A Painting: Initial Phase

These past 2 days I have been putting the first layer of paint on the picture you see above. During this phase I can flirt with being an impressionistic painter, detail is not a concern. What do I want to accomplish with this initial pass? Most important, develop a color scheme (I had in mind "70's prep", do they still make the pink shirts and ties with green whales?), establish the dark and light areas, shadow and light. What's going on in my head right now? The sky is a big question, how do I treat the clouds, will I tone down the color, how am I going to coordinate all the green hues, hmmm? After so many years in the studio, this stage of uncertainty and possibility is what keeps me at the easel. Check back for stage 2.

Supreme Decision?

I try to keep politics out of this blog, but a decision by the Supreme Court (Citizens United v. Federal Elections Commission) last week has caused me to make an exception. This 5-t0-4 ruling, lifts the ban on the amount that corporations can contribute to those running for political office. I am not naive, our politicians' wallets are tight with cash from "special interests", but this opens the floodgates, say goodbye to the grassroots "paypal" candidate. Defenders of the ruling are proclaiming that this is a victory for those wishing to exercise their rights to, Freedom Of Speech, (are you kidding me). The CS Monitor has a reasoned view of what just went down, for a dimmer outlook there is Keith Olbermann. Let those in office know your opinion, email your Congressperson or Senator, they will enjoy hearing from you.

Back In The Saddle...

...well sorta. I didn't get much painting done over the holidays and as usual after a layoff, the urge to paint was pretty high as I got back in the studio last week. This craving; to mix color and slap some paint around presents a problem, before painting can commence at least a day of drawing and preparing the picture plane are required. That wasn't going to cut it, so I got out the watercolors (my medium of choice in the 90's) and after an hour of sketching I was ready to go. Three days later I had a painting. Itch scratched.

Above:"Untitled Study", watercolor on 140lb. Arches Hot Press (my favorite paper)

Year In Review

I enjoy reading end of the year reviews and lists. The authors tidily sum up what's been going on for the last 12 months.The psyche can now move on with a clean slate, resolutions in hand. But '09 is not playing by the rules, the uncertainty and disillusionment that was rampant for 12 months seems to cling to our "new year vibe". The "wait and see" hangover will not subside. Anyway,here's my stats for '09: Sales were off about 22%, (I can live with that, for now). Oddly, the average price per painting sold was up 20%, (this tells me the casual buyer has left the building). Resolutions: Clean brushes everyday, more ipod less talk radio. The year ahead? Stay tuned, right here.

Above: 2 more from the "Business Noir" series, oil on paper, 10x8", 2001

Merry Christmas From...

Above: Bailey, home from college, going old school with the Etch A Sketch ,the I-Pod Touch of its day. Top 10 of all time favorite toys, what's No.1? Big Loo, check it out.

The Word For '09...

...Monetize, as in "How do I monetize it?". This was on the minds of many individuals I encountered in '09. Here's the scenario: You've got a skill or talent that produces a product or service, the dismal job market has you thinking; maybe I can make a living off this music-painting-writing-consulting... I have been doing on the side. The website and blog are up, you have been "tweeting" and "facebooking" this new venture, maybe your YouTube video has gone viral or the song posted on MySpace is drawing attention, now, how do I take these "freebies" and monetize it? Sorry, I can't answer that question, but you have stepped onto the road, see where it takes you.
Discouraged?, read this article in the NYTimes about Carmen Herrera, who sold her first painting at age 89, after 60 years of steady art making, now that's patience and faith.
Above: 2 "cards" from my BUSINESS NOIR series, produced over a 3 month period in 2001, oil on paper, 10x8", (I should do a post about these)

Gift Idea, Jon Gnagy

When I was 9 my parents gave me a, "Jon Gnagy, Learn To Draw Kit" for Christmas. I had not asked for one so it was a surprise. At the time what I knew of the "art world" I had learned from the set of World Book Encyclopedias we had at home. Looking at the box, with the name I could not pronounce, I figured this guy was right up there with Rembrandt and Van Gogh. The kit included the instruction manual you see above, pencils and exotic drawing supplies such as: block charcoal, shading stumps, sandpaper (for sharpening) and a kneaded eraser,what the ****!? Intimidating, you bet, but I loved it. Many hours were spent attempting to master the drawing lessons and materials therein. In hindsight though what I learned was not how to draw necessarily, but something more important, an idea, the idea that being an artist might be a future option, and that those close to me felt the same.
Above: the 2009 version, why don't you get one for somebody here.
Check out this video of Jon drawing a clown on YouTube, awesome!