Recently, I was honored with Associate Membership in the McGuffey Art Center—USA’s oldest cooperative art center. This week, my piece “The Birthing” joins other McGuffey members’ work in the Summer Group Show. If you’re in Charlottesville, come see great art at McGuffey. The show runs through August 12th.
Meanwhile, here’s a peek at an unfinished piece I’m working on today in the Studio…
Ceremony, 36” x 36” Canvas on acrylic.
Just entered these studies into a local gallery show.
A Snarl Is a Sort Of Smile explores the complexity between how the world sees us, and how we see ourselves.
We may feel trapped by and, at the same time, embrace our self-image, family, friends, labels, and culture. We may wonder who we truly are and how we choose to see ourselves.
In these studies for a larger collection, masks and totems imply the possibility of personal transformation. The figures also seem entangled in their environments. Or, are they happily becoming whole beings? This ambiguity invites viewers to consider individual fluidity, cultural diversity, and universal oneness.
*Frondescence: The process of bringing forth a leaf.
What—or whom—are you growing in your exquisite garden? No. Really. Stop and see. It matters.
Astral Scents Rising In The Exquisite Garden
This past week brought many emotions. Rather than write them down, I painted them. Here are a few highlights:
Ways to Freshen Your Life: How about eating fried locusts in Myanmar, or making love at the ice hotel in Jukkasjarvi? Over here, there’s much to do on the new studio, but I’m back painting and already I feel a difference in the work.
Trust, 12” x 12” acrylic on canvas.
This piece is a departure. The brushwork is fluid and textural. The brush and finger work feels visceral. The shapes are vulnerable and true. I love it, and I’m eager for more new experiences in the studio.
How about you? How might you freshen your life? If you’re not up for heli-skiing, maybe you could go nude at home for a day, or invent a secret handshake. Whatever new you do, have fun!
I’m meeting with an interior designer this week to bring my art studio into the gallery. The current studio is too small, and this has better light. Can’t wait!
This is how the gallery looks now. Shall I remove some of the paintings? It may feature the work better. With the art stands Frank made, I can easily show different pieces. What do you think?
Lovely light for looking at art, chatting with friends, and painting, painting, painting! Also, I’m mighty curious about how the new studio will effect the new art I’m making for you. Stay tuned for updates.
This week, I’m exploring different ways to present artwork. Here are a couple of my recent paintings hung in a room designed by Jonathan Adler. What do you think?
As I continue to hone brand-appropriate ways to present my art, I’ll check in and ask for your feedback. I’d love to know what you think!
This is a version of my form-based painting, Aortaville. It combines the form of the figural version with the freedom of abstract expression.
Completed “The Birthing” today in the studio.
Here’s a view into my current process of painting. There are three stages. Sketch, digital palette development, and painting.
The sketch and palette development.
The painting. Aortaville, acrylic on canvas, 24” x 24.”