New Work Update

Teaching my art class and learning new things about different artists has been quite an inspiration for me. It’s especially wonderful to be trying out new materials as I create samples for each class; in particular the week I taught about Henri Toulouse Lautrec. Inspired by his posters, and his penchant for painting on cardboard, we created our own work using a variety of mediums including oil pastels and Chinese water color on brown paper.

The water colors produced a beautiful effect on the brown paper, so I decided to reproduce this idea in a more meaningful piece of art. I’ve been using technical pen, ink, and the Chinese watercolors on a heavier cardboard type paper. Here are my results so far…

“Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun.” — Mary Lou Cook

Positive Creative Energy

Often times art seems to focus on negative aspects of life, or become overly political in what it has to say. Artists are so passionate about an idea of change by means of their work, sometimes shocking or grievously expressing it in order to say something. Even more so, as the world experiences tides of political, social and financial turmoil, things can seem downright depressing. That’s why I want to keep things positive in my artwork.

Positive change through positive ideas.

The theme I’m working on is all about the circle of life; life to death, yet the uplifting aspects of life as people who experience both joy and sorrow. Also carrying this on to the theme of natures renewal, spiritual renewal, and keeping simplicity in life.

Paul Gauguin, What Are We? Where Do We Come From? Where Are We Going?

When I started working on this theme I was reminded of one of my favorite artists Paul Gaugiun, and his painting “What Are We? Where Do We Come From? Where Are We Going?” Beautiful questions to answer, and questions I believe less pondered in this humdrum modern life. That is why I want to expand on it.

Here is one of my recent paintings…

Nova Silbaugh, Remembrance

Here is on of my sketches…

And many more to come…

Newest Sketchbook

I started a new sketchbook with the purpose of showing it online.  Besides, most of my paintings start with a sketch; sometimes a finished sketch, or sometimes a roughly drawn idea. Of course I have more ideas then time can handle.

I made my own cover for this one out of old magazines and some cool pics printed from the net collaged  together. Not too fancy for this one. I just didn’t want the plain art store cover. This was the first time I did this for a book, but maybe I’ll get a little more into it next time I make a cover.

I had to have my name in there of course…

Here are a couple sketches. I adjusted a background hue a bit to make them easier to see.

Many more to see soon…

Work, Work, Blog or Not Blog

The working on art part is easy, getting to blogging about it, not so easy for me. I know I’m not the only who has trouble keeping up with blogging. So, from here out,  I’m going to set a goal of posting at least once a week, even if its just a pic out of my sketchbook, or a painting in the works.

Ice Blue and Snowy White Untitled Original Oil Painting 12x24 mixed media Abstract

One thing I have managed to get done is posting my work on Etsy. Several of my artist friends have been using this site with success. Especially with the economic downturn and galleries not doing to well, it has been a safe haven for both fine artists and craftspeople. You can check out my store HERE.

Progress

My latest: enshoud

I had a bit of a difficult time capturing this one on film. I may have to retake (edit since retaken*) photos later on. I have no camera right now though!

Detail:

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Also working on a new landscape, I’m not going to reveal much though:

I started a new facebook page this week. You can join me HERE.

You can follow me on Twitter as well HERE.