D-evolution (Daylilies)

I painted a landscape in 2001 (Daylilies in the garden)...the paint was way too thin and the color wasn't right. To make matters worse, the shapes were predictable and the canvas seemed to be an unworkable dimension (60" x 30"). You can see most of the original painting above left.  Late last spring, I started to rework this -adding and removing shapes and details, eventually I added a figure, Marcy, to the picture you see above.
  I continued to re-work it over the past year, and into this spring- pushing and pulling shapes, and trying to determine how much detail to put in the figure.  Should it be a generic figure, or a portrait?

It still wasn't right-primarily because the angle of the sitter seemed to be "off" in relation to the surrounding space, and the fact that I have been picking at it over the past ten months...


Finally, last night, I covered the painting with black oil paint, scraped away the bottom half, and scribbled some phrases across the top, and added some stenciled text.
Now I have something that I can work with!

"D" is for Daffodil- getting there

"D" is for daffodil acrylic on canvas, 60" x 50"
There is some work to do, but it is getting there.


(for a sense of scale)

RE-member

RE-member acrylic, charcoal, and oil on board and frame

D is for Daffodil - (a very early stage)

D is for Daffodil 60" x 50" acrylic on canvas A small study from two weeks ago.
this is what I have been messing with for a few days.


Jess kept squirming and moving. Partly to avoid the stink bugs and bumble bees, partly because she is 8 months pregnant.


When I started to work on this painting, I wrote down all of the artists I could think of whose last names began with a "D". I have no idea why. I played around with a few "E" names, but I wasn't into it. I looked across the yard to the chicken coop and saw the daffodils, and that was where this painting headed...D is for daffodils.


The scale and design of this small study (from two weeks ago) got me started on this idea.
(actually, that is not quite true. I have been working with/on these daffodil paintings for years and years. I wish that I could keep some fresh for a few months to allow for more development.)
Below is one study from early April 2009.

Daffodil study (2009) 20" x 16" acrylic on canvas

Jess

Jess, 24" x 18" a little study from last night

Time for Spring cleaning or play?

New/Old Sarah, 15" x 12"
mixed media and collage on paper (2010)

Sometimes, you have to play.

Images of the self

As of March 7, 2010


March 6, 2010

Based on a recent discussion I had with a friend, I am working to make my figures heavier, or have more weight. I am not referring to pounds here, but rather substance. This is an acrylic self-portrait study (20" x 24") that I started late last week.

Article on Bau Movement exhibition

Here is a link to an article by Scott Campbell in the March issue of Harrisburg Magazine
The print article has photographs of all of the artists' artwork. The article is titled, York Gallery Promotes Regional Artists.

Winter Skull II

Winter Skull II, acrylic on canvas, 2010
This is a small study that I am working on, maybe combine it with something else later (more skulls, the bunny, who knows?) I have worked with these skulls before. Here is an old one from 2004 (below)


Winter Skulls, 2004 oil on canvas (sorry about the glare)

Bunny room (Cloth Bunny)

Cloth Bunny 42" x 36" acrylic on canvas, January 2010.







There are a few elements in this painting that might be familiar to people who have seen my painting over the last two years. This painting was started three weeks ago (right after Christmas) but the sketches and studies were not coming together. There are a few more elements/ subjects/ objects that I want to add.

But it has to be finished and dry by Friday morning!!!


The bunny room (it is starting to creep me out)

Wrong Thought (Sabine)

Wrong Thought (Sabine) acrylic on canvas

This is painting is inspired by Giambologna's sculpture, the Rape of the Sabine Women, in Florence Italy. Yes, I flipped the photo that I took during a visit two years ago.

Lost Bunny (found)

Lost Bunny (found) charcoal on paper
This is a study for something, not sure what, but something.

Lost Bunny (-ies)

Lost Bunny (-ies) acrylic on canvas 24" x 42", 2009

Thanksgiving is 26 days after Halloween

Smush face (thanks Ryan)


Collapse of empire

Some more Jess from Summer and Fall (2009)

Reclining Jess (2009) oil on canvas 24" x 18"


Thoughtful Jess (2009) oil on canvas 18" x 18"
Both of these were completed during that last days of October (when the weather was still warm enough to work in the barn-studio). It was difficult for me to work on the figure when I was trying to finish work for the Bau Movement show (scheduled to open in January, 2010). Painting and drawing the figure is probably my biggest challenge and favorite subject. There is something about working with a model that is so difficult and so rewarding at the same time.


White Dress oil on canvas (summer 2009) 42" x 36"