Soon, I hope.

That's when I'm planning on, hoping for, a return to the easel. My wife and I just recently bought our first home and I've spent the last month or so working on it, and then moving. My new studio is not even close to being set up, but I'm hoping to get it to a place where I can at least throw a little paint around within the next week.

Wish me luck!

WORK IN PROGRESS

30"x40"

Mixed Media on stretched canvas

Not even close to being finished on this one. I like the direction the clouds have taken, though the yellow peeking out at the horizon line will have to go. This sky seems to be heading in a less ominous direction than the last few abstract landscapes I've painted.

"Spontaneous Structure"

36" x 48" triptych

Mixed media on stretched canvas

SOLD

Wow, it's been a long haul on this piece. At least, it seems that way. For the longest time, I had been stumped, looking for the movement in this painting. I had most of the pieces in place, and yet, it was still missing something. Now that it's finished, I feel like I was wrong. I thought it was lacking movement, when all along, the movement was there, but not the structure. It needed polarity. And polarity is a word I think of when I think of the client for this commissioned piece. The client is very structured in his work ethic and linear thought. He's a very smart guy. That said, he also has the ability to be silly, playful and very spontaneous. I don't know if I was able to capture that in this piece, but I sure as hell tried.

I used two different kinds of gauze, jute, and copper leaf. The piece is to be hung in the client's dining room and surrounded by neutral colors, so I really wanted to the piece to have a lot of texture to jump off the wall, and layers to pull the viewers closer.

I'm in the home stretch on the commissioned piece.

I'm going to try and keep my momentum going by starting a new big(ger) abstract landscape today, while I wait for the commission to dry a bit. D wants something with a big of purple in it.

There's no finished painting to post today. I have been working on the commissioned piece the last week or so. It's still not finished, but I do see light at the end of the tunnel.

"Past the Rain"

30"x40"

Mixed media on stretched canvas

$1000

SOLD

(Cue the "2001 A Space Odyssey Theme")

Wholly crap!

Could it be?

Is it?

...

It IS!

Ladies and gentlemen, kids of all ages, Jeff Bowser has completed a painting! Alert the media! Crack the bubbly! Smoke 'em if ya got 'em, and keep the women indoors!

Man, it's been awhile. I just finished running the Big Sur Marathon last weekend. The last two weeks have been spent preparing for that. I've been working on this piece for a while now. It's my first full-sized abstract landscape, originally conceived for our mantel, but being sold to a good friend instead. I'm happy she'll have it. It'll have a good home.

It's tough to see in the photo, but under the clouds there is rain falling in the distance.

I'm stumped.

I've been working on a commissioned piece for a while now and I've reached a place on the piece where I need to move forward, but by doing so, I run the risk of messing up the work I've done thus far. As I write this, it occurs to me that I could probably just go ahead and move forward. If I mess it up, really, how much further behind will I be, especially given the wall I've been staring at for the past few weeks?

Be brave! Go forth and prosper!

It's the movement in the piece that's got me a bit stymied. I will get it, though, and I refuse to fall into a situation like I did with the war painting I did last year. No, I will not allow that to happen again.

"Outside the Box"

24" x 30"

Mixed media on stretched canvas

$400

Your eyes do not deceive you. This piece is very similar to a piece I painted like it a year ago. That's because it's the same piece. On DailyPainters.com we were to post a piece for their "Outside the Box" themed painting. I've been hard-pressed to find time to really sit down at the easel lately, so, rather than miss out on the opportunity to post over at Daily Painters, I figured I should repost an older piece. Is it cheating? Perhaps, but hell, the piece is called "Outside the Box", I mean, c'mon!

"Desert Sunset"

8"x10"

Acrylic on stretched canvas

$45

SOLD

Finally, I finished a jewel. I wanted to incorporate a bit of the landscape that I see on my trail runs in the desert and in the mountains.

I haven't posted a painting in a while. I haven't been a total slug. The auditions picked up for a bit there, before that I was working on that commissioned diptych, and I shot a short film over the weekend that really took it out of me.

I'm hoping to get back at it on monday, and get some more jewels finished.

I hope you're all well.

"Sailors Delight"

8"x10"

Mixed media on stretched canvas

$45

I feel like I may have gotten a few things right on this jewel.

"A Little Sunlight"

8"x10"

Mixed media on stretched canvas

$45 

Another jewel, this time, with a bit of the sun poking through...

"Up the Beach"

8"x8"

Mixed media on stretched canvas

$40

I took the title of this piece from a Jane's Addiction song of the same name.  It's a painting of a beach, and I love Jane's Addiction... so, why not, right? I've used gauze and some textured media for the clouds, and a bit of the texture media for the earthy areas on the shore. 

Untitled Jewel

8"x8"

Mixed media on stretched canvas

$40

Say what? 40 bucks?!  That's a deal at any price!  

That's right, just doing my part to help the U.S. economy, pull itself up by the collective bootstraps.  It's raining again today.  I think the weather may have influenced the piece.  

WORK IN PROGRESS

36"x48" Diptych

Mixed media on stretched canvas

Here is where my commissioned piece is at.  It's getting there, but as I look at it, I can't help but notice it's lack of movement.  It feels somewhat stagnant.  I need to be patient, and I'm confident it will eventually reveal itself to me.  I will be pulling the blue back in it when I work on it next.

WORK IN PROGRESS

54"x36 Triptych

Mixed media on stretched canvas

So, here is the piece that I've been working on lately.  I began it 6 months ago, then put it aside, just not feelin' it.  I've been working on it for a couple of weeks now, along with the commission I got over the holiday.  I will post a photo of the commission tomorrow.

This piece brings back the boxes, and the feeling of something emerging.  I'm using jute, gauze, gels, and some texture mediums as well.  Since this photo was taken, I've worked the top square, (brown one) a bit more, making it pop more, bringing some shading into the bottom of the box.  It is difficult to see on the photo, but the boxes are made by single strands of jute pulled taught.  I like the effect the single strands have, and in the future may employ more weaving techniques.  

"Abstract Landscape With Green"

9"x12"

Acrylic on stretched canvas

$50

Your eyes are not deceiving you.  It really is a new jewel. 

It rained here off and on for the better part of a week.  It's sunny today, but we're expecting rain again tomorrow.  I'm excited.  "You need to get out more."  You may be right, but here in Los Angeles, we don't get much rain, and when we do, it's the lead story on the local news.  Man on the street interviews, some poor slob sitting out in it, showing you what water looks like when it falls from the sky.  For those of you in different parts of the world, you may think I'm joking, I'm not.  I grew up in Wisconsin where, like the Eskimos, we've got different names for the stuff that falls from the sky.  Snow.  Wet Snow, Blowing and Drifting Snow (when it's really cold out and the snow is "dry"), Rain.  Freezing Rain.  Hail.  Sleet.  When you grow up being able to look at a cloudless sky and declare that it "feels like rain" or "it's too still, stay near the house" only to have a tornado warning come an hour later, you miss weather, actual, real, scary, weather.

The sky looked something like this the past week.  I'm hoping tomorrow brings more of the same.  

For all of you suffering from subzero temperatures and up to your eyeballs in snow- I know, I'm an asshole.  

"2gether"

9"x12"

Mixed media on stretched canvas

$50

Ta-da!  A new painting!  A post!  I've been hard at work on two other, larger pieces, and I've been busy writing as well, so that's the reason for the lack of posts here.  

This piece is headed in an interesting direction, but it's just a germ of an idea right now.   "Daily Painters" wanted a Valentine's Day themed piece for tomorrow and so, that's what I've done. 

I'm still painting that commissioned piece, and it's coming along nicely.  It's not finished, but I am relatively happy with it's progress thus far.  I also picked up another piece I had put aside for months.  That piece is also an abstract on stretched canvas, it's also a triptych, and it's also got mixed media on it.  It measures 54"x36".  I want to make a concerted effort to get some jewels going next week.  

Just a quick note to say hi, and state, for the record, that I have been painting!  

It's been a busy new year acting-wise, which is always a good thing.  I'm also currently working on a new commission I got over the holiday break.  It's a triptych measuring 36"x48" with texture and warm colors.  I hope to try and begin posting some smaller jewels next week, in addition to the work on the commission.

Happy New Year, everyone.  I hope '09 brings us all health, wealth, and happiness...

"Untitled Abstract Landscape Series"

12"x60" 

Mixed media on stretched canvases

$550

SOLD

The complete series.  I'm pleased with the way this turned out, and I'm happy to report the client is as well.  I wanted to make the two end pieces a bit heavier, and the middle, anchor piece to bridge the gap, (both literally and figuratively) between the two lighter, greener pieces. 

