"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!