Sun, Jan. 29, 2012

This is another small one (8" x 10"), titled "Inversion of Absolute Power." It has a lot to do with the current political tragicomedy being played out in the US and throughout the world. And it's hard to see, since it is so black. But that's how it's supposed to be. It started out upside down and went through many other changes before it turned into this.

 My interest in creating soundscapes has really taken over; the painting aspect of creativity is taking a backseat to sound creation. In a sense, sound is even more ethereal (has less of a material presence) than painted imagery. You could say that I'm becoming even more abstract than before.

I have a small table set up with two Digitech JamMan stereo loopers and two delay pedals - all of this run into small Crate amplifiers. And no guitars; all that is used to create sound are WAV files that have been stored in the JamMans. Infinite amusement that somehow is very much aligned with who I am and what needs to be happening now. Which is not to say that painting isn't happening - but...

Sat, Jan. 28, 2012

Here is the officially completed painting that appeared on Jan. 11. Not too much has changed except for the small form near the top, on the right. "Tri-Plane(t) 001" I like this one a lot; it was a fast and easy birth.

Remember to click on the image to see a larger version.

Friday, Jan. 27, 2012

Long time, no blog. Still, there has been a lot of painting going on (albeit most of the paintings are quite small). This one is 9" x 12" and it is untitled - and will remain untitled because I do not know what to say about it. It's really odd and indescribable. Towards the bottom, on the left is some gold glitter, used in a linear fashion. And you cannot see it in this photo but there is some black flocking on the diamond shape.

It started out much more concretely, in a completely different manner. This painting is a complete mystery to me; it's as if someone else created it. One of the reasons I haven't posted in such a long time is that I am currently creating soundscapes in the studio. Much more time and energy has gone in that direction over the last few weeks. The sounds are very abstract and abstruse, as you might expect.

Tues, Jan. 11, 2012

OK, at long last, here is the first posting of the new year. This painting is 16" x 20." I'm playing with forms/shapes. Usually I work from small pencil sketches but this was directly outlined onto the surface (no pre-plan).
It is not finished but I think it might be close to where it's ultimately going to end up. But I've been wrong before.

Click on the image to see it larger.

Tues, Dec. 13, 2011

10" x 14" I'm hoping that this one retains its distinct shapes. It seems rather regal and powerful. Again, not even an inkling of a title at this time.
 A bit of gold glitter is suggesting that this be incorporated but, so far, I've resisted the actual implementation!
Also, I want to start adding 3-dimensional items (like acorns or olive pits), painted over, so that there is a bit of depth. But that won't happen on this particular piece. I like its flat visual power and don't want to interrupt  that flow.

Click on image to see it larger.

Tues, Dec. 13, 2011

Here is a new 9" x 12" work. It was completed on Friday or Saturday of last week. I enjoy its simplicity, as well as its distinct solid areas versus the amorphous, washy forms. It is nicely balanced, IMO.
 No title as of today. I'm working on two other small canvases, in preparation for a 2 week holiday hiatus in a much more enjoyable climate!

Remember to click on the image to see more detail.

Thurs, Dec. 1, 2011

OK, look at the previous image (directly below today's post). This is the same painting! Sorry if you liked the previous incarnation but that's how it sometimes goes in the wonderful world of art.

 After returning from FL, I felt differently and could not complete the painting as it was. It became very burnt umber on Tuesday and today it became very burnt orange. There is a psychological and spiritual dimension to this transmogrification - but I won't bore you with that here. Let's just say that I felt a need to get the painting (and my life) under control and this is the result, as of today.

 The powder blue form emerged last and it is definitely related to the amygdala and the hippocampus glands (and how they affect our thoughts and feelings). And I feel A LOT better right now too. Good paintings are the externalization of the internal goings-on of the artist, not mere pretty things that match the carpeting and drapes. It is all too easy to make pretty pictures and not so easy to plumb one's depths and really REVEAL something that's never been expressed in such a manner. I feel good today after a very bad start. This painting works.
 As always, remember to click on the image to see a larger version.