"Untitled"

12"x12"

Mixed media on stretched canvas

$100

SOLD

The fifth, and final in the commissioned series.  I was more aggressive in this piece, wanting to add a bit more weight to balance out another piece in the series, which ended up being placed on the far left of the finished series.  I will post the entire series tomorrow.

 

"Untitled"

12"x12"

Mixed media on stretched canvas

$110

SOLD

The fourth in the series, this ended up being the middle, or anchor piece.  

"Untitled"

12"x12"

Mixed media on stretched canvas

$110

SOLD

Here is the third piece in the series of 5.  

Things have been pretty crazy 'round these parts with regards to auditions.  For the past two weeks I've been auditioning 2-3 times a day, and even had the rare Saturday callback.  Just like the good ol' days.  I booked one of them, a commercial, so that's cool, and I was this close to booking a second one.  A great way to end the year.  

Untitled

12"x12"

Mixed media on canvas

$110

SOLD

The second piece in that same series.

Untitled

12"x12"

Mixed media on canvas

$110

SOLD

The first in a series of five.  

"Dreams/Landscapes"

27"x36" (series)

Acrylic on stretched canvas

$900

The complete series.  

I'm not too jazzed by this photo, but you get an idea of what the series looks like.  When displaying them I would give them more room to breathe, but for purposes of photographing them and seeing any sort of detail, I pushed them together pretty tight.  Also, I gave very little thought to how they would be displayed, thinking that the buyer could, in the end, make that final decision.  

"Landscape 8"

9"x 12"

Acrylic on stretched canvas

$100

Another in the series of 9.  I guess, now, the series is complete.  I may paint another one or two just to put it all together.

"Landscape 7"

9"x12"

Acrylic on stretched canvas

$100

"Abstract...blah blah blah... composition... blah blah blah..." 

Oh hell, who am I trying to kid? This is an abstract landscape.  Plain and simple.  Sure, it's similar to yesterday's post where I placed it horizontal and called it "One White Line", but when I showed yesterday's piece to my wife, she said she liked it, and promptly proceeded to turn it on the vertical.

Yup.  Another abstract landscape.  

I paint these on their side, horizontally, and it's how I've been seeing things lately, even dreaming of this kind of setup:  the dark colors on the left, lighter on the right, lines etc.  When I show the pieces to my wife, or my art rep, they both like them vertical.  

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em.  

"One White Line"

9"x12"

Acrylic on stretched canvas

$100

 This piece is a bit of a departure from my abstract landscape series, although, if you prop this up on it's side, it become another landscape.  This piece is connected to the green piece I posted on October 8th.  

"Landscape 6"

9"x12"

Acrylic on stretched canvas

$100

No real fixed horizon line on this one... and I'm okay with that.  Still trying to loosen up and find these pieces.  I feel like I'm understanding these abstract landscapes a bit more, but I've still a ways to go.

"Landscape 5"

9"x12"

Acrylic on stretched canvas

$100

Yup.  Another landscape for the series.  I've tried to loosen up a bit more with this one...

"Landscape 4"

9"x12"

Acrylic on stretched canvas

$100

I tried going a bit more minimal on this one, sticking to just the blues, gray and a touch of magenta.  

"Landscape 3"

9"x12"

Acrylic on stretched canvas

$100

I feel like the blue and green area in the land portion got a bit muddy, but hopefully it won't be too much of an eyesore once it's displayed with the other 8 pieces...

"Landscape 2"

9"x12"

Acrylic on stretched canvas

$100

This piece is another in the series of landscapes.  I'm still finding my way around these... As I paint them, they're becoming more literal, and less abstract.  That's not a good thing, or a bad thing, I guess.  It just is... Subsequent pieces may be more pulled back. 

"Landscape 1"

9"x12"

Acrylic on stretched canvas

$100

This was to be the second piece in a 9 piece series of abstract landscapes.  I guess it still is the second piece, but in the meantime, I've sold the first one, making this the new first piece in the series.  Eeesh, that's a fat explanation... 

Untitled

9"x12"

Acrylic on stretched canvas

$100

SOLD

Write this date down.  No, really.  Go get a pen, I'll wait... October 8th, 2008- the day I painted something I kinda liked.  

Is it perfect? Nope.  I do like this direction though, and I'm excited to explore it further.  It's not bad for a study.  I'm seeing something similar to this, as a triptych for over our mantle.   

"Landscape Study"

9"x12"

Acrylic on stretched canvas

$100

What began as more abstract, ended up being more literal.  

"Two Rectangles"

9"x12"

Acrylic on stretched canvas

$100

There's a lot going on here... Too much, perhaps.  I'm still working on the colors of these, and I'm still not comfortable with the way I'm incorporating the different styles.  Growing pains, I guess.  One thing I am happy with is the aged, distressed quality I'm achieving with these.  I need to refine the palette and make these less bold.   

"Reflection"

35"x35" 

Mixed media on canvas

I realize the piece doesn't look square.  It is.  I had to crop it a bit due to the poor photo I took of it.  

In continuing to explore the idea of incorporating two or more different styles within one piece:  "Reflection".  I'm posting the piece how I originally conceived, and painted it, though I think it works if rotated once clockwise, making the vertical brown band horizontal.  

I will continue to pursue this idea further.

Untitled

5"x7"

Acrylic on fiberboard

Government Bailout Package Price:  $50 

Ugggh!  

Okay, let me get this off my chest:

It's F&%#ing HOT here! 

We just returned from a short trip, and when we returned... well, let's just say someone needed to tell Southern California that It's Officially Autumn.  Is the heat an excuse for this painting? No.  It has been a while, though, and it's really been a while since I sat down and banged out a painting of the day.  My blog has really become more like the Painting of the Month.  I'm close to finishing 3 much larger pieces, or, at least I thought I was close on a few of them... we'll see what tomorrow brings.  

"Within/Without"

24"x30"

Mixed media on stretched canvas

Yeah, not entirely sure about this one.  It's quite a departure from the stuff I was doing before and yet, it's related to other stuff on the site.  I've begun to try and incorporate some of my different styles into one piece, and head off in another direction.  

"Harmony in Brown & Green 2"

30"x30"

Acrylic on canvas

The other "Harmony..." piece in the set.  When I painted them, I envisioned this piece being displayed on the right, and "Harmony...1" on the left. 

I've been trying to loosen my style a bit with the "Harmony" pieces.   

"Harmony in Brown & Green 1"

30"x30"

Acrylic on canvas

Just finished this piece, and "#2" which I'll post tomorrow.  I'm liking this palette a lot.  

"Variations #2"

11"x11"

Oil on wood

My blog has sort of come full circle with this piece.  Back on  July 2oth, 2006, my wife used this piece to set up the blog for me.  She surprised me with it.  I'm glad she did.  Since that time my painting has changed a lot.  I've used the small jewels as an opportunity to experiment with techniques, mediums, styles and palettes.  I feel I've grown, (at least I HOPE I have!) and I've really enjoyed myself in the process.  For those of you who have checked in on me, I really appreciate your comments.  It helps to kind of kick my butt a little when I know that people may be looking at the blog.  

"Harmony in Blue #2"

30"x30"

Acrylic on canvas

This is the second piece in the "Harmony in Blue" series.  I need to put a quick layer of gloss varnish on it, just to even it out a bit.  When I  started doing this series, based on the "Variations" series, which is oil, I had a challenge in trying to replicate the technique and effect. The pigment in the former, was mixed with wax; which is how I got the desired effect.    I found that if I mixed the acrylic paint on the "Harmony" series with gloss extra heavy gel, that it was too buttery, but if I mixed it with matte extra heavy gel,  the consistency more closely matched that of the oil-based series.  Because of that, there are both glossy, and matte areas on the finished "Harmony" pieces which need to be evened out.  

"Harmony in Blue #1"

30"x30"

Acrylic on canvas

Yes, this is mysteriously like the other, smaller piece.  I tried to blow it up, and this is what I got.  I also painted another piece to go with it.  I will post that one tomorrow.

I must say, it feels good to be using a lot of blue again.  

"Variations #3"

11"x11"

Oil on wood

Another piece in that older series.  With this piece, you can see how I've tried to work in small bits of color to connect the paintings.  The series really should be displayed together, though they are available separately.

"Variations #1"

11"x11"

Oil on wood

Say whaaaa? Oh yeah, you read that right. OILS!   

Okay, so this is an older painting.  This is one of four pieces I based my last jewel on.  It's a direction I feel needs more exploring.  Making the switch from oils (and wax on this piece and the three others in the series) isn't easy, also, I'm going this direction while making these larger, no small feat.  Well, for me anyway.

