This Little Piggy Went To Market

This will probably be the last painting to be included in my December exhibition at Tew Galleries, finished last week, it was the culmination of a process that started over a year ago. 365 days, that's about what it takes for me to create a new body of work for a show. Kind of daunting when you look at it that way, which is why I don't, to me its just a chunk out of a long line, a line that will continue next week when I start my next painting.

I brought 10 paintings to the gallery yesterday, they needed to go to the framer, who happened to be there at the time. I watched as they discussed moulding choices (an artist really shouldn't witness this process). I had to step back and let the march to the market begin, my job was done.

Above: The Piglet oil panel 16x14 2010
Below: Tim, Corky and Rannel (center) a framing wizard.
I mentioned in an earlier post about filming a promotional video for my show, watch a short intro here, more next time.

The Sky Is Falling And Other Madness

I put this painting into my "pictorial pun-puzzle" category, (a companion piece to my blog header above, it would be fun to do a set of these, hmm..). It started as just a man holding a sign with a cloud backdrop, but during the drawing phase I just kept adding things. First a chicken, then a briefcase with mini clouds, the costume is old-timey how bout a wood sidewalk, it needs an ocean for more depth, put it in. I had an Abe Lincoln beard on my man but painted it out, thought it was too much. What does it mean?...a comment on climate change?...a response to all the election hysteria this past month?..take your pick, I just enjoyed painting it.


If you are curious about what the art biz is really like, check out Jim Kempner's (NYC art dealer, above) web series, "The Madness Of Art". Even though its lighthearted, clever and funny, each short episode holds more truth than most of us would like to admit.

Above: The Sky Is Falling 16x14 (22x20 fr) oil on panel, 2010

Halloween

As a kid, "The Outer Limits", was my choice for quality sci-fi on TV. The beginning of every show had this famous intro, (really messed with my 8 year old head). YouTube has all the mind-blowing episodes, start here, watch one and you'll be hooked.

Above: A selection from my "Outer Limits" bubblegum card collection.

The Wonder

I started this blog with the purpose of examining what I do as an artist, to take a step back and explain in words, (to those who might be interested), what goes into making my pictures. For a brief moment I place myself in the audience and ask "what just happened". This past week my Atlanta dealer was interviewing me, I was trying to give thoughtful insights into what was up there on the wall, after an hour I sighed and said "You are asking me to explain a narrative that started almost 40 years ago, a painting is just one sentence in a novel". This kind of response is a cop-out, I know, but most of what I do is second nature, I really don't think about it much, one step has led to the next and the path gets blurred by the "now". There are times though when I am caught off guard, I will look around my surroundings as if waking up from a dream and wonder, "How in the heck did I get here?".

Above: Tulip (The Wonder) 28x25 oil canvas 2010

Boiled Peanuts

I spent the last week filming a video that will be used to promote my next show and I am tired of talking about "art", so... how bout peanuts.

Fresh dug peanuts (only use "green peanuts" for boiling) have a short shelf life, 3-4 days tops. This fact, kept this delicacy confined to the Southern peanut growing states until refrigeration was invented. By then no one else was interested so the soggy, salty legume, stayed home. The Fall is prime peanut season and I have boiled up about 10 lbs of 'em over the last month, (a batch lasts 2 days in our house). In 2006, the Governor of South Carolina declared, by law, that "boiled peanuts" were the State's official snack food, you should try some today. Here's my recipe: 2 lbs. green peanuts washed, 4 tablespoons salt (might need more, taste when almost done), put in pot, add water to cover the peanuts by 2 inches, boil the heck out of them for about 2 hours, taste, keep cooking if needed, when done (you'll know) let sit in brine for several hours. If you are adventurous, add some garlic cloves, fresh jalapenos or red pepper to the pot at the start. Next, grab a beer or sweet tea, and dig in.

Last Sunday we drove out to the State Farmers Market (needed more peanuts and some pansies), happened upon this vendor's mum display, wow, delicious color...now how can I work this into a painting?

Is This What I Had In Mind?

Not exactly. As I composed this painting in my sketchbook I could visualize exactly how I wanted it to look. This is not unusual, most times before I apply paint I have a color scheme mapped out in my head. This road quickly starts being modified as I progress. So far, this painting has been puzzling, that yellow is being difficult, it's not the easiest hue to coordinate (uhh, make look pretty).

After a week it's starting to come together, the sky (the anchor for most of my pictures) has about 4 layers, and with a little tweaking should be fine. The key is the tulip, I got something in mind for that, I am curious to see if I it holds up. I have set up a challenging premise (for me) with this painting, if I can pull it off, could be nice.

Above: Tulip (The Wonder) oil canvas 28x25. I am psyched to paint that couple in the foreground.

Fall And Orange

"Don't use orange in your paintings, it's a hard color to decorate with.", I have heard this phrase many times by those in the know, here in Atlanta. Lucky me, it's not my favorite color anyway, but occasionally I get a craving (usually in the Fall) and I reach for that ancient tube of Cadmium Orange. "What about that sage advice?" you ask, well...every painting of mine that has contained the offensive hue has sold.

Is it me, or does this guy have a strange resemblance to Springsteen, circa 1987? Bruce as a pumpkin rustler.

Top: Pumpkin Lake, 18x20 oil on panel 2010