New Blog Location

Not going to keep blogging at this URL. If you are interested in what I am doing currently, you can find comments about my works and pictures here

Fine and Private Place

Named this painting after one of my favorite books as a kid by Peter S. Beagle.  I hope I provided a similar escape,  a framework for relief and resolution.

As always, my usual application of textile but in a limited manner, like her sister Koi Pond: fabric as punctuation.

Plan on signing tomorrow just after an application of what my wife calls "the mascara," the interference pigments. I wanted to make sure to scribble up something on the blog because, I am also once again wearing my EAI directors hat in pursuit of another #popup space , this time in Georgetown, Washington D.C.

The Art Mafia

I guess I have always known that the "World of Art" is  not unlike a cartel: they don't want you buying your art from the source. Bad for their business. Which leads to an interesting questions, what is their business? After all, paintings,  the most widely acquired form of art,  are truly and completely subjective in terms of valuation.

But there is an Art Mafia (#artmafia) David Zwirner, Hauser & Wirth, Marian Goodman Gallery, Pace, and Gagosian Gallery would be the "Five Families" members.  The keepers of " what's important,"  in fact wouldn't know real value from a turd. Worse, they have all taken huge amounts and sold mediocrity.  Think Wall Street selling Junk Bonds: the complete shoddiness only revealed when they tried to "cash in" on their "investment."

How do I know this is true of the above mentioned art dealers? Simple. I challenge  anyone that has made a purchase from any of the above to try and get more money back for their "painting" then they paid in say there years.

And here is the other rub: why would you own something you didn't like, and if you liked it why would you sell it?

Never buy paintings as an investment unless that investment is in your on joy.

Koi Pond

Paintings that act as a salve for the mind have become my new direction, especially now; the world needs more sources of enduring joy than ever before.

Koi Pond provides an escape to peace and quiet.  A painting that takes the observer to blissful relaxation. This work is more about a mood than a story, with plenty of nuances.

My paintings are becoming more of a framework; after all a painting is entertainment. The best type of diversion needs to be an understandable feeling or emotion that all of us share at its core.

Working on a new painting now, A Fine and Private Place, a title I borrowed from Peter S. Beagle's novel, one of my favorites growing up.

My New Favorite Second Job: Selling Paintings

Since mid-February of this year my organization Emerging Artists Initiative eaiinc.org has had a gallery in EDENS Mosaic District, Fairfax Va.  "The Tenth Muse" PopUp which ran from 3-17 March has now become Gallery 57 with a three month initial lease and the strong possibility of longer.

The benefits to myself and artists Richard McMurry, Matt Riegner and Cheryl Wilson, has been significant. I have sold six paintings altogether, three of which were mine. More paintings in seven weeks then as many years.
This occupation is much more engaging and diverting than my day job. I thoroughly enjoy selling art, especially if it's mine!

The gallery is based on an old model; buy paintings from the artists. We are open Wednesday to Sunday from noon to nine o'clock in the evening. (Monday and Tuesday by appointment) Artists sit the gallery in shifts, so on any given day,  a visitor will see outstanding paintings and have the opportunity to talk with one of the artists.  Couple this with a pedestrian friendly, frequently trafficked shopping district location and selling art becomes feasible.

Lost Horizons

Lost Horizons is my latest deep-dive into surface tension. Like Heaven and Earth this painting involves differing  elevation planes with a twist. Key shapes in the composition have been relieved in perspective. My objective is building a topographical element.

I have always been interested in "urban canyons," this painting will capture that absorption in a new way I hope to include in future works.

Evolving art: the best kind! If you are in the Washington, DC metro area, and want to see artwork that is truly innovative, please come by Gallery57! Chances are better than not, I will be sitting; if not any of the other three artists, Matt Riegner, Richard McMurry or Cheryl Wilson will be able to answer any questions about my work as I can about theirs.

The Heights

Finally finished The Heights March 31st which sold three days later at Gallery57 in Mosaic District.

Quite pleased with the finished product. I made jokes about it being an homage to David Hockney but  that was largely an after thought since the twelve 7cm x 7cm canvases resembled Polaroids from a distance if you squint a lot.

Kidding aside, the overall effect gives an impression of a mult-paned window. The effect is captivating.  I might try this again at some point, but for the time being, I am still interested in elevating the surface tension aspect captured in Heaven and Earth in a new work I think I will call Lost Horizons. 

Thanks to Mosaic and Emerging Artists Initiative, artists (like me) have a venue that brings the public to the artist without hoopla.  Long overdue.