Untitled

10"x10" 

Acrylic on stretched canvas

This piece is based on an older painting I did, but in oils.  I was given the assignment of duplicating the earlier piece.  I didn't want to completely copy it, it was more a case of trying to remember the technique I used in this style of painting... It represents a new direction, or, depending on how you look at it, an old one.

"Dancing Woman" (movement sketch)

5"x7"

Acrylic on fiberboard

Hmmm.

Yeah, not really sold on this, but hey, at least I DID one.  This is kind of movement sketch I tried.  I got the idea from a book on drawing my Dad gave me when I was home last week. To me, this looks a lot like some sort of failed Olympics logo or something.  I like the idea of trying my hand at sketches of moving figures, and I really think my work could benefit from the looseness that I wish to achieve.  This represents my first foray in that direction.  

No painting to post today, well, at least not yet.  I felt like I needed to get on here and post something so that people didn't think I fell off the face of the planet.  Rest assured, I have not.  I know you were probably unable to sleep wondering, "what happened to Jeff?"  I went on a short trip back home, couple of days... It was the Shelving Trip.  I put shelves up in the garage for my Mom, and shelves up in my Dad's studio.  I got some books on drawing from my Dad, and in the paging through them on the flight home, got some ideas for my painting.  I haven't painted in so long.  It seems I haven't had a good session since my show a month ago.  I just haven't been aching to paint, and the auditions have kind of taken over as well.  I've been out 5 times this week already, and it's not friday yet.  It's a good thing.  

I'm hoping to get some painting done this afternoon, then it's off to class tonight, (Improv classes) I perform friday night with family coming in for the weekend.  Realistically, I think next week will be when I finally get some painting done...

"Cyndee & Marlon (Redux)"

18"x24"

Mixed media on stretched canvas

I reworked this piece, losing the blood red, and replacing it with blue, and added more texture.

"Dream Image #2"

8"x10"

Mixed media on stretched canvas

I dreamt this painting a while back, maybe a month or so, but just now had the time and inclination to put it down.  As with the first Dream Image piece I painted, it always seems like a better idea when I first wake up.  I know that they always look better in my dreams!  I also altered this piece a bit.  I added the green to it, and the third, horizontal line, intersecting the other two.  It seems that when I dream of paintings, at least the first two that I've awakened to remember and attempted to paint, have both been landscapes in as much as I paint them.  I wonder what that means? Should I be leaning towards the abstract landscape?  Hmmm, food for thought.  

"Uncovered"

40"x60"

Mixed media on canvas

SOLD

Here is the piece where  I first incorporated the jute.  I love the rough, almost hairy quality it has, and the way it grabs the paint and texture mediums when I drag the brush over it.  After areas of the jute has been covered with texture mediums and paint, I like to go back, lay some gauze over, and then go back over again with the mediums.  Pretty much, it's just a matter of layering and massaging certain areas to the background while pulling others to the fore.  I was happy to sell this piece.  It will be hanging on a cruise ship.  

"Hidden" 

15" x  21.5"

Mixed media on wood

SOLD

You may be saying to yourself, "Self, this piece looks familiar", and you'd be right.  I completed it a while ago, then put it aside, but I was never really happy with it.  I recently was putting together my show for saturday night, and picked it up, and reworked it a bit, adding some burlap, and about 3 layers of texture and gauze.  I'm glad I did, as I sold it during the show.  

The show was a success!  I can't tell you how unnerving it was to be there, with a DJ, food, wine, and lots of people, just to hang out, escape the heat (it's been ridiculously hot here lately), and see my stuff.  All in all, I sold 4 pieces, one of which was quite large.  I will post it probably tomorrow or later this week.   We had some dear friends from out of town staying with us over the weekend, and they really helped put the show together with flowers, the arrangement of the room, etc.  Sure, I hung the pieces, but the two good friends, and my wife, D  did all the heavy lifting.   Without them, the show wouldn't have been half of what it ended up being.  I had so many friends, clients, friends OF clients there... hell,  even a clown  showed up.  No really.  There was a clown at my show.  No, I didn't plan for it, it was a friend I do improv with who does clowning sometimes, who came directly from a job to the show.  Let me tell you, when a clown that tops out at six and a half feet shows up in a small gallery, it turns a few heads.  

Good times.

"Corrosion"

40" x 60"

Mixed media on stretched canvas

I finally finished a large piece!  It didn't take a very long time, either, all things considered.  I've done a lot with the screen and two different types of gauze.  I really enjoy working with the gauze.  I've begun a second large piece and hope to have it finished in time for the show in a few weeks.  In that piece, I'm trying out some jute.  We'll see what we get.

"Outside the Box"

24"x 30"

Mixed media on stretched canvas

I've branched out a bit with the color on this piece, namely, the cadmium orange, and continued down the path with the gauze and texture. I've used the orange color a lot in my older work, but I've gotten away from it for quite a while.  

"The Day After Tomorrow"

 30"x 40" (triptych)

Mixed media on stretched canvas

SOLD

Well, finally, after two plus years, and about three attempts, here is the finished commissioned piece that's tormented me since it's inception!  It is, in a nutshell, a painting about war.  One of the most difficult things about the piece, for me, was my own opinions about the war we are currently in.  It makes me angry, and the anger seemed to really be getting in the way of the piece originally.  I think that there is still anger in the finished piece, along with chaos and violence, but also I tried to instill a bit of hope.  

There are nearly 700 names of fallen soldiers on the three canvases from the Afghanistan & Iraq wars.  It took me an entire day to write the names on the piece.  I remember I listened to Chopin, and was pretty depressed by the end of the day.  The enormity of it starts to settle in when you do something like that.   I will never pretend to know what it's like to be in war, to be faced with the decisions those brave men and women make on a daily basis, which is another problem I had with the piece.  The client wanted a piece depicting what someone in war might be feeling, or experiencing.  I've watched countless war films, the biography channel, and the incredible 7 part Ken Burns documentary, "The War".   All of that, and still, I have no idea what it's like.  None.  Nor could I ever know, unless I actually experience it first hand.  So that was a huge hurdle to get past.  

The title was taken from a Tom Waits song of the same name.  It's a song sung from a soldier's point of view as he writes a letter to his family back home.  I listened to it countless times while I worked the painting and I think that helped me to focus a lot better rather than something so huge as WAR.   I also listened to a lot of Chopin, Nine Inch Nails' "Ghosts" record, Peter Gabriel's "Passion" soundtrack, and other numerous things to set the mood.   

I used gold leaf, screen, lots of texture, and lots of loosely woven gauze.  I tell ya, it's been such a process with this piece that I honestly have no idea if it's any good, or if the client will like it.  I sure as hell hope so.  

"Emergence"

30"x 40"

Mixed media on stretched canvas

SOLD

This is a commissioned piece for a woman I went to grade school with back in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.  A long story, too long to go into here.  The color palette is a bit different than I've done recently.  I've worked in the gold leaf, and even a bit of gauze that is visible upon close inspection.  There was a concern of physical weight of the piece, so I didn't go too crazy with texture, trying instead to make what I did put on the canvas, really matter.  

"Letting Go"

30"x40"

Mixed media on stretched canvas

"Letting Go" is a kind of a working title for this piece.  Hell, I'm just happy to have finished it.  It seems an eternity since I've completed anything.  I've been faced with letting go of things lately.  We went to D's Uncle's memorial last weekend.  He was the artist.  I've been in my head painting, usually putting in 7-8 hour days at the easel, and not always happy with the results.   "Letting Go" is as much about the work, as it is with circumstances in my life.  

With this piece I've begun to use a new element;  gauze.  The lightbulb went on a few weeks ago while at an art exhibit.  I already use screen, why not gauze? Same idea, but it gives the piece a soft, almost downy quality to the areas where it was left untreated.  Other areas are varnished or painted, (or both) giving it different qualities.  I'm really diggin' on the gauze, and using it in tandem with the screen.  There's some screen in this piece, but most of it was covered up, by the seemingly endless work I did on it.  It's really come a long way from where it once was.  It has photographed more red than it really is, although there is some red in it...

This piece is for the upcoming show in June.  

