New Painting, New Gallery

Chasing the Gypsy
Acrylic on Canvas
16x20"

My little world is expanding. As of next week, my work will also be at the TAG Art Gallery in downtown St. Catherines, Ontario.

A little different

"Quiet Nights"
Acrylic on Canvas
16x20"

This piece I painted over an old painting that I didn't like. I had used molding paste to give it some texture, and since that was the only part of the original that I liked, I just painted over it without sanding it down or smoothing it out in any way. It's hard to tell in the photo, but there is a lot going on here.

Here's a close up of one area to show the texture. I quite like the way it worked out... I'm thinking there could be lots of ways to use this to emphasize areas or add in some interest without needing much else. It's definitely something I'll be experimenting with in the future.

Getting back to work

So, what now? I've had the "Escaping" show opening and it's still hanging, managed to sell a couple and even had a photo in the paper. I took a bit of time to unwind and clean up... you would not believe the mess my studio was in. I got a cold that knocked me down for a bit, but some sleep and a couple days off took care of that. Then I decided to get back to work. But apparently, I wasn't ready for that. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING, was working. I painted a canvas. I painted over it. And I painted over it again. I started another one, and then painted over that one. Everything looked awful. Kinda hard to take, after the last few months of having everything just flow. Well, I suppose that's how it goes... everyone has good and bad days, but too many bad ones in a row can really shake your confidence. I was beginning to wonder if that was it... maybe that was all I had in me, and now that it's done... well, I was done.

I've been down this road before. It's difficult. I usually just stop for a while, thinking it will get better. That hasn't worked for me. Last time I stopped it was nearly 2 years before I got back to it. So i've decided to persevere. Just keep going, and eventually, something will happen. This week I went back to an older photo that is very similar to one I've worked with before. The lines are simple and shapes clear, and I figured even if the painting ended up resembling the last one, I could live with that... as long as I didn't hate it.  Here's what I came up with:

"Syncopate"
Acrylic on Canvas, 16x20"

While it is similar to the other one, it has a different feel altogether. I make my colour choices intuitively and without any advance planning, depending on my mood. My choice of music also definitely makes a difference. For this one I was listening to James Carter, a recent discovery for me that I absolutely love. I've been listening to "Chasing the Gypsy" continually for the better part of the week.

I've started a couple other musician paintings, but I'm really feeling that this series is coming close to an end. Maybe it's time for me to move on, do some exploration and find the next thing.

And maybe I should start on that Sketchbook Project I signed up for in April. I got my book in the mail and put it on the shelf, and haven't looked at it since. This might be the perfect opportunity.

Escaping: A Group Show at the AGL

My painting made the paper!

The show that I have been working towards for the last couple months has finally opened at the Art Gallery of Lambeth. When I dropped off all my work a couple weeks ago, I have to admit I was just a tiny bit concerned... they were doing renovations and the place was a disaster zone. I shouldn't have worried. They managed to get it all pulled together in time and the place looked fantastic.

I like what they've done there. They opened up the entire back section to make room for some new, bigger classes, and they've put in a counter so the desk, computer and big sinks are partially hidden from view. This will double as a bar during openings and private viewings, when they will be serving food and wine.

I think the evening was pretty successful, even though it was held on the Friday of the Thanksgiving long weekend. They maybe would have had a better turnout if it was next weekend, but there were still a fair number of art lovers who showed up to see the new works. And some of the new work is really beautiful. If I could afford it (and if I had the wall space), there were a few things I would have loved to bring home with me.

The wall with my paintings. You can see my two little bird paintings on the side wall.
There was a real photographer there so I'm hoping he got some better shots...
these don't look great, but you get the idea.

The long wall filled with all new work

Enjoying the ambience

A musician adds to the atmosphere