Digital prints of masks

I have carved a series of wooden masks, below are examples of a few. On September 16th I posted a lot of them on my other blog in case you'd like to see more.




Above is one of the acrylic painting done based on the masks. My intention was to exhibit the carvings and paintings together.


I do a lot of experimentation on the computer and decided to create a few masks digitally.










It was a fun project as I am always amazed at what can be created using this amazing medium. If you'd like to see more of my acrylic mask paintings they will be posted on my other blog tomorrow.

Starting another painting

Here are three new compositions of abstract figure studies for my new painting series which were created on the computer.






I decided to do a painting based on the above sketch, I like the color as well as the composition.


Again, I begin by doing a simple, basic drawing on the canvas using a #7 cool grey Design Art marker pen.


On the 30 x 30" canvas I brush in the background with acrylic paint. The drawing shows through enough for me to be able to see the shapes. On the next post I will show the progression of the painting.

DECONSTRUCTED NUDE finished

This is the eighth in my new series of acrylic paintings based on studies done on the computer. Here I'm continuing working on this painting that I started in the previous post. At this point I am adding the yellow color which I have toned down considerably from my original sketch that's taped alongside my painting.


I changed the grey tone at the top of the painting and added the two lighter rectangular shapes in the lower section.


After a few hours of changing color tones and adding more shapes the painting is finished and ready to drop off at the Craig Smith Gallery in Harbert, Michigan. If you are ever in the area, drop by to see Craig's gallery, it's a great place with 4000 square feet of space with lots of great art. Chicagoans often visit the gallery and also come to Craig's frequent parties, he's located only 78 miles from the Windy City. Many Chicago residents have second homes in Harbor Country and spend weekends here. Lots of good dining is also available in this particular area.

Starting another painting in my new series based on computer sketches

With my computer sketch taped to my drawing board I use a proportion wheel to scale up my image on the blank canvas. I do the drawing with a Design Art Marker. Incidentally, the canvas is 30 x 30 inches.


Then I begin painting by brushing a coat of acrylic paint on the canvas. I've decided to change the color and make the background a brighter orange. I often change colors from the sketch during the painting process. I haven't lost my basic drawing as when the paint dries it still shows through. In the lower left corner of the photo you can see my cat Laura lounging nearby in a small basket.


Here is a closeup of laura, she is always around while I'm working as are Jpeg and Tiff.


After the background is dry I start to block in some of the color areas. I've decided to mute the tone on the yellow shapes. This will probably take three or four days to complete if everything goes well. If I get stuck on how to proceed I often stop working and start a new painting. At a certain point I find that it's a good idea to get away from a painting, then I usually come back to it with a fresh viewpoint. In the next posts I'll show how I progress on this piece.

Poster for my gallery

Here is the finished painting that I was working on in the last post. That's Jpeg sitting in the foreground.


This is a closeup of the painting that was based on an image that was created on the computer. Craig Smith, my gallery owner asked me to design a poster for his next party which will feature some of my new paintings.


I took a photo of some wine bottles and after outlining them I superimposed the image over my painting.


Then I added the type and finished the poster.


I did an alternate poster in case Craig didn't care for the first one. Here I used a different painting which also works quite well.

Here is the entrance to my upstairs studio. That's Tiff sitting on the stairs and Jpeg is lounging on the beam above. Laura is upstairs sleeping in my studio.

New painting based on digital study

I have finished six paintings in my new series which are based on digital sketches.


Here are a few sketches done on the computer that I plan to use as a basis for large scale acrylic paintings. The lower right image interested me as I felt it would make an interesting painting.


This is going to be a big one, 48 x 48 inches. I'm not just sure how I'll deliver it to the gallery as it'll never fit in my car. I'll have to find someone with a van. I begin by drawing the image on the canvas with a marker pen. Sometimes I project the image on the canvas with a Beseler projector, a machine which I used frequently when I was doing commercial illustrations.


I then start to paint in various areas knowing that I probably will change many of the colors and values later as I progress.


The background color is too orange at this stage, but it will make a good undertone for the color that I will use later. At this stage it's a bit hard to tell what the color values should be, it will be much easier as I cover the canvas with tones.


I changed the background color which now seems to work better and the other colors and values are working quite well, although I still have a long way to go. If you look carefully in the background you'll spot Laura lounging in a cardboard box. My cats usually are in the studio with me when I am working.


Here's a close up of Laura in case you couldn't see her in the last photo.


Jpeg was up on the beam where she can easily watch me, she loves it up there.


Tiff was where he usually is, on my computer chair having a good snooze.

More oddball photos

I lived in Valparaiso, Indiana for about four years and pictured here are some of the barn cats that I used to feed, there were about eight of them. I like the composition of this photo.


I tried to photograph a cat sitting on this fence, but just missed him. Here you see only his tail as he took off. However, it does make an interesting photograph.


An interesting shot of a train station, I can't remember where the photo was taken, probably in France.


I like taking photos of signs.


I like this photo because it includes my shadow, creating am odd image.


Here's a close up of the same building, I also like the composition of this photo.