No painting yet to post today, although I HAVE been painting, thank you very much.  I'm still getting stuff ready for the show in June, but there's also been a lot going on with my acting lately, mainly, a change of agents.  It was a long time in coming, and I'm hoping the switch will bring with it a lot more work.  My life is mostly filled with 3 or 4 things.  First, my wife, (duh), but after that, if I'm not auditioning a lot, or working a lot as an actor, then I am at the easel, painting, about 8-9 hours a day, 5 days a week.  Sometimes on the weekend I'll paint, but mostly, I try to get my running in then, the longer runs anyway, but ever since my sinus infection/surgery, I've really cut back on the running.  I've had to.  I'm rather sick of dealing with all of it, frankly, and yesterday, I decided to just push forward regardless of how crappy I may or may not feel that day.  I need to get back into running shape, and get back into the gym and get strong again.  I was supposed to run the Big Sur marathon two weeks ago, but that did not happen because of the physical crap I had been dealing with.  The running is much more than just physical fitness for me.  It's a form of meditation really, and when I don't get out on a long trail run for a while, well, I feel it.  I'm sure that D would agree that there's a marked difference in my demeanor as well.  When I'm out on the trail, I can sort through problems, be them acting problems, painting problems, or any sorts of day to day things that come up.  Running soothes my soul, and I'm anxious to get back to it.  I have been thinking of starting a running blog.  I don't know who the hell would read it, or why anyone would, it's not like I'm a world-class athlete, (far from it!).  I think it would just be a record of a regular guy doing running, training for an ultra or two, and what that entails.  Anyway, this post is just kind of a progress reports of sorts, kind of a "Yeah-I-know-haven't-posted-much-lately-but-here's-why" kind of report.  I'm hoping to have a few pieces finished in the next week or so.  Maybe I'll do some jewels in the meantime.  I gotta tell you, though, I'm just not feeling the small size of those right now.  It's hard for me to go from a large piece to a small jewel, and back again.  It really is changing gears for me on a big level.

I hope you're all well!

UNAVAILABLE

"Open Door"

24" x 30"

Mixed media on stretched canvas

This is a piece that I posted earlier, but I hadn't finished.  Now, it's finished.  I didn't do a whole lot more to it.  I worked some more texture in it, (gotta have me more texture) and a bit more work to give it some added depth.

I donated this piece to the Make a Wish Foundation for an art auction  to be held here in Los Angeles, so it's not available for purchase.  I felt the image was appropriate for the foundation.  I'm hoping it fetches some ridiculously large sum for the Make a Wish kids.  

"Approaching Storm"

5" x 7"

Mixed media on fiberboard

Honestly, this piece began as an abstract, but became more literal... I tipped in on it's side and saw the "storm", and so worked it with that in mind.  It didn't take me long.  I was working two or three of these jewels simultaneously, which is how I work the larger pieces as well.  While one piece is drying, I pick up another work that one for a while, and keep rotating them out.  

 

"Abstract Landscape"

5" x 7"

Mixed media on fiberboard

I've had someone asking me to try my hand at some abstract landscapes.  (You know who you are!)  So, here is one.  Just a quick study.    

Untitled

5"x7"

Acrylic on fiberboard

I had surgery on my sinuses last friday, and I'm still on the mend.  Today my head was splitting and I couldn't really focus on anything.  I wanted to try painting, but was afraid to commit.  D came up with the genius idea to tackle a jewel.  "Brilliant!" I think I may start hitting the jewels to warm up a bit before I get to the larger works for the show.  It's also a good way to start posting more work on Daily Painters.  I haven't been doing as many pieces as I should be.  

"Two Halves of One"

24" x 48"

Acrylic on stretched canvas

Another piece for the show.  I'm painting larger these days, and so it takes longer to finish them.  

While photographing this piece it occurred to me that I should be taking more time while I paint to back away from the painting and view it that way.  I think I spend too much time up close 'n personal with the pieces.  I used to walk away from my paintings.  Maybe it's because the studio is small.  I don't know.

UNAVAILABLE

"Hidden"

15" x 20.5"

Mixed media on wood

Comparatively speaking, this is a small piece.  In fact, I can't remember the last time I painted a jewel.  I've been working on larger pieces for the show coming up in June.  I feel like I'm behind.  I've been putting a lot of hours in at the easel lately, and I think that that along with my sinus infection , has caused me to feel a little spent.    

We received sad news yesterday.  There was an unexpected death in the family.  D's Uncle, Bruce.  He was an artist, and one hell of one at that.  I was lucky to have met him on our honeymoon in Italy.  As a wedding gift he let us choose an oil pastel drawing.  What a great day that was... the dogs Lampo and Luna were there, along with  Principe Nero, their cat.  All of them were trying to "help" us.   We pulled out all sorts of  treasures from his studio, setting them all out in the backyard to look at.  Then came the hard part, trying to pick just one.   

He was one hell of an artist.

"There and Back Again"

17" diameter round

Mixed media on wood

SOLD

If you've ever been on my blog, or seen any of my other pieces you know I'm a big fan of texture. Many a museum security guard has gotten their hackles up when I approached a Van Gogh, hands safely clasped behind my back, nose inches from the canvas.  I love studying his brushstrokes,  trying to figure out his process.  He is not the only artist I do this for.  I just need to see what's going on under there!  

There's a lot of texture on this piece.  

The name of this piece originates in how the piece came together.  It began as a commissioned piece, long ago.  When I had the custom panel made, I had 4 more made.  There were a few dead ends with this piece, so I began anew with another panel and ultimately used that as the final commissioned piece.  So this piece headed one direction, then another, then another and finally, headed the direction from whence it came.  So it's been, say it with me kids, "there and back again".  

 

"Isolation" 

36" x 36" (diptych)

Mixed media on stretched canvas

SOLD

I went "crazy with the cheez-whiz" on this one... (Beck fans, anyone?)  Three boxes, screen, lots of texture, and copper leaf.  I feel like I'm finally honing my technique.    

No painting to post today.  I continued work on a diptych for my upcoming show in June.  I need to really bust my butt to get about 10-15 paintings finished for that show.  Today I did a bit of work on the diptych, and then I reorganized a bit.  I pulled all my paints, brushes, additives etc. out of the wood boxes I kept them in, and put them on a wheeled cart I use in the garage studio.  Now I can actually SEE all my stuff laid out in front of me.  It doesn't sound like much, but I'm a bit of a neat freak, and to be organized really helps me focus.  I think it was an unconscious (subconscious?) way of getting down to business for that show.  It also occurred to me that I need to do some larger work for that show, at least one of about 5 or 6 feet to kind of anchor it.

I hope to finish the diptych by the end of next week.  

 

"Two Blue"

18" x 36"

Mixed media on canvas

What's this? Working the horizontal? Say whaaaaaa? 'Tis true.  Of course, I had to go vertical in the imagery of the piece.  I also worked the texture a lot on this painting, but left areas where the weave of the canvas is still visible.  

 

"In Tandem"

9" x 25"

Mixed media on fiberboard

SOLD

This is a commissioned piece I've finally finished.  The client wanted me to use greens, but as I wasn't sure of the space it would be hung I wanted to bounce the darker greens against some neutrals.  I've added screen for some texture, hoping that the viewer would be enticed to look closer.  It strikes me as a masculine piece, but hopefully not overbearingly so.  

"Straight 'n Narrow #6"

12" x 30"

Mixed media on unstretched canvas

The sixth in the series.  I'm needing to paint in another shape so this is the last one for a bit.  I'm sure I'll revisit the shape.  I've begun a new piece for above our mantle it's square, and I'm continuing work on the commissioned piece which is vertical and narrow, very much like this piece.    

"Straight 'n Narrow #5"

12" x 30"

Mixed media on unstretched canvas

Another in the "Straight 'n-" series.  As I look at the small photo and I write this, I'm not all together certain I like the composition of this one.  I do think, that within the series, however, that it works better.  If the 4 or 6 pieces in the series were hung together, or just 2 at a time were hung, the composition wouldn't really bother me, but as a stand-alone piece, I'm not sure. I was a bit more aggressive with the texture on this piece.  I've also worked in some waxy areas where there are ghost-like images under other areas with a wash.  I've always been a big fan of getting up close 'n personal with a piece, and seeing what's going on underneath.  I'm especially fond of doing this with Van Gogh's work.  (big fan of his work, I am)  At a Van Gogh exhibit a few years back, I made the security detail nervous by getting very close to the work just to check out Vincent's brushstrokes.  I like being able to see the weave of the canvas in one area, while seeing pigment so thick it looks like it's been put on with shovel, in another.    

On a completely different note, my father recently told me that he's liked my work on the blog, (thanks, Dad) and that he enjoys when I write about the pieces when I post them.  He finds it, "interesting".  A theory of mine is that perhaps Dad is bored out of his tree, and therefore, interested in things that aren't terribly interesting.  (just kidding, Dad)  It is, after all, ridiculously cold by him right now, below zero, with many feet of snow on the ground by him.  With all of that in mind, I will do my best to post more on the pieces, or at least mention a bit about them.  I must confess, sometimes I just get under the gun, and want to post it, and don't have much to say about a particular piece except something like, "Um, here it is!" or, "Well, this didn't quite turned out like I had hoped" etc.  

