Head of a Man

2012

14x10

oil

Last week I went to a terrific figure painting workshop led by Bob Collins at Post Road Art Center.

After working on a figure study, I started this portrait which I later finished at my studio.

I confess: I love faces, though I don't care a fig about likeness. Solve that one!

This painting is about the lusciousness of oil paint and the dignity of humanity.

I wish the photo had come out a little better. Maybe if you click on it, the texture will show.

Experimentation

With-Draw

2012

30.5 x 44

mixed media on paper

This is the result of an interactive process where I asked people to contribute descriptive words which I then withdrew from a box and drew/painted my response to each word.

It was a very challenging process for me, but I am pleased with the final piece.

If you are curious to see it as it evolved, visit http://stateofplayexhibit.blogspot.com/p/with-draw-interactive-piece-in-process.html

Happy Summer, Everyone!

Beach Day

2011

9x7

oil

Happy Solstice

7:09 p.m. EST

This is the last painting from last month's trip to Maine that I will post.

Reception to this little seascape abstraction has been cool, but I like it, so I'm posting it anyway.

I painted this at night in my room on the last night, hoping the sun would show its shy face the next day.

You know, like paint a bison on a cave wall the night before the big hunt.

Apparently, I am a lousy shaman. The sun did not appear until I reached Massachusetts the next afternoon.

Dangerous Art

Dangerous Art

2010

mixed media on paper

50x36

I am really pleased that this piece, which a did a couple years ago, has been accepted to the 77th Regional Exhibition of Art and Craft at the Fitchburg Art Museum.

I thought I might take a year off from this show, but when they posted that the jurors included Susan Stoops, head curator of the contemporary collection at the Worcester Art Museum and Dana Salvo of the Clark Gallery, Lincoln, Ma, I just had to submit some work.

This painting was built around a building demolition poster from the city of Fitchburg, so I thought it was a perfect fit. I'm glad they did, too.

Opening Reception Sunday June 24th, 1-3 p.m.

Show runs from June 24th-September 5th, 2012

More information at:

http://fitchburgartmuseum.org/

This show is in a museum, so there is an admission fee.

First Thursday of each month admission is free from 4-8 p.m.

Hope to see you there!

Pasture, Maine

Pasture

2012

14x11

oil

I was staying right on the beach.

Open the window and you can fall asleep to the sound of the waves.

So what do I do?

Paint farmland.

I never claimed I make any kind of sense.

Anyway, I'm cruising along Route 9 in Kennebunk(port? I don't know where I was) when suddenly, I look out the window, and I am in Ireland. Except for the fact that the sheep weren't spray painted, as they are there, you could swear you took one heck of a wrong turn and found yourself in County Kerry.

The grass was blooming this crazy orange color, and the whole scene was intoxicating. Too much for my landscape painting skills, really, but I had to give it a stab, anyway.