I follow the new

This week, I continued to be pulled along by the new series that seems to be materializing. Having many canvases on the go in the studio always seems to work well for me and because of this, the series seems to be growing rapidly.

This week there was an addition to the series' palette, the beautiful and seductive Payne's grey joined us. I was richly rewarded by allowing the color into the mix. I was trained to avoid using black paint when another color will do and I have broken the rule often by using charcoal or charcoal powder mixed with walnut oil in previous paintings. This time I used a tube of Payne's grey and fell in love. The color is so rich, like the perfect shade of punk rock blue-black hair dye and with the texture of crude oil. I was hard pressed not to cover the whole canvas in this color and call it a day. I fear I will have to hide this paint, the way it holds a brush stroke is divine. Everyone talks this way about a tube of paint, right?

In other news, I wrapped up the Rothko module in the MOMA course (a few days behind). It felt good to get caught up and take the quiz. I wasn't as inspired by this module as I was of the others strangely. I am looking forward to lovingly cramming all of Agnes Martin into this weekend. I am so glad I came across the course, I am not sure if this body of work would have materialized if I hadn't. It's just so good to see work of well-loved painters in a different way and to read their words and thoughts and to learn their techniques. To feel connected and supported by the painters that came before is such a comfort and joy. Because of courses like this, I know that there are people on the planet that see color the way I do, as well as people that fall in love with tubes of paint.

Until next week, keep fighting. The world needs you and your art.

I am the work

Last week, I said I was getting serious this week. I did not tell a lie. I was back in the studio inspired with purpose and somehow a new series emerged.

I think what really inspired me to get back to more serious and focused work was an essay I read as part of the Pollock module of the MOMA course. Harold Rosenberg's, "The American Action Painters" from Tradition of the New, originally in Art News in December of 1952 set me on fire! I read this article out loud to myself and was so excited by what I read, I was cheering and clapping! What a joy to discover a language that ignites, reinforces, as well as challenges, my own beliefs about modern abstract art. I ordered Rosenberg's essays the following day. It was wonderful to feel embraced by and connected to this period of art and time not only by the paintings but also by the critical thinking surrounding the work.

It reinforced again, that I know what I am doing (yes, after 20 plus years I still (at times) have my doubts) and that I am to remain on the path in order to simply further the "creation of private myths" and "...just to paint. The gesture on the canvas was a gesture of liberation, from Value—political, esthetic, moral." Doesn't that sound, great? Where do I sign up? Every day in my studio, that's where!

To paint is true liberation and that is why I have stuck with it. I feel my most free when I paint and I feel most like myself. Painting is the way I share my secrets and my truth, it's the way I see the world and it's where I create my own. The work is me and I am the work.

As I wrap up this post, I will leave you with this final Rosenberg quote. "The lone artist did not want the world to be different, he wanted his canvas to be a world. Liberation from the object meant liberation from the "nature", society and art already there. It was a movement to leave behind the self that wished to choose his future and to nullify its promissory notes to the past."

Soon to get serious (again)

Tidy Studio

I spent this week in the studio cleaning it up and organizing my materials. It always feels good to touch all my tools and get everything back in order before I begin a new project.

I also got caught up with last week's blog post and filmed my usual Tuesday Studio Video Visit for my facebook page. I dipped my toes in the Jackson Pollock module in the MOMA course.

Besides these art related things, I did manage to prepare and start working on an art book. Something I have not done since 1999. For those of you relatively new to my blog, here are a few images from my old books series from 1999.

I have always loved the texture of working on paper. The idea of working in a space that is to be closed up, contained and then opened to experience the art within appeals to me. I went into detail about this in my Tuesday art video, so check it out from the link above if you haven't already.

The book I started this week has a good sturdy front cover. The yellowy pages and small vintage type appealed to me and it seemed like the perfect choice for an art book. It's early days yet, so we will see how the piece (or pieces) progress within the book. Here are a couple of photos of the beginning of the process.

I have set Monday as the day where I will get serious again. I need to regroup over the weekend, order some larger canvas and start painting like there is no tomorrow. Thanks as always for checking in and being part of the process.

Until next week, just know that the world needs you and your art. Perhaps now, more than ever. Keep fighting.

Politics, paint, and hope.

I stayed up all night on Thursday watching the GE 2017 election results come in. I went to sleep at 6:30 Friday morning not sure what I had just witnessed and knew my day and possibly the days ahead would be a bit off kilter. Hence the delay in this blog post.

One thing I do know is that it is wonderful to see the youth being active, politically engaged, and voting. More of that, please! It's your world you are creating. Keep fighting for it!

Back to art, this week, armed with some new materials in the form of Pebeo brand acrylics I purchased on sale (they really are pretty nice) and some different mediums (inspired by the MOMA course), I set to work on 5 small works on canvas. Mostly just experimental and probably to be reworked again. I also started accidental portrait #7. She is staring at me from the wall as I type and though she has no eyes (yet), she has quite a gaze.

I got word while I was watching the GE2017 results that accidental portrait #6 was desired by the patrons who put me on the planet (my parents) so that will make the third portrait headed to the States. I am grateful for the support! Thank you!

I have been exploring other means for supporters of my work to become patrons but that is another conversation for another day. I will keep you posted. In other news, I am having a studio sale of some small original paintings in my Etsy shop.

That's all I have for you this week. Thanks for tuning in. Don't let the bastards get you down and keep fighting!

A place to belong

Accidental Portrait #6

This week I painted another accidental portrait and completed an abstract diptych that I am quite pleased with.

Diptych in the studio courtyard

I started week two of the MOMA course, with the focus being on the work of Barnett Newman. I thoroughly enjoyed being reminded of his work and his methodology. The course, in general, has reminded me how much I love learning about art and artists and how much more there is to learn and explore. It does take me back to my time at the University of Oregon and how the individual professor's interests and passions influenced what we were taught and who we studied. I still feel incredibly fortunate to have had that opportunity and to have studied with the particular professors that I did. For a split second today I even thought about pursuing a Masters but then I thought better of it.

Truthfully, I haven't been spending enough time in the studio, my energies have been a bit scattered but I plan to rectify that this month. I am grateful for having art in my life and having a place among all the painters before and after me. For me, art is a calling, an identity and a place to belong. I hope you have something like that in your life.

Until next week, you know what to do.