"Straight 'n Narrow #4"

12" x 30"

Mixed media on unstretched canvas

My sinus infection rages on.  I haven't got much to write about.  I finished this piece about a week ago.  

"Straight 'n Narrow #3"

12" x 30"

Mixed media on unstretched canvas

Another piece in the "Straight 'n Narrow" collection.  I gave this piece, and the upcoming "#4" more green to go with the first two, which had more blue.  I sold those, so, I guess I'll have to do a few more, with more blue in them...

"Straight 'n Narrow #3"

Dream Image #1

24" x 24"

Acrylic on wood

Well, here it is.  The painting I dreamt about last week.  To be honest, it was better looking in my dream.  At least, I remember it being a better painting in my dream.  But isn't that how it always goes? You awaken from a nightmare, scared out of your mind, only to be baffled at breakfast the next day by what scared you the night before.  When I referred to the notes I had made the morning after,  I realized that the top of the painting was white in my dream, but when I painted it, I remembered it being a rich chestnut-y brown.  I put the texture in there though, from the dream.  For the most part, it's an accurate depiction of what I dreamt... for whatever that's worth.  

"Straight 'n Narrow #2"
12" x 30"
Mixed media on unstretched canvas
SOLD

Another in a series of ??? I think this piece is a bit stronger than the first. I wasn't going to post it today, but the last piece I finished, the "dream" piece is still drying.

"Straight 'n Narrow #1"
12" x 30"
Mixed media on unstretched canvas

SOLD

This is the first in a series. I've got two in the bag, two more to follow. Although I painted it vertical (I'm still seeing most everything vertical), I think it works well horizontally as well.

"Amy's Jewel #2"
17" diameter (round)
Mixed media on wood

SOLD

These round pieces vex me!!! You'd think they'd be just as simple as a square panel to paint, but for me, they are not. I did a bit more with the gold leaf, and a little less with the screen. It started out darker than this, but I opened it up a bit. These round pieces strike me as a bit more restrained than my recent squared paintings. Not as free and loose.

"Blue Stairs"
20"x24"
Mixed media on stretched canvas

Finally, a piece completed. In fact, I've got a few pieces that I finished last week. This is the first. I'm getting back to using more blue. It's my favorite color, too, so it's good to have it back. I've missed using it.

I've read somewhere that it's rare to dream in color.... not sure if it's true or not. I dream in color, and sometimes, rarely, I paint in my dreams. It's usually a precursor of a prolific period for me. In these periods, I seem to get more introverted and more reflective. In the dreams, I don't necessarily see myself actually in the act of painting, (although sometimes I do), more often than not, I'm just sitting at my easel, staring at a painting. Two nights ago I had such a dream. It was so basic; lots of texture, square piece, phthalo blue, cream, overlaid with a tan wash, and a horizontal line of burnt umber. I'm hoping to work on that painting tomorrow if all goes well.

"Cappuccino Dreaming"
26"x 34.5"
Acrylic on unstretched canvas

I was told I need to start naming these pieces. (sigh)

Mmmmm, coffee. I love it. I'm not addicted, mind you. I don't drink 3 pots of it a day or anything. I'm good with my double cappuccino each morning, maybe add a shot of regular coffee to it when I'm throwing caution to the wind, but other than the occasional cup with a dynamite dessert following a great meal, I'm good with just the one in the morning. I had the best cappuccino in my life in Florence, Italy while on my honeymoon. I even had my picture taken while I drank it, because I wanted to moment to live forever. I did my best to order another one... I spoke the little Italian I could, and promptly was given something completely different... and less tasty. Was I foolish to believe I could relive that moment? Perhaps. But you can't blame a guy for trying.

This photo kind of stinks... you can see some of the wrinkles in the canvas because of it not being stretched.

WORK IN PROGRESS
"Open Door"
24"x 30"
Mixed media on stretched canvas

I'm not sure how I feel about posting a work in progress, but I'm doing it anyway. I need to be posting more paintings. These larger pieces take longer than the jewels. I began this piece at a time that doors around me seemed to be closed. Hopefully this is a sign of things to come. I'm not sure how much more work I'll do on this piece.

There won't be much work, if any, at the easel today- three auditions.

Untitled
27"x 23.5"
Mixed media on unstretched canvas

I revisited this color palette after the round one I did a few weeks ago. I've worked in a bit of blue on this one.

Two Brown Lines
5"x7"
Mixed media on wood

If you click on the photo for a larger image, you'll get a better idea of way the gold leaf peeks out from under the screen. It's an effect I'm still working on, but so far, I like the direction it's headed.

"All Knotted Up"
5"x7"
Acrylic on fiberboard

Not Terribly pleased with this piece. I don't hate it I guess, but it certainly doesn't rock my world, I'll tell you that much. I only gave myself an hour to do it, which is hard, for me anyway, because I like to work with texture and that seems to take a lot longer to dry. I have incorporated a small space heater to speed things up. I'm just happy that I finally got a new jewel finished. They can't all be winners, right?

Oh yeah, Happy New Year everyone!

I'm a member of dailypainters.com and they're doing a virtual studio tour. They asked us to include a photo of our studio space on today's post. So, that's what I've done.

SOLD

Untitled
48"x36" triptych
Mixed media on canvas

I know, I know... I've got to start naming these things! I used the screen and some gold leaf on this piece, and I really like the gold leaf's effect. Also on this piece I used a high gloss medium to add texture (and gloss), but I didn't use it all over the piece. I'm not sure if I'll keep it matte/semi-gloss in some areas and high gloss in others. It's hanging over our mantle in the living room so it gives me an opportunity to live with it a bit and make the final decision.

SOLD

Untitled
18" x 24"
Mixed media on stretched canvas

We were trying to name this piece. Sometimes that's hard. This time, it was. And so, "Untitled" is what it got. Lazy? Perhaps, but I wanted to post this for the past few days and because of one reason or another, I hadn't been able to, until today.

Related the some of the earlier pieces, I added the screening for that added texture. This time around, I went with the fiberglass screen, it's softer and easier to work with.

SOLD

Untitled
18"x24"
Mixed media on stretched canvas

It's been a while since I posted here. It's not for lack of effort, I assure you. I've been painting. "Wow, you sound so defensive." No, I'm NOT! Really, I have been painting!!!

This piece is suspiciously like the earlier diptych. It's a theme I liked, and it's received nice comments, so I want to explore it further. I've incorporated some aluminum screening and I happened upon a technique to add more texture, by putting thick paint with added gel medium on the canvas laying, the screen on it, then pulling it off leaving small peaks.  You can click on the photo for a larger, more detailed photo.

Untitled
20" (round)
Mixed media on wood

SOLD

My second piece in this style, and I feel like I've got a better handle on this one. It's a bit larger than the other piece. Again, I've added some screen I had lying around the studio, for a bit of added texture and depth. I really like the effect it has on the work; not entirely subliminal, yet it's also not in your face. I really like the color scheme on this piece. "Color scheme"? Yikes, that sounds so... underhanded, so covert. How about palette? Yes, let's go with that one. Besides the more prominent green gold in the piece, there is also smattering of light blue that I feel goes nicely with the green. I will further explore this color combination in the future with more conventional shapes. I will bring the blue more to the fore in those pieces.

UNAVAILABLE

"Cyndee & Marlon"
18" x 24"
Mixed media on canvas

It's tough to make out on the smaller photo (if you click the photo, it will bring up a larger one), but I used some screen on this piece for added texture.

Untitled
31.5" x 41"
Acrylic on wood


This is an older piece that I just re-worked a bit. There was some lemon yellow in it that I wanted to pull back.

Untitled
Diptych 20"x20"
Acrylic on canvas

Of course it's untitled. Most of my work seems to be untitled. I'm torn when it comes time to name a painting. Should I affect the viewer and their thoughts on what it means to them? Perhaps I read too much into it, and shouldn't think of it again. Don't get me wrong, this isn't something that keeps me up at night, but it is something I struggle with from time to time.

This piece is a complete rework of an earlier piece that I had messed up. Once I began the rework, it was a relatively quick piece... at least it was for me. It's a piece for the upcoming show and it wasn't completely dry when I photographed it. If you click on the photo for a larger photo, you will see a few small milky areas where the gel medium hadn't completely dried.

Untitled

(round) 17" diameter
Mixed media on wood

SOLD

Well, finally, a new piece. It has been a long time, and not for lack of effort, I assure you. These round panels have been giving me a hell of a time. I didn't think it would be that different from painting on square or rectangular shapes... boy, was I wrong. I like the end result, and enjoy the challenge of painting in a round space. I like the linear shapes against the round cutout. I guess I was lazy with regards to naming this piece, but there is plenty of time to name it before November's show.

If you're interested in nabbing this piece before my show, drop me an email. Thanks!

