Isolation
One of the first things that Dr. Rodman told us at the very first creative workshop that I ever attended was that the artist/writer was the last person that you ever wanted to ask about their art. They may say nothing or they may speak volumes – either way you will probably get about the same amount of useful information. The problem is, apparently, what the artist is trying to convey, and what is actually being said may be two completely different things. What really matters, at least to me, is the message that someone is actually receiving from my ...
Western Heritage
Growing up in Texas you are surrounded by a rich tradition that is unlike any other place in the world. The idea of the Cowboy lifestyle and the freedom that it represents has always been embraced by the people of this state. It is a way of life that is older than the state of Texas, The Republic of Texas – in fact it stretches back over 400 years to the vaqueros that worked the plains of what is now Texas and New Mexico. Living in this part of the world the culture becomes a part of you in ways ...
Ann
This is my second painting of Ann. I seldom do more than one painting of a subject, but she has been my painting companion since the very beginning so it makes sense that she is reappearing in my artwork. I certainly couldn’t do a ‘Dog Show’ without including her. People are often surprised by how calm she is, and can’t believe that she is a long hair Chihuahua. It is often thought that all small dogs are hyper little bark machines, but Ann disproves this. I had a doggy door installed in my studio so that even when everyone else ...
Iago
This painting involves the culmination of everything I have learned in the past eight years of painting. It is a mixed media piece that includes oil paint, watercolor, acrylic, and resin (both mixed and unmixed with pure pigment). The composition of the piece was designed to bring out the strong points of each of the mediums. Careful use of the resin is the secret that allows you to mix the water and oil colors together along with the acrylic in a stable way that maintains its archival qualities. Along the left and right sides of the painting are extremely textured ...
Woman Resin study #1
I had an incredible time working on this piece. My objective was to marry the flowing qualities of the resin with the precise color control that oil paint gives me to achieve a look that appears natural and organic yet also rigid in form. The surface of the painting is almost as smooth as glass. My paintings have traditionally always had raised lines, while this is a necessity for me to be able to feel the lines it is also a limitation in that it restricts the flow of paint like a dam across a river. The trouble was that ...
Six Shots
This painting came about because I wanted to do a piece that explored the different properties of steel and glass. I love the dichotomy of the symbolism, where firearms represent the ultimate control over human action and alcohol represents the release of inhibitions and the defiance of convention. Alcohol and bullets are an explosive subject matter so I’m sure I will be doing more work in this area.
Man Resin Study #2
I refer to this painting as the ‘Hero’ painting because the initial inspiration for this work comes from the comic heroes. I was interested in how heroes are portrayed in popular culture and how this differs from actual heroes in real life. Most people that demonstrate courage and honor in their lives do not have ripped abs or arms the size of tree trunks. The most courageous person I ever met was a 16 year old boy who was thin as a rail and never complained once even though he was at the end of his life. I have stripped ...
What is This?
Since I first lifted a brush I have constantly questioned what perception truly is. If 'seeing is believing' then what can I truly know? Synonyms for blind in any dictionary include words like ignorant, irrational, and unreasoning. To some people I am invisible, to others their preconceived notions of what I must be clouds any true perception, which leaves me with only how I perceive myself. I don't obsess over my blindness; I only mention it here because of how it has influenced my art. Picasso said that, "painting is a blind man's profession," and this is true - art ...
Mikey
I met this dog when I went for guide dog training in San Antonio with Guide Dogs of Texas. San Antonio has a large number of stray dogs, and this is one that lived in the same neighborhood of the school. He is a mixture of breeds; if I were to guess I’d say that he was probably part pit bull and part greyhound. Whoever his parent’s were they certainly gave him an oversized personality and a nose to go with it. He seemed to me to be the epitome of what a dog is in its natural state – ...
New Works
IsolationOne of the first things that Dr. Rodman told us at the very first creative workshop...
What is This?
Since I first lifted a brush I have constantly questioned what perception truly is....
Western Heritage
Growing up in Texas you are surrounded by a rich tradition that is unlike any other...
The Last Moment
The glass tips and falls towards the floor; it is still whole and perfect, but in...
Morning Bird SongDetail When the day has just started and the light is only an impression on the...
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Will 6 More Weeks of Winter Lead to Robot Monkeys?
Illustration taken from botropolis.com: Mary Robinette Kowal’s story “Evil...
Rock it Out!I’m on the phone discussing a speaking engagement when I hear something like: “It’s...
Notes from the TubI just stepped into a tub that was clearly too hot, and I have learned something...
Ann
My little dog Ann passed away this evening; I am still numb from it really. She has...
Crazy Train. All Aboard!I think my computer is training me to be crazy. I heard somewhere that the definition...
Read More Posts From This CategoryArt Talk
Thank YouThings have been tight all over; a lot of very experienced and well established artists have had to scale back their painting, and some have even hung up their brushes. I feel lucky because I am actually doing more of everything – workshops, demonstrations, lectures, painting, and it is completely due to the people that have been so supportive of... [Read more of this review]
First FlightI flew a plane for the first time yesterday, it was an incredible experience, and yet it is only the first step in a new artistic project. The aircraft was a two-seater trainer called a Diamond. Sitting in the cockpit surrounded by gauges, buttons, and levers you are made intensely aware that an aircraft is an instrument of control – there are... [Read more of this review]
Finding your StyleThere is a lot of talk about an artist needing to find their style whether it is in painting, music, dance or whatever. People will sometimes search for years, and feel that they are still no closer to finding their own unique voice. Some even question whether there is such a thing as style at all. I think perhaps some may discount style because they... [Read more of this review]
Can I Be an Artist?You may have asked yourself: Can I be creative?; can I paint? Am I, in fact, an artist? That’s a terrific question, and ironically it is one that answers itself. No one on this planet that’s filled with video games, DVD’s, taverns, books, iPods, food and drink, work and millions of other diversions would even ask themselves this unless they were... [Read more of this review]
Art Math: It’s All Alimentary My Dear WatsonWhile artists are praised by society for their creativity and intellectual abilities ironically they are often looked down upon on as having their heads too much in the clouds and for having poor science and math skills. Whether this is true or not brushing up on our math skills could only help. Which brings us to my next segment: Art Math. 1st equation: 2... [Read more of this review]
Read More Posts From This CategoryRecent Posts
Thank You: Things have been tight all over; a lot of very experienced and well established artists have had to scale back their painting, and some have even hung up their brushes. I feel lucky because I am actually doing more...
Will 6 More Weeks of Winter Lead to Robot Monkeys?:
Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow today predicting six more weeks of winter. Apparently 9 times out of ten this is what he predicts making his job as forecaster slightly more difficult than the average southe...