...

It's going to be a very busy day. I have things going on before and after the show, as well, but, if you're in the area, I hope to see you!

Sending the kids to camp!

The "kids" on the couch waiting to go to "camp"!

Varnishing has been done.  Hanging wire has been installed.  Bios and statements and price lists have been sent. All that was left was to drop off the work.

It's always an odd feeling when the pieces you've slaved over and fussed over finally go off to the gallery.  Like "sending the kids to camp", you've done everything you can do but now it's out of your hands. They're on the bus and you won't see them again until "visiting day".  Weird.

Actually, it was fun dropping them off.  Ben and I took the pieces into The Creole Gallery and met Roxanne, who is co-organizing the show with Ena Busby, and Tanya Becks, another artist who will be doing a performance piece.  They both seem like great people. Very friendly and very easy to talk to. New friends! Always great! Everyone is excited for the show and looking forward to the opening on Sunday. Now all I have to do is wait.

Naw, forget that, I'm gonna paint!

Underpainting and Artist Statements

Less than three days to go before I need to drop off my pieces at the Creole Gallery for "The Vagina Show" and I'm still not done! Honestly, I've been trying everyday to check something off the list but, not being an artist who can make his entire living from his craft, I have that annoying thing I have to go to called "work".

But I'm almost done.

"Political Agenda" has been varnished and is just waiting the hanging hardware. "The Vagina Dialogues" has been put together (three paintings that make one) and will get varnished and wired tomorrow night. The big news, however, is that I have completed my bio and artist's statement and will drop those off with the paintings!  Yay! If you are at all interested, I have merged them together and have incorporated them into my "About Me" section on this blog.

In celebration of being in a new show, I also treated myself and bought a french easel!  I've long had a table top easel for travel but have always wanted to pick up an honest to God french easel.  I ordered mine from Dick Blick Art Supplies and just got it this past weekend. I stole some time, set it up in my studio, and started working on an underpainting for a portrait I'm working on. I love it! It's very adjustable and solidly built.  If anyone wants an inexpensive but good french easel, I heartily recommend the Blick by Jullian easel. You won't be sorry!

That's a Wrap!

Ok, so I've had two pieces accepted for the Creole Gallery's "Vagina Show". Yay! Now all I have to do is drop them off and go on my merry way, right?

Wrong.
There's a lot of schtuff left to be done before, during and after show time.

When showing my work, I usually don't frame it. At best, I feel the frame should be the personal choice of the final owner. At worst, the frame can be a distraction, unless it's an integral part of the piece. At worstest worst, someone might purchase the piece for the frame and through the artwork out! (Don't laugh; I've done this myself!) So, instead of framing, I will paint the edges of the canvas a matching or complimentaery color. Simple, looks good, and doesn't distract. Because I do it this way, I also have to "wire" the canvas so it will hang on the gallery wall.

Lastly, I varnish the piece so it is protected from dirt, dust, and grime. You don't want to varnish until the paint is totally cured and, since all the pieces I submitted for "The Vagina Show" were created for the show, I've had to wait to varnish them.Also, you don't want to varnish until you are all done taking photos because the varnish can glare and cause issues with the photos.

Lastly, I need to write an artist bio and an artist statement. Yikes!  As you can tell from the "About Me" at the side of this blog, I don't usually offer to much information about myself. I don't know of many artists who are real comfortable with writing about themselves.  We all talk about ourselves and art like magpies but put it down on paper?  Ugh! Despite the fact that it's for our art and our art business, we are loath to do it.

But  it's time to buck up and do it!. I want to do everything I can to help the Creole Gallery "Vagina Show" be a rousing success. For ART! For THE CREOLE GALLERY!  For VAGINAS!

Well, Whaddya Know?

Just got notification that two of my submitted pieces have been accepted for inclusion in "The Vagina Show."  VERY cool!

Now all I have to do is sign the buggers, edge them, and let them totally dry so I can varnish and get them to the Creole Gallery on the 7th of September.

Honestly, I was beginning to think that my pieces didn't fit into the paradigm of the show.  Guess I was wrong!

Onward and, well, onward!

So, I still haven't heard anything from the jurors concerning my submissions to "The Vagina Show". I really don't know if any of the  artists have. Hopefully, there won't be any further delays. It's not that I'm overly concerned about getting accepted, it's just that it's an annoyance not knowing. Ben put it this way, "It's like asking a girl on a date and she says she'll get back to you."

That's a good way to put it.

So, rather than dwelling on something I have no control over, I am going to tidy up my studio, take care of some touch-ups and begin a fresh project! Lots of ideas, lots of ideas, and none of them really have anything to do with "The Vagina Show".

(BTW, if you're wondering what in the world is going on with this Vagina Show, it's an artistic response to this )

The Waiting Game

So, as I said before, "The Vagina Show" at the Creole Gallery is the very first juried art show I have ever entered.  You'll have to forgive my ignorance.