Untitled
20.5" x 15"
Acrylic on wood

SOLD

Yikes! It's been over a month since I've posted. What a slug I am. It's been a busy month. I worked on the show "Monk" for a week, we traveled to San Antonio and San Francisco visiting friends and family, I injured my back which laid me up for about 2 weeks... whew!

I was thinking today on my run. My work, (painting) recently has felt forced, and uninspired. I'm not sure why. I don't know that I've tapped into that sense of melancholy/inner rage for a long time. Is that what makes "art"? What the hell constitutes "art" anyway? Do I have to feel all this in order to paint something worthwhile? I don't know if it's because I'm getting older, and mellowing with age, perhaps it's because I feel less inclined to feel depressed/angry, whatever, because, well, frankly, these days I'm pretty happy. It sounds corny, but wife is the best thing to ever happen to me. Period. I'm a very lucky man, and maybe that reflects on the work. I definitely think my work has gotten lighter since I've known my wife (that, and a comment from a friend who buys art also helped me lighten the palette.) Can a painter still do worthwhile work when he's happy? God, I hope so. Must be. I still can't refer to myself as an "artist". It seems self-serving. Do I feel that way about other people calling themselves artists? No, absolutely not. Double standard? You bet. But, it's the way it is.

Which brings me to this painting. It elicits little emotion from me. It's for a show I'm hoping to have in November. It was supposed to be next week, but with all the time I had to take off, I had to push the show a month. I've begun work on a diptych. I'll keep you posted. Thanks for checking in.

"Babs' Sunset"
5"x7"
Acrylic on fiberboard

Today I received a great email from a fellow artist and blogger. She suggested that I take Saturday's jewel, and flip it up and make a sort of abstract sunset out of it. It's a note I've gotten before from other people visiting my blog, and honestly, it's something I toyed with earlier, beginning a "Vertical Sunset" series. It's tough, I've been painting vertically for a while now, and seeing everything vertically. I'm not sure why. I'm a bit obsessed, I guess, and it's why I haven't embraced this composition much. You're right, this piece is suspiciously similar to Saturday's piece, except for the little blue square. I did want to put in a blue line, or area on this piece, but refused as it seemed happy the way it was. Besides, the gray I put into the piece comes off as having a blueish tint to it. So, this is a piece completely inspired by an email from Babs. Hence, "Babs' Sunset".

"Little Blue Square"
24"x18"
Acrylic on canvas

This is the first piece for my upcoming show I have in the fall. It's based on two jewels I've done previously. One of the pieces it's based on was referred to as "sexy" by a fellow blogger. (Yowza!) Well, I don't know if it's sexy or not, but here it is.

Untitled
5"x7"
Acrylic on fiberboard

Today's offering. The red is more prevalent than I originally intended, but I think it works pretty well nonetheless.

Study #1
5"x7"
Acrylic on fiberboard

This is a study for a commissioned piece that's stumped me for quite some time. I liked where it was headed, but I'm kind of apathetic as to where it ended up.

One Dead Tree
Acrylic on fiberboard
5"x7"

I'm back. Wow. It's been an entire month since I've posted, and I've got to tell you, I'm feeling pretty rusty. It was a trip filled with family, weddings, fishing and friendship. I'm hoping that I will continue to garner some inspiration in the coming weeks from all that I experienced. Today's jewel is based on the many dead trees I saw while up in Canada fishing. The colors evoke the many beautiful sunsets I saw, and the heat of the summer sun reflecting off the lake. We didn't see much in the way of "big ticket" wildlife, meaning, only a few moose, no bear and no wolves, so that was a disappointment. We did, however see many bald eagles, beavers and I even saw a chubby woodchuck affectionately known as Wilma.

Untitled Study
5"x7"
Mixed media on fiberboard

I tried to push the boundaries of good taste a bit with the fighting green and magenta in this one. It's not like they're side by side mind you, but they do lend a certain dynamic to the piece. I don't know what my recent fascination has been with squares. I think it's a subconscious (or is it unconscious?) need to fight my older, more "squiggly" style of painting. Or maybe I feel like I haven't gotten it right- whatever the hell that means.

Untitled
5"x7"
Acrylic on fiberboard

My cousin suggested that I do some more paintings with green in them. It's a great idea. I love the color green... big fan of blue too. I've become complacent with the warmer palette I've been using lately. Time to mix it up a bit.

As I look at the photograph of this piece now, I feel as though I've overworked it a bit. (sigh) Sh*t!

"Red Rectangle"
5"x7"
Acrylic on fiberboard

SOLD

This piece doesn't really break any new ground for me. I've been focusing on warmer colors lately, (when I've actually posted something that is). I need to work the cooler colors. I'm going to hit some greens later in the week.

Untitled
5"x7"
Acrylic on fiberboard

Overworked.

(and underpaid?)

I feel like I've painted this before. This is one of those pieces where I had something in mind for it, and it ended up looking nothing like what I had originally envisioned. For starters, it's got no brown in it. None. Yeah, this piece just lead me down a different path, and I followed. No wax. No screen.

"Square"
5"x7"
Acrylic & mixed media on fiberboard

Not entirely sold on this piece. I continue to explore the screen and texture mediums. This time, for the horizon line, I used the rubber from the screen I took apart.

Untitled
5"x7"
Mixed media on fiberboard
SOLD

This piece is top heavy. I'm o.k. with that. I'm not sure it works, but I wanted to explore new ways to look at the vertical and kind of flip the horizon on it's head a bit. I like working with the screen.

"Interference"
5"x7"
Mixed media on wood

Finally! I've killed two birds with one stone. D's been on me to do a monochromatic piece, and I've been wanting to work with some other elements, mainly, screen. After a very kind message from an artist on an earlier jewel, I checked out her blog, and saw her beautiful work. One of her pieces, "Freefall" had screen in it, and that was all I needed. I went out back, found an old screen laying around, and started messing with it. This jewel was actually finished yesterday, but it wasn't dry. I also wanted to explore the areas of bare wood, which I've done frequently in my larger pieces. I've yet to bring the dremel out on these small jewels like I do on the larger pieces. It's difficult, because I try and rock these smaller pieces a bit quicker, treating them more as studies.

Untitled
4"x6"
Acrylic on wood

Boring. Uninspired. Muddy. Just a few words describing this week's first foray into the jewels. Can you tell how excited I am by it? It could be my allergies talking, but I just wasn't groovin' on the easel today. Oh yeah, and this is the good one from today! Yeah, It wasn't for lack of effort but I can admit when I've had my ass handed to me. They can't all be winners.

"Sunshine #2"
11"x15"
Acrylic on Wood


A variation on an earlier jewel. This one's a bit larger, with more work invested in it. There is a great deal more texture work on this piece than on "Sunshine". This was a piece that stumped me for a while, before it became another "Sunshine".

"Bouncing the Blue"
5"x7"
Acrylic on Fiberboard

Why yes, it IS a new jewel. Thanks for noticing.

Wow, what a weekend. A good friend got married and I was the best man. It was fun, but exhausting. I can't imagine how tired they must be.

I went a little brighter with this one, adding the cadmium red and magenta just to bounce the blue a bit. It's a bit of a marriage between my previous two jewels.

I'm going to make a concerted effort to post more jewels until my month-long furlough in July.

Blue Rectangle
5"x7"
Acrylic on Fiberboard
SOLD

Wholly crap! What's this? A new jewel? Could it be? Yes, it is. Things the past two weeks have really picked up in the acting department; auditions, meetings, & new headshots have all prevented me from painting and posting. I found today that having been away from it for a short time gave me a fresh perspective when I sat down at the easel. Did it totally change the end result? Mmmmm, not much. It's more of a feeling I had when I approached today's jewel. We'll see if the freshness translates into anything different or worthwhile.

"Fish in a Barrel"
5"x7"
Acrylic on fiberboard

No, you're not going crazy. There is no fish, no barrel. It's just that, sometimes, rarely, I sit my butt down, paint, and it's like hair dye... wait for it... Nice 'n Easy. (groan) Anyway, today was such a day. Granted, I did most of the heavy lifting on this one last week and just added the contrast today, and the fact that it was "easy" doesn't reflect any feelings I have towards it. No judgements. Not good. Not bad. It just, is. That said, I don't hate it. I haven't broken new ground with this one, (as illustrated by 4/9's post) but it was good to get one in the ol' "Finito" column.

Untitled
4"x6"
Acrylic on wood

Hmmmmmm...

"Blue Run"
5"x7"
Acrylic on Fiberboard


There is a simplicity with this piece that pleases me.

"Sunshine"
5"x7"
Acrylic on fiberboard

I wanted to work on layering with this piece.

