In Your Own Sweet Way

In Your Own Sweet Way
24x30" Acrylic on Canvas

I love jazz guitar. My son has started playing, which could be part of it, but I had already explored a bit  before he ventured into the world of jazz. "In Your Own Sweet Way" is a piece of music done by many musicians, but the one that caught me was by Joe Pass, on the recording "Chops". 

Around Christmas I went to an art opening where London guitarist, David Jolly, was playing, and he was kind enough to let me take some photos while he played. I'm sure this is just the first of the paintings I'll do using the photos from that evening. He seemed completely comfortable with me walking around him taking pictures while he played, so I took a lot. 

I've got a few months before the festivals start up again, so I'm going through last years pile of pics, along with video stills from some DVDs I got from the library, and trying to see what I can come up with. I've got a few pieces started.... but I still haven't begun the huge 4x6 foot canvas I have sitting here. Something that big is a bit intimidating. It's been many years since I've painted really large. I think Ill need a good chunk of time for that one. When a piece hits the ugly stage, and they all do, it seems to last longer the bigger it is. I have to be mentally prepared for that.

Serenity

Serenity
18x18" Acrylic on Canvas

Miniatures

In preparing for this show at the theatre, I neglected to look at my upcoming commitments for the galleries I was already a part of. At the last minute, and after repeated reminders, I pulled out a couple miniature paintings I had done last year and submitted them to the Art Gallery of Lambeth's juried miniature show. The opening was this past weekend. Good turnout, as always, and quite a few pieces sold, one of which was mine. For an added bonus, I got an honourable mention (and a lovely ribbon). The juror was Madeline Lennon, an Art History professor from Western University. That was a lovely surprise.

"Syncopate II"
Mixed Media on paper

The Brass

The Brass
24x36" Acrylic on Canvas

I'm a sucker for a band with a horn section. I'll watch them for hours. Could be blues, jazz or swing, right down to a ska band... I love them all.