Avocado Painting

I am starting a new series of still life paintings. This one is oil on panel, measures 12*12.

Won 2nd Place!

I entered this painting along with a sculpture in the annual "Artists who Teach" show put on here in San Antonio by the San Antonio Artist Educator's Association. They did a great job with the show and entries, lots of good quality artwork. This painting won second place. I appreciate the award and the judge's comments about my work. 

Doing Some Bushcrafting Mixed with a Little Bit of Fine Art

I've been interested lately in wood sculpture of a different sort. On my many hikes I come across dead trees, lots of them. Why not harvest some of the wood for art? I admire "bushcrafters" for their amazing skill and use of natural materials. They are able to create objects such as spoons, bowls, kuskas (cups), and many other interesting items from wood and other materials. They use these in the field and camp. 

I made many of the pictured objects starting with my medium sized hatchet and then used a small Gransfors Bruks carving hatchet to bring the sculpture down to a workable shape, a shape that somewhat resembles a spoon, cup or whatever. The rest is completed using carving knives and gouges. I prefer to leave the "chiseled" look rather than sanding, although a few are sanded. I finish off the pieces with raw linseed and beeswax. That enhances and darkens the grain but does not really create a high polish. I'm still into the whole bushcraft art thing and will continue to make more interesting objects from claimed wood that I find. I think as I progress in the project the work will turn more into "fine art" sculpture. It seems to be a nice combination at the moment. Enjoy the pics. Most of the wood is mesquite and cedar. Other wood used is olive and cherry. 

Ustina Finds Redemption

 

This painting was inspired by the novel, "Laurus", by Eugene Vodolazkin. What an amazing book. I couldn't put it down as I was drawn into medieval Russian world. The author created a fabulous work of art. The painting is my interpretation of the character, "Ustina", a tragic figure for who the main character seeks a journey for her redemption. The novel is thoroughly religious and speaks to the religious mindset and worldview and makes no apology for it. It is very understandable for those who retain and know Christian spirituality, particularly Orthodox spirituality. I wanted to portray the character in a spiritual and iconographic fashion with a mix of my own style and modernism. I figured it would be fun to work mainly in cool blues for the face and oranges, reds, and brown for the contrasting background.