Emergency Use Only

  I'm just trying to finish up some work before years end, now that most of them are done I have to photograph them. I take the worst photos, one day I hope to figure out how its done. I've never smoked but over the years I've picked up quite a few pipes, go figure. Its probably because their in so many painting I've enjoyed  looking at over the years and from time to time I feel a need to connect with some of the artist who have used them as subject matter.

Magic Book

  It's been so long since I've posted anything, people are probably wondering if I still paint. Well I do! And have done quite a few since summer has come to an end. Hopefully I will start posting some of them.

Fifteen And Change

Money and safes just seem to go together so why not paint the two. In this case the safe is made up, I only had a safe dial and handle to work with. Its good to work like this from time to time. It helps keep you loose and not such a slave to your subject matter. I like doing things like the small piece of paper that sticks out from the bottom of the door, hopefully you just want to pull at it.

Liberty Is Golden

This painting for whatever reason seemed to take forever. It must be the nice weather and all the golf. It never fails, every summer production seems to go down, but quality should not. Ken Davies gave me good advice years ago, "better to do three really good paintings than five mediocre ones". The advice seems pretty easy and straight forward, but can at times be difficult to live up too. But years later I still find this simple advice one of the most important lessons I recieved in art school.

Money Has Wings

 I feel as if money really does have wings. And after looking at the eagles pictured on some currency it all makes sense, money is suppose to fly off not to be seen again. I am presently doing a larger painting based on this concept which will involve much more currency. I think most people find it easy to relate to this theme.

George Gets A Promotion

George gets a well deserved promotion from the one dollar bill. Trompe l'oeil stikes again!

Another Rack Painting

Anybody who knows anything about American art knows Madame X.  A painting done by John Singer Sargent. Its well worth a visit to The Metropolitan Museum Of Art in New York to see the original, its amazing. I put "X" in the painting numerous ways. The most obvious is the rack itself, the torn piece of paper and the business card. The card  has simply an "X" on it and the symbol of the Met, a reference to where the painting is located. One of the envelopes has a return address to John Singer Sargent. The painting was framed in a ornate molding that Madame X deserves, it was floated in the frame. The screws in the corners make it look as if this is how the painting is being held  into the frame.

Letters From Home

 

I've always enjoyed looking at rack painting, so every now and then I have to do one. Their fun! One of the difficult things about them is the placement of  objects. It has to look random and still have a strong composition. Its tempting to keep adding things and to fill every corner but that doesn't always make for a good painting. In this piece the portrait is a painting of Paul Wayland Bartlett the American sculptor who worked and lived in France. It was done by Charles Sprague Pearce an artist who's work I really admire.

Contemporary Still-Life Paintings at Spanierman Gallery

Opening March 24 and showing until April 16 at Spanierman Gallery in New York will be the show, Contemporary Still-Life Paintings. It will feature nine artist, my contribution will be trompe l'oeil of course. I posted a photo of the painting Taking Chances because it was featured on the cover of the brochure sent out to announce the show. I have to admit I'm quite proud of it.