more abstract figure work

 30"x40" oil/linen (@ design domain gallery)

 48"x24" oil/linen (@design domain gallery)

 24"x48" (@design domain gallery)

 30"x40" oil/linen (@ modern history collection)

30"x40" oil/linen (@ my truck :))

I've been a tad bit busy prepping for my show season which kicked off in Richmond VA. last week. I still am fascinated with this subject matter and where it takes me. I notice that I seem to be doing more layering and allowing very raw strokes to remain untouched. Even the drip marks are interesting to me.

figure painting

36"x36" oil

I thought it would be good to show a piece I did way back when in art school compared to my new stuff. Gesture is the new theme. The bottom figure was done at least 15 years ago. My memory is as bad as my historical recollection. I care way more about tomorrow than I do about yesterday! In the end what sings on the wall? The new work has something ...............

Jump for joy

 24"x24" oil

 24"x24" oil

 30"x40" oil

36"x36" oil

Here are 4 new pieces that I did over old work. I continue to find satisfaction with creating abstract figures rising from the ether of old work. If you go far enough back in my blog you'll find a 36" square painting of a Texas longhorn that is now a bunch of dancers. It's nice to have options....

Something is about to happen.....

 10x8

40x30

2 new pieces that I like juxtaposed. It feels like a story is playing out. I'm most interested in the play between shape and gesture.

new stuff...it's been awhile since I posted

 the cows are all 6x6

 40"x30" revisited a Chicago scene. New size though.

A 24" x48" figure from my imagination. Hey.. it's not a dancer :) Just got back from the Chadds Ford paint out. Sold a piece but was too forgetful to get an image. My memory is suspect as is my vision. It helps me keep things loose.....

The mighty Susquehanna River

48"x36" oil/canvas

A new large piece I did of the Susquehanna river at dusk. I still really enjoy cloudscapes over the river. A nice complement to the cityscapes of late....I think so anyhow.

Ode to Merlin and more active imagination work

 "Ode to Merlin"

18x24 oil/canvas. More works from the depths of my imagination....

 8"x10" oil/linen

 10"x8" oil/linen

 10"x8" oil/linen

20"x24"

Capitol Dome View

30"x40" oil/linen

I've been working on this Harrisburg scene for days. It's very close to my home and is a good example of our local streets. The capitol dome is the distant focal point. Got to sign this one 2013. Happy New Year!

More new work

 16x20 oil/linen  sold

 11x20 oil/linen  sold

 16x20 oil/linen

 16x20 oil/linen

A client sent me some images she took of the Maine coast for commissions and she took the top 2 :)

A new cow is below.

6x6 oil/panel

new stuff

 30"x40" value sketch

 6"x6" new cow

30"x40" value sketch comes to fruition.

Those of you familiar with Pittsburgh know that a lot of the bridges are painted yellow. It's an interesting phenomenon s well as unique construction. This would be one of those bridges.

more cows

 6x6 oil/panel

Okay. I admit I'm on a cow fixation. Happens every winter. With any luck we'll get snow and I'll have my artist friend David Oleski video me doing some plein air cow stuff. Below is another studio piece and then....well I describe...

 6x6 oil/panel

 So this is how I start most paintings. Put in the darkest value first. It's amazing how quickly an image appears when you have a limited value range. Note there is no sketch. The painting is the sketch...

 Now I introduce the next value range paying attention to temperature. Just because it's dark doesn't mean it's cool!

 At this point I'm satisfied with the piece. Now for the background. Unlike landscape where it is important to establish a key these "portraits" are flexible. I go with a warm selection.

6x6 oil/panel

cows

 6X6 oil panel

11"x20" oil/linen

2 new pieces. I've been working on commissions and have a lot of new work. I'll post the rest of the new stuff throughout the near future. Cheers..........

post thanksgiving post.

 20"x24" oil

 30"x40" oil

30"x40" oil

3 new pieces that I've stopped working on. The cityscapes take a lot of energy out of me. When I paint I psychologically put myself in the environment that I am painting. I feel like I'm back in that location all the while I'm painting it. Immense energy goes into a single stroke. I think this is critical when creating loose atmospheric paintings.

new urban work

 14"x11" oil/linen

 30"x40" oil/linen

11"x14" oil/linen

Here are some new pieces fresh off the easel. Cityscapes will be a subject of focus for me this winter

abstract figure

 20"x16" oil/linen

 30"x40" oil/linen

 14"x11" oil/linen panel

 10"x8" oil/linen panel

 10"x8" oil/linen panel

 10"x8" oil/ linen panel

10"x8" oil/ linen panel

So I've been quite prolific as of late. When I do these type paintings they are completely out of my imagination. I purposely tried to incorporate some landscape but to no avail. These things just come through me. I try to fight them yet they appear. At the risk of sounding like a lunatic I'm just documenting my work as a whole. When I work from observation I stick to what I see albeit a bit embellished. When working from the imagination I suppose anything goes but for me not anything goes. Certain things appear. At least there is a part of me that demands satisfaction and these figurative works bring that satisfaction somewhat. That being said...... I'm never quite satisfied.....