Recent Paintings

I've dove right back into painting again. The last three months I have been able to produce at least 11 works. New found inspiration, and a desire to turn out artwork has led me to interesting avenues within my art. I have begun to appreciate still life subject matter and have enjoyed painting from life, where an artist truly begins to sharpen their skill and see with their own eyes. Not that photography doesn't have a place in the making of good art. Just because an artist uses a camera as an aid does not mean they are not skilled or justified as a real painter. The final image is of concern. Does it carry artistic and creative value? Or is it boring, repetitive, and have the air of copying someone else's ingenuity? I hope my newest work has some of that newness and vitality. 

Copying Famous Artists

 Here is my version of Lady Agnew by John Singer Sargent. To copy a old master or some famous painting from the past is a great way to learn technique and somewhat experience the way in which that artist saw his or her world. Some art instructors see copying as always negative for students. I don't think so! It can be an exercise that enriches one's own artistic abilities and creativity along with helping to better understand art history. Copying and trying to figure out the artist's techniques builds into our own art making experiences. 

  This particular study is quite small around 5"*7", completed in watercolor, much of it done in dry brush. I started the sketch with my iPad using Procreate app. After I drew the image, which was basically scribble technique, I printed it on regular printing paper, not expecting to do much with it. But I decided to begin washes of light color. That turned into a full blown miniature painting, using techniques I would use on an oil painting. I built up layers of color with thick white watercolor paint much like guache. The exercise was very fruitful for me as I experienced in a very small way painting Lady Agnew. Along with reading about this particular work and the story behind it I feel as though I participated in some way with it. 

More Zen Brush Sketching

Quick Sketches of my Surroundings

These quick sketches were drawn on the iPad using Zen Brush and my new Adonit Jot Touch with Pixelpoint stylus. This stylus seems to work well so far and is a good alternative to a real drawing or painting device for the digital artist. It was expensive though. These particular sketches are areas in my classroom. I like the feel of using Zen Brush. I can quickly sketch ideas, places, people or things. It is great for brainstorming ideas and starting a creative flow.

Lots of New Work

  I haven't updated this blog in quite awhile but that doesn't mean I have stopped making art. I've been busy doing so along with beginning a new art teaching position at a different school. It has been a joy to get to know my new students and see all of their talent come forth. We have been working on watercolor portraits, pen and ink designs and so much more. My teaching technique is to work along with them to produce an example which hopefully motivates and gives them ideas for their works.

  The two paintings above were actually completed last school year in the spring. They are digital paintings completed on the iPad using the Inspire app. They represent reoccurring themes in my paintings, beautiful light pouring forth in nature, dramatic skies, and a quiet, stable peace.

Cross Carving

Months have passed since my last post on this blog but that doesn't mean I have not been busy creating art. Much of my time has been working with my students who are now finished with school. It has been a good year working with them and seeing all of the wonderful talent these young people produce. Lots of good kids and of course lots of challenging kids but I love both groups. 

This carving was done from a solid chunk of maple, the grain going every which way making it difficult to cut correctly. It was definitely a piece of perseverance! Near the beginning of the project I almost gave it up. The rough look of the tooling was left which fits the theme of the crucifixion. The crucifixition was real, brutal and took place in human history. To Christians the crucifixition is Christ defeating death and sin. Evil threw its worst at Jesus resulting in a humiliating death only to be absorbed and transformed into salvation for mankind. What a story! 

I wanted the work to have an abstract and symbolic quality so people could see the scene with a fresh eye. The construction was methodical with a plan of approach for each carving session much of it being done at school with my students. It was a pleasure to have my students watch and ask questions as I worked, sparking many good conversations, questions about life and meaning. 

I plan on doing more work such as.

Ipad Jesus Icon

This particular ipad painting painting was inspired by icon painting. I choose an icon image from the internet to use as a guide. I trace the main outlines of the face from this image and then proceeded to paint in the colors in my own fashion. Bold dark lines frame the face and break up the value areas. I used some of Procreate's texture brushes to give the back ground a wood grain quality. The second image was created by using Pic Grunger and some of its texture filters.