"Gold Horizon"
4"x6"
Acrylic on Wood

Exploring new territory here, and I'm still not sure of it. But what the hell, right? That's what this is supposed to be. I like the color combination on this one. A bit different than what I'm used to.

It's a smaller piece so, let's say $60.

Click on any of these photos for more detail in a larger photo.

Two Blue Lines
5"x7"
Acrylic on Fiberboard

Busy day today. Two appointments but I still was able to finish a jewel. Two days in a row? I went back to the "wax" on this one.

"Two Squares & Rectangle"
5"x7"
Acrylic on Fiberboard

Finally, I finished a jewel. Last week was not a productive week in the studio. They can't all be, I suppose, but last week was frustrating. It was my intention to finish two larger pieces, not huge, mind you, but bigger pieces, and it never happened. I got wrapped up in them, got close on both, and then, poof... the one I nearly finished ended up disappointing me, and the other? That one just got muddy. They're not lost causes, but a real pisser of a week, artistically speaking.

Which brings me to today's jewel.

D liked a piece I did a while back with some squares in it, and she suggested I explore that again.

Some people really suck, you know? I've just spent the last two days dealing with a scam artist. A person posing as a gallery worker wanted to buy 5 of my pieces. It was all b.s. too long of a story really to go into here, and frankly, not all that exciting, but I bring it up because it's what I've been dealing with the past two days. I haven't posted any jewels here since dealing with it, but I have been painting. I'm currently working on a bigger piece, about 12"x16", and it's called Dulce de Leche, inspired by my love of ice cream. No, really!

"Arctic Orange Shake with Magenta"
5"x7"
Acrylic on fiberboard
SOLD

Do you remember Arctic Orange shakes at Micky D's? They served them infrequently, ("For a limited time only!!!") and they kind of tasted like St. Joseph's baby aspirin with ice cream. I loved them! I named this piece well before I had finished it. I'm not sure when you're "supposed" to name a painting, but well, it was a bit early in the process when I hung that label on this. It was at a time when there was a very light orange color prevalent on the piece. The color looked just like an Arctic Orange shake. The piece then continued to evolve into what you see here, complete with the pimply areas. I didn't use the waxy medium on this one, wanting instead to actually post two paintings, back-to-back for the first time in a long time. Have a good weekend everyone. I'll see you Monday.

Untitled Abstract
5"x7"
Acrylic on fiberboard

Yes, I changed the format of my blog. It's not a big thing, but you know, that's how I roll. I'm like the man in black, Johnny Cash; I walk the line.

Anyway, I finished this piece early yesterday, but the heavy gel medium I used didn't dry completely, and so it had these opaque areas. I couldn't photograph and post it until today. Fascinating, I'm sure, but it's the truth.

Believe it or not, I don't really mind this piece. I'm pleased with the pimply areas I brought up with the culinary torch. It gives it a nice texture.

"Fractured Window"
5"x7"
Acrylic on fiberboard

This thing got a little muddy on me. Crap! What began as mild flirtation with a monochromatic green theme, ended quickly. No willpower on my part. Oh well, tomorrow is another day.

Untitled
5"x7"
Acrylic on fiberboard

Yes, not a terribly original piece for me in it's color combination or style, but it is horizontal whereas the bulk of my work seems to be vertical... and hell, I actually finished a jewel today, which is something I couldn't say for about a week or so.

Untitled
11"x14"
Acrylic on Canvas

SOLD

Well, it's about time! It's been an entire week since I posted something here. You know how it goes, life happens. I had finished this a few days ago, and put a heavy gel on it to give it some more waxy windows. I became impatient with how long it was taking for it to dry. I put it in the oven (on low, after all, I'm not THAT dumb) for a VERY short time, but still, it was too long. So, as my Dad would say, "I ended up with a pile of shit". I had to do some repair work on it, and now have finally finished it. Yes, it is considerably larger than the other jewels, so it will fetch a bigger price. If you're interested email me, or let me know in the comments.

Untitled
5"x7"
Acrylic on fiberboard
SOLD

Tough to see on this one, but I continued on my "waxy" path, trying to get those translucent areas and dreamy dark places.

Untitled
5"x7"
Acrylic on fiberboard

Started this piece on friday, but had to finish it today. I tried working more with the negative space.

Untitled
5"x7"
Acrylic on fiberboard

No name for this one. That's all right, I guess. This painting is okay. I didn't spend a lot of time on it, so for that, I'm happy, if that makes sense. These are, after all, supposed to be thumbnail sketches, or studies for larger pieces. I like the way the permanent green light and the white/putty colors work together on the right side of the piece.

On other fronts, the commissioned war-themed painting still vexes me. I feel like I may finally have it by the balls, and yet, I just can't put it away. Perhaps it's an inability or unwillingness to go to the dark places needed to do such work, but I've always had a proclivity to reside there and so, I don't think that's it. Pehaps there's just too much baggage associated with it. Perhaps I'm not a good enough artist to pull it off. I really don't know. I only know that there is a constant fear of diminishing the subject matter by my own ineptitude.

I will continue to push forward.

Untitled
5"x7"
Acrylic on fiberboard

Grrrrrrrrrrr... This piece disappoints me.

"Waxy Window"
5"x7"
Acrylic on fiberboard


Yes, a strange name. I got it from the "window" on the right side of the painting, near the orange and reddish area. I used the acrylic additive that I had been using the day before, and came up with this somewhat cloudy area. I like the effect as you are able to see the underpainting. You know me; a big fan of seeing what's going on under there.

"Breakthrough"
5"x7"
Acrylic on Fiberboard


It may not look like much, but with this piece, I've had a bit of a breakthrough. This photo is too small to see it, but with this painting, I feel one step closer to melding a few different styles of mine into one, cohesive vision. Hmmm, yes, that sounded a bit self-serving, but there, I've said it. After finishing this, I worked on a commisioned piece, took the technique a step further, and solidified it that much more. It's a technique where I blend the textured areas more seamlessly with the other, less-textured areas. I think I'll call this piece, "Breakthrough".

"Brown, Orange & Green"
5"x7"
Acrylic on fiberboard


Those are the three colors D gave me to use on today's jewel. The green is there, I just added a ton of white to it, giving it the minty freshness to combat morning breath.

Raining Light
5"x7"
Acrylic on fiberboard


I haven't really posted much this week. I'm a slug, what can I say? I ran a marathon on sunday, and, just like last year's marathon, I had horrible allergies. D thinks I caught a cold. In any event, I've been feeling like sh*t this week.

D found a photo in a magazine recently of some guy onstage in a pool of light with stuff raining down on him. She wanted me to do a painting of it, (sans guy), and so, here that experiment is. It didn't photograph very well, but I'm somewhat pleased with the end result. I think D is right, this may make a nice larger painting.

"Inside Out"
5"x7"
Acrylic on Fiberboard


The title for this jewel came from the way in which it was painted. I took a different approach, although the end result doesn't seem all that different, except for the obvious horizontal vs. vertical aspect.

Green Abstract
5"x7"
Acrylic on fiberboard

Not much to say on this one. Don't love it, don't hate it.

Untitled Abstract with Yellow & Gray
5"x7"
Acrylic on fiberboard

I'm so glad you're feeling better, Mom.

I love you.

Untitled
5"x7"
Acrylic on fiberboard

This piece doesn't photograph very well, and there's a little too much going on with it for my tastes, frankly.

I haven't done a lot of jewels lately. I've had a busy week of auditions, and I'm currently restoring a '68 bronco. It's been a labor of love that's long overdue. I'm hoping next week I'll have more time to devote to these.

Have a good weekend, everyone.

Black & White (and blue)
5"x7"
Acrylic on fiberboard

I like this concept, the color combination and the idea of black and white or "black and blue". I think I will explore this at a later time.

Vertical Sunset #2
5"x7"
Acrylic on fiberboard

No painting in my dreams last night. Hell, there wasn't much dreaming going on, period. We've got a stray cat under our place, and it's in heat. Needless to say, I'm exhausted this morning.

Another "Vertical Sunset" piece.

Vertical Sunset
5"x7"
Acrylic on fiberboard

My Dad, also an artist, saw a recent post of mine, I think it was monday's, and commented that if tipped on it's side, it looked like a lighthouse on the water. That comment inspired me to paint this one, and to name it Vertical Sunset. I don't know why, but I've been seeing all my paintings vertically lately. Sometimes, when I'm working a lot, or faced with a difficult piece, I paint in my dreams. Even in my dreams I've been seeing my work vertically.

On another note, I want to thank everyone for their comments here on my blog. You've all been so supportive and kind. The comments help me to get out of my head, they bust my butt, and inspire me to get in there to face the easel another day. Again, I thank you.

