Wrathful Gods

Wrathful Gods

9X12, Oil on Panel

From The Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  This was from a photo taken about 6 years ago I think.

#16 of 50

Out Of The Cradle

Out Of The Cradle

6X12, Oil on Panel

Here is yet another repaint.  The original of this was done back in February of 2006 and wasted a fine piece of linen.  This is of the Mars Opportunity rover looking back upon it's landing site.

#13 of 50

Insanity-Genius

"Insanity-Genius"

25.5X19.5, Oil on Paper

This one was started and largely finished a long time ago but I had some resolved areas.  I finally decided to just let fix it and let it fly.

#11 of 50

The Twain Shall Meet

The Twain Shall Meet

9X12, Oil on Panel

#10 of 50

Beyond

"Beyond"

4X6, Oil on Aluminum Panel

My first outing painting on aluminum!  The photo reference for this was provided by a fellow artist from Finland.  This specific stretch of road, which looks to have been very treacherous on this foggy day is a bit north of Helsinki.

#9 of 50

A Study of Aluminum Panels for Painting, Part 2

In Part 1 of this study, I discussed the rationale for wanting to try aluminum panels and discussed preparations for use.  Here in Part 2, I will discuss the priming and first experience with usage of the aluminum panels.

If you will recall, after cleaning the 3 little panels, I did a test of trying to apply a wash right on the unprimed aluminum.  Not surprisingly, there was little to no adherence so I wiped that panel clean and applied straight lead white paint as a primer of sorts.  The other two panels got my normal acrylic gesso.

Normally, on my wood panels, I use 3 coats of acrylic gesso to get a satisfactorily white surface.  The aluminum panels required 4 minimum.  For some background, I do not sand between coats.  I like the natural brushmarks and do not feel a flat surface is necessary for how I work.

3 panels ready for paint.  Note the upper left one, this is the one which was primed with lead white paint.  It only got one coat and will painted on just like this.

A fellow artist I know from the great white north of Finland had some wonderful photos of some snow and fog which I wanted to paint so I chose one of these small panels just for that purpose.  I gave it a nice wash of pink and then proceeded to paint.  I really did not note any differences in working on this surface versus a wooden panel.  The paint seemed to move similarly, which is what one would expect, both surfaces being relatively smooth compared to canvas or linen even.  All in all, I am quite happy with the result.

Next time...weight concerns.

A Virginia Snowfall

A Virginia Snowfall

12X16, Oil on Panel

From outside the small town of New Market just off of I-81 in Virginia.

#6 of 50

Mistaken Creek

"Mistaken Creek"

6X8, Oil on Panel

This was a little plein air I started near Waco, Texas around New Year's Day.  It was the only "warm" day around that time frame.  This little creek turned out to be the result of a burst water pipe that had been spewing water for who knows how long!  And thus how this piece earned the name, "Mistaken Creek."  The white limestone that formed the creek bed turned out to be tricky. 

#5 of 50

Spires of the North

"Spires of the North"

12X16, Oil on Panel

This is Fredriksborg Slot (or Frederiksborg Castle) in Hillerød, Denmark.  This was one of the highlights of the trip to Denmark.  Not just this castle but the drive up there and town of Hillerød and the general area.  Such a beautiful place.

#4 of 50

Skanderborg, Denmark

Skanderborg, Denmark

6X8, Oil on Panel

Here is another one from Denmark!  This one was also started in plein air in the town of Skanderborg and finished in the studio.  The mosquitoes here were ravenous little devils, way more aggressive than any mosquitoes we have here in Arkansas.

#2 of 50

The Names In The Rock

"The Names In The Rock"

6X6, Oil on Panel

SOLD

This is Frederiks Kirke in Copenhagen.  I had done this piece with the intention of submitting it for the Randy Higbee 6X6 competition but never got around to doing any more in this size.

This piece was actually completed in 2017.