In a previous post, I described how I was in a mad rush to get my submissions in by midnight last Friday only to find out I really  had until midnight on Saturday;  a mix up of what is meant by "12:00 am on Saturday". But I got my pieces in and began anxiously waiting to hear if they had been accepted or not. Waiting and waiting and....waiting.

Now the show announcement states that artists of accepted pieces will be notified by August 24th.  To my  way of thinking, that means by August 24th you'll know if ya got a piece in da show. In essence, I would think you'd get an email sometime on August 23rd.

Nope.  Again my ignorance of this process is showing.

The jurors are meeting on the 24th, tonight, to go over the pieces and decide who will or will not be accepted.  Ahhh...mea culpa.

So, I'm waiting.  I'm gonna go to Meijer, get some stuff, come home and make margaritas, and....wait.

Hopefully, I'll know something by tomorrow.  *sigh*

Political Agenda

"Political Agenda" Acrylic on canvas 16 X 20

My third and final submission to the Creole Gallery show. A bit different than the other two pieces which are little more along the lines of figurative expressionism.

Wait, what time is it?!

Ok, so I decided to enter "The Vagina Show" exhibit at The Creole Gallery and submit the maximum number of pieces (3). None of these works pre-existed; they were all created for the show.

The entry rules stated that all entries must be submitted before Saturday, the 18th, at 12am.

I ran a little behind so, straight after work on the 17th, I hit the studio and painted for 6 straight hours! Finally, at a little past 11:00 pm, I finished as much as I could, took my photos and submitted the entries at 11:45 pm with a note that said, "Wow! Talk about getting in just under the wire!"

At about 12:46 am, Saturday morning, I received an email that said, "Actually, you have another day. The deadline is midnight, Saturday, the 18th."

Oops.

Oh, well, I got the pieces submitted and had all of Saturday to myself. Turned out to be a great day for sailing!

My first juried show. Should know something by the 24th. No idea what time. :)

Wish me luck!

The Vagina Dialogues

"The Vagina Dialogues" Arylic on canvas 17" X 33"

Second piece submitted for the Creole Gallery show.

This is what I call a "convertible". It is one piece comprised of three paintings. This set-up is how I intended it, but the panels can be arranged by the owner however they want. I needed to do this up get the three dialogues : woman to woman, woman to man, woman to herself.

Under the gun!

The deadline for the Creole Gallery is tonight at midnight! I have one piece done and two (for, if you count the piece that is 3 connected mini pieces) left to finish. They're about 2/3's of the way there.

Lovely Kell is making it so all I have to do is come home from work and paint. Such a wonderful woman!

Wish I didn't have to go to the regular job today. Much rather finish these up and submit ' em. Must focus, focus, focus tonight!

Mine. Not yours.

"Mine. Not yours." Acrylic on canvas 16" X 20"

First completed piece for submission to the Creole Gallery show.

Getting x-cited!

I have 6 more days to finish up the 3 pieces I plan on submitting to my first juried show! I'm getting excited.

Thus far, the work has been going well. I have been working on the pieces all at the same time. Block in one piece, set it aside as I do the background for another piece, set it aside, work on details for the 3rd piece, set it aside, etc. Almost assembly line, which works cause they all have the same basic theme.

2 pieces are done in an abstract expressionist/fauvist style while the 3rd one is  a little more photo realistic. Can't wait to finish them!

It's nice to be x-cited about art again!

Painting and re painting and re painting...

"Sail and Sun" - acrylic on canvas 16 x 20 2012

I have breen working on this piece for quite a while now. The goal is to depict the serenity, simplicity, and sweet isolation of sailing.

The water, sky, and sun were easy enough to do, however, I had to really hold onto the minimalist feel and not put in too much detail in the boat (the price of actually being a sailor!).

I re-did the sun numerous times trying to get the warmth and, yet, the separation. I think it works!

Projects and Procrastination.

I have quite a few things "on the drawing board", so to speak, yet find myself in a bit of a procrastination mode.

In addition to an impressionistic seascape I'm doing for myself (got a great place in the living room for it!) I also am working on 3 pieces to submit to a juried art show coming up.

And, yet, I've been avoiding the studio.

Laziness? Fear of not capturing my vision? Leery that I might be in over my head? No idea. But, the bottom line is, I've got to start slopping paint!

It's the journey, not the destination. Strive to make mistakes so you can learn. Never fall in love with your work. All platitudes, all true, I know 'em well.

I should have some time to myself tonight. Hoping to get something done!

Khalilah!

A comic book cover I made for my wife as a Christmas gift. Yes, she's a belly dancer, so why not a SUPER POWERED belly dancer!

Of course, now she wants me to do a full blown comic book featuring Khalilah!