Untitled abstract
5"x7"
Acrylic on fiberboard

I thought I had something with this one...I thought that for about 38 seconds, and then, well, um, yeah. Anyway, I painted this yesterday and that's in the past.

Spot o' Green
5"x7"
Acrylic on fiberboard

I painted this piece last Friday. As far as painting goes, last week was a crappy week. Just wasn't feeling it. I wanted to paint, I tried to paint, I just wasn't too pleased with the results. Let's hope this week is better.

Untitled
5"x7", acrylic on fiberboard

This is a piece I reworked from friday. I just wasn't feeling it on friday and couldn't bring myself to post it. I've felt kind of stuck for about a week...tough to focus on the painting. It sucks, because up until that time, I really felt good about my painting, and then, inexplicably, it came to a screeching halt. Well, all I ask is that you keep your eye out for my art mojo. If you come across it, would you kindly ask it to come back home? Thanks.

Untitled Abstract with Blue and Purple
5"x7" acrylic on fiberboard

Good idea, Worm!

My niece suggested I do a piece with blue and purple, and so, on her advice, I did. I'm generally pleased with the result. The piece is, I think, a departure for me in that I didn't use earth tones to offset the cooler colors. I will use this as a study for something larger, down the line, and then, I may incorporate those earth tones. Or maybe I won't.

Untitled
5"x7" Acrylic on fiberboard

You know, I was going to call this piece "Viva Formage" or something like that. It would've been a hybrid of Viva Las Vegas and just your basic cheese. Why? Well, it's tough to see, but I used some iradescent gold on this painting, and although I like it, I couldn't help but feel a little cheesy using it.

No post today. Just too much on my plate! Between auditions, callbacks, a haircut and class, I just couldn't swing it today. I'll try tomorrow.

Untitled Abstract with Purple
5"x7" acrylic on fiberboard

This isn't ground-breaking by any stretch, but I am pleased with the discovery of a culinary torch. It's used for our forays into creme brulee, and now, paintings. Yeah, I've probably concocted some sort of toxic situation, but it didn't stink too bad. Between the palette knife and the blowtorch, I'm interested in exploring this further.

Untitled Study
5"x7" acrylic on fiberboard

So here's another attempt at that study I tried yesterday. I'm much happier with this attempt.

Untitled abstract 5"x7"

"So I was going to write something like; "This is what happens when you use a postcard painting as a study for a larger commissioned piece, then halway through the piece you get led astray and fall under it's spell, and forget the original intent, then you remember why you started the painting in the first place, and try to go back to that, but it's too late and in the process, fail miserably."

I was going to write that, but I won't.

Untitled abstract with green and magenta
5"x7"

So this is a piece I began yesterday and it didn't start off as dark as this. Not that there's anything wrong with darker paintings, but I've just tried to make a "move towards the light" as that woman said in "Poltergeist" so many years ago. "Carol Ann, there is peace and serenity in the light!" Tangent. Anyway, the piece began lighter and ended with what you see here. I worked on a commission yesterday and spent 4+ hours writing names of fallen soldiers on canvas. Needless to say, when I finished with that project for the day, I didn't feel like picking this piece up again. Until today. And there you have it.

Untitled Abstract
5"x7" acrylic on wood


Ah, the joys of glazing! Since I began working with acrylics I really hadn't done any glazing, (something I did a lot of when I was working in oils). I can't say that the technique really lends itself to the postcard paintings as I usually try to do them in an hour or so. The drying time is increased with the glazing, but it's a look I'm quite fond of.

Untitled
5"x7"' acrylic on wood

Uggggh!!!

"Green"
5"x7" acrylic on wood

Nothing really to say. I guess I'll let this speak for itself.

Untitled (vertical)
"5x7" acrylic on wood
$70

I worked a long time on this one. Well, longer than I should have. I usually try to give myself an hour to an hour and a half to do the jewels. This one just wouldn't speak to me for the longest time.

Untitled
5"x7" acrylic on wood
$70

On the way home from an audition yesterday I was inspired by a beautiful tree in front of a terra cotta colored wall. I promptly came home and painted this.

Yeah, I don't see it either. Maybe today.

Untitled
5"x7" Acrylic on wood
$70

A painting for Travis.

Untitled
Acrylic on canvas
9"x12"

This is yesterday's painting, and it's a bit bigger than the usual jewels. $140.00 takes it.

Untitled abstract with green

Acrylic on wood. $70

I really liked this one going into it, and it's all right, I guess, but damn it, I overworked it. I used a bit of an additive to give it some added texture.

Untitled
5x7 Acrylic on wood. $70

Happy Holidays everyone. This is the first jewel since Christmas, and I don't totally hate it, although it does disappoint me on some level.

It's halftime, so I guess I'll take a minute and post today's jewel. It's 5x7 acrylic on wood.
SOLD

Today's jewel. 5x7 acrylic on wood.
SOLD

Alert the media. This is one I actually, like. No, really, I do! It's the same deal, 5x7, acrylic on wood and it's $70. You know, it occurred to me that if someone's interested in this, or any other piece that's still available, and you're not a member of this blogger site, you can let me know by dropping me a line at:
jeff@jeffbowser.com
SOLD

So this is the painting I did yesterday, but, I'm posting this morning. It's "related" to the diptych I did the day before. I'm thinking it would be a nice companion to it.
SOLD

Here's today's (and tomorrow's if I want to be that way about it) offering. It's a diptych, acrylic on wood. I actually kind of like this. Since it's a diptych it's sold as a set only, and it's $140 measuring 10"x7".
SOLD

A PAINTING THAT'S NOT MINE

This is NOT my work. I cannot take credit for this painting. This is the work of my father. Why is it on here? I don't know. I just wanted to put it on here and share some of his stuff with you. There are people in our own family who don't know that he paints, he's very private about it, and frankly, way too brutal in his assessment of his own work. The painting is oil on canvas, and it's not for sale. It's a self-portrait that Dad did after a recent bout of some physical difficulties. He's better now, but this serves as a record of where he was when he painted it. To me, this is his most personal, and revealing work. Way to go, Dad.

5x7, acrylic on wood $70 I think I overworked this one a bit, but I don't hate it.
SOLD

Yesterday's painting. With it getting dark so early these days, it's tough to get a good photo.
I'll have another later in the day.

5x7, acrylic, 70 bucks.
SOLD

Today's offering. I painted this while talking on the phone with a good friend. It was a deep conversation, and so that may or not be reflected in it. I'm going to be better about doing the paintings of the day from now on. It's been tough because of the work I've had lately, and the travel. All good reasons for my negligence on the easel, but I want to be better about it.

Acrylic, 5x7, $70

A simple, happy painting.

5x7, acrylic on wood. $70 buys you a little slice of happiness.

Sure, it's not a great photo, but then again, it's not a great painting.

I've finally sat my ass down and done another jewel. It's been a busy couple of weeks. Starting with smoked turkeys and houseguests, acting work, and travel, I may actually be able to sit down and do some painting this week. Please don't misunderstand me. This has been a great couple of weeks! One filled with friendship, love, celebration and work. I'm glad to get back to the blog, and I hope I'm faced with having to juggle it with all the good things that have gone on lately.

Finally! He's back! I finished this little gem last night, right before I went to class. 5x7, acrylic on wood, $70. It didn't start out in this style. I had intended it to be more like the last few I did, but I kept working the paint as it was wet. I'm pleased with the colors and wish to explore this combination further. I will most likely start to paint again monday, after the Thanksgiving holiday. Happy Thanksgiving everyone. See you next week.

This is the painting from yesterday. Again, I finished it too late, and was unable to get a good photo of it. I'm not sure the texture works on it. Too much. (?) and the colors border on offensive. Today's painting will be in this same vein, although I will back off on the texture. Check back later.

It's a bit late in the day to be posting this, but at least it's done. Whenever I photograph my work with anything other than natural light, the posting suffers. I was looking at an artist's work today online, and I realized how unbelievably lazy I've been in terms of my color. Today's posting takes that into account, and really, I'm going to make a concerted effort to push my palette. I'm also going to work more with texture, (I'm a big fan of texture, always have been), and with the notion of "less is more" as they say. I need to simplify things.

First things first; this is BLUE, not green. After messin' around with the photo for too long, I've given up trying to make it look blue. "You could always take another photo." True. But I'm not going to. It's Phthalo blue, and white... and orange. D's been wanting me to do something monochromatic, although I don't think she envisioned this. But then again, neither did I. 5x7 , acrylic on wood. $70. I kind of enjoyed losing myself in the small brush strokes, and not worrying about color or form. It gave me ideas for larger pieces.

I was always taught, If you can't say something nice, you shouldn't say something at all.