More Not-Goals for 2018

So as I discussed in my 2017 year-in-review post, I thought last year was pretty successful.  It marked a solid turn-around from the slump that occurred in my life after the death of my wife in the summer of 2014.  She was my cheer leader and did a whole lot for me, both in terms of spreading my art with shameless promotion and also with encouragement.  She knew and understood what I was working towards, style-wise.  She followed the work of artists I admired to understand what made me like them.  Even though, she herself never pursued art in any way, she learned a lot about it in order to better understand what drove me and help me to better myself.  That is a rare thing to have.

So while I have not fully recovered, I have had some help in dealing and learning how to keep moving forward.  And I hope to continue this trend into 2018.

One huge goal I managed to accomplish in 2017 was getting my work into a third gallery.  It is a beautiful space in a quaint downtown in a small town in southern Arkansas.  The owner seems to be a wonderful person and I look forward to working with him to provide work of interest to this area.  However, I remain realistic about the prospects here.  Art is not a priority in the town in which this gallery is located.  Because of this, I will set my primary "not-goal" of 2018 to pursue a fourth gallery.  I will put some focus into a gallery in a larger city outside of Arkansas.  However, I will also be willing to find another gallery in-state if it is in a decent sized town or a town with a good art community, Hot Springs would be ideal.

1.   Get into a 4th gallery!  As discussed above, I will be looking for some very specific criteria here.  Either in a city modest sized or larger city out of state or an Arkansas city that should experience some relatively high traffic volume.  There are not many cities in Arkansas which fit this criteria so I should be able eliminate possibilities rather quickly.

2.  Start making my own frames! My online frame supplier of choice has discontinued more and more of my favorite styles of frames.  I really cannot afford to have a local company make my frames.  I bought a very nice used miter saw about 10 years ago and have yet to put it to use.  All I need is a corner pinner and I'm ready to start trying this.  I will target having this going before April.

3.  Make 60 blog posts...yes, I'm going to try for this again. It's totally achievable, especially if I blog more about works in progress or process related things.  No problem, lol.

4.  Complete 50 paintings...yes, I'm going to try to do this again too!

5.  Hang in 3 national shows.  I bested my goal of 2 last year so let's go for an improvement.  I would like for 2 of these to be outside of Arkansas.

6.  Line up a solo show for either end of 2018 or 2019.  Most likely this will be in 2019 because most galleries and arts centers will have already booked 2018.

I think you can see a theme beginning to develop here.  I am aiming for 2018 to be a year to establish footholds as a more regional artist with goals tied to out of state venues.

Tatters

Tatters

12X24, Oil on Panel

Like Simple Prayers Fulfilled

"Like Simple Prayers Fulfilled"

9X12, Oil on Panel

Available

This is from a photo taken several years ago during a Christmas time trip to Maryland.  This is in an area called Morgan Run Environmental Area in Carroll County, Maryland.

#30 of 50

Patient Without Time

"Patient Without Time"

9X12 Oil on Panel

Available

#29 of 50
Obviously, I'm not going to make the goal of 50 this year at this point.  But I'll keep punching and see what I can do.  Maybe next year.

These Anchored Hearts Avowed

These Anchored Hearts Avowed

6X12, Oil on Panel

Available

From near Waco, Texas.  Sometimes I wonder if subconscious influences are genuine or only things I see after the fact and make up to fit a temporary mood.

#27 of 50

Sublime Normality

Sublime Normality

6X8, Oil on Panel

Another started en plein air in the village of Tjaereby Denmark and finished in the studio.

#26 of 50

The Way is Lost Again

The Way is Lost Again

4X8, Oil on Panel

Available

Started in plein air at a small church in the village of Tjaereby Denmark.  I used Golden Opens in the field but then did an almost complete repaint in the studio in oil.

#25 of 50

To Forget That Which Cannot Be Forgiven

To Forget That Which Cannot Be Forgiven

12X16, Oil on Panel

Available

#24 of 50

The Scales of Winter

The Scales of Winter

11X14, Oil on Panel

Available

#22 of 50