Harbor SOLD

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Size: 30x48x1.5

Medium: Oils on Stretched Canvas

Date:  8/18/2011

This is the second of the two, 30x48 canvases I had.  I took the inspiration from the little 6x8" painting I posted in April, 2010 called San Diego Harbor.

I posted Harbor to eBay and it already has a bid on it, yay.  

The 2011,  SD Art Contemporary Art Fair is coming September 1-4.  

Urban Edge 4 SOLD

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Size: 48x30x1.5

Medium: Oils and Acrylic on Canvas.

Date: 10.5.11

I have one more canvas this size to paint.  A few ideas have come to me but I haven't made a decision yet.  Shall I jump in and start or wait until I have an idea of where I am going?

Update

It's been a month since my last post and even longer since my last painting!  I've been giving my arm/neck/shoulder a much-needed rest and since I have been in an artistic dry spell anyway, it has worked out perfectly.  Yesterday I did finally begin a new oil painting on a 30 x 48 canvas.    I am curious to see how it turns out.  

New Friend (the little painting of a dog and man) was sold last week. It had become an "old friend" to me so in a way I was sorry to see it go.  But it went to a loving and appreciative home, which made the farewell a happy occasion.

Update

Remember Royal Food Mart? That is the painting I submitted and had accepted to the June/July 2011, SDAI Regional show.  You can see the show online here or stop by for the Special Artist Reception: July 1, 2011, 6pm to 8pm for "juried and awarded artwork from "Outstanding Visual Artists" of the region".

The show runs from June 24, 2011 to July 24, 2011.  The San Diego Art Institute is located in Balboa Park, House of Charm, and 1439 El Prado.  Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 10 am - 4 p.m. Sunday 12 - 4 p.m.  Requested Gallery Donation: Adults  $3.  Senior Citizens, Military and Students  $2.  Children under 12 admitted free.

Sketchy Number

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Size: 16 x 20
Medium: Digital Pigment Print
Date: 6/17/2011



There is an ongoing discussion I have with one particular artist-friend.  He likes art that derives meaning from its narrative.  Paintings need to include people and personal struggles.    On the other hand,  although I appreciate that type of art, I really am more drawn to paintings that are non-narrative in nature.  The more direction the artist gives, the less drawn in I am.  That's one reason I am so attracted to very abstract art.  What do you think?

But then, I also like pop art which often focuses on ordinary, everyday objects.   In the case of this old telephone, we can only imagine the narrative.  Is someone coming to the phone?  Is it a friendly call, good news, bad news?  Or is it off the hook because, well, any number of reasons?  A narrative is left to the viewer.

Update

I started two new pieces this week and hoped to get them finished and posted.  As you can see  I didn't make it.  Seems I spent more time on marketing and listings than on painting.  That happens. 

Saturday night I stopped in at the SDAI Summer C-Note opening, where I had 4 paintings.  I was told the buyer of A Day in the Park 2, had been waiting in line for the doors to open so she could be the first to get to the painting!  For C-Note shows, buying is on a first-come, first-served basis.  It makes for a lively and energetic show.  Loft 13 also sold, but I missed that one too.  They were both gone by the time I arrived.  The other two I submitted were A Day in the Park 1 and Toward the Light.  The show runs through June 19, so I hope they too will be sold!

Yesterday I had lunch with an artist-friend at the Contemporary Museum of Art La Jolla, cafe and visited 5 contemporary art galleries, including the Tasende, which I had never visited.  He sold 5 paintings of La Jolla at a recent solo show.  That's the way to do it!

Pomegranates #3

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Size: 7x5
Medium: Digital
Date: 3/11/2002

This week I am resurrecting my first digital art piece.  As nearly as I could tell from my computer files it dates back to at least 3/11/2002.   This means I drew it on my old laptop, using a center track pad.  I remember when the idea came to try a little digital sketch.  At the time I did not know whether anyone had done this yet.  (I'm sure MANY had)    I was surprised at how much I liked it and it has remained a favorite, with its sketchy looks.

Typewriter V2 #2

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Medium: Digital
Size: 8x10
Date: 5/24/2011

More printing problems.  Last week I wrote about how the company that prints my larger Giclee paintings had moved farther away.  Since then I have been listing more of the smaller-sized digital pieces so that I can handle the orders on my own printer.  But alas, my old (by today's standards) printer chugged out its last two prints before throwing up its hands and quitting.  I sent them to the customer whose shipment arrived damaged a few days earlier.  And guess what.  The replacements arrived damaged as well.  SO, my new printer arrives today and I will reprint and resend again.  USPS, what has happened to you?

Remember the blue Typewriter? (August 2010)   It has been my most popular digital piece. It was carefully modeled on a 1960's Montgomery Ward typewriter.   I thought it would be fun to do it up in some new, Mid Century Modern colors.   Here it is dressed in Harvest Gold and Yellow.

Toward the Light

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Size: 24 x 30 x 1.5
Medium: Oils on Acrylic
Date:  5/11/2011

Ending the week with a bang.  My printer for the Giclee pieces has closed his shop in nearby North Park and is now working further away in Tierrasanta.  A casualty of the times I think.  And I received word today that a small,  framed issue  of Beach  24 I shipped a few days ago arrived shattered.  This is the second time in as many months that a Priority Mail shipment has met with disaster.   Thankfully they were insured,  but it is a great inconvenience for the buyers.   The alternative is the more expensive UPS.  

A Day in the Park 2-SOLD

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Size: 24x30x1.5
Medium: Oils over Acrylics
Dated:  4/22/2011

The second of the 2 canvases I bought at the Aaron Brothers sale.  My right arm/shoulder has enjoyed about a one week break and I am hoping it's about ready to go to work on a new piece for next week.

A friend invited me to a paste paper class Tuesday.  We mixed acrylic paint into a mixture of wheat and rice flour, gelatin and Joy detergent and then brushed it onto paper.  It was interesting and we worked in a spontaneous fashion, in which one doesn't plan nor wait for inspiration to come.  On the wall was a sign attributed to Henri Matisse that read  "Don't wait for inspiration; it comes while working."