When it is sunny and dry out, I will be taking new pictures. It is such a chore photographing artwork. I find that if I go outside I get less glare and reflection. I also need to take the time to level out everything so I don't get forced perspective.

This one is a dreamscape. I paint from my dreams frequently. Everyone calls it "the boob one".

I've had these sitting for a while...they didn't seem finished to me. I added the tricycle and then decided on the French phrases. I like that they are depressing. Sort of un-motivational posters.
For those of you that don't speak French (neither do I) This one says "Leave me Alone" and the one with the tricycle says "Can you help me?"

Cheshire Cat 36 x 48 Acrylic on Canvas

Day 6 or 7 I think. Cheshire Cat continues.

I am still not finished. I was really hoping to be done with this one. I think the next piece I start will be much smaller, much much smaller.
I do like where it is going. It's becoming very close to the image I had in my head. I messed up the whiskers, tried to do them too late at night, the lines are too thick. I think I will be able to fix them but that's my last thing, I still have screaming flowers and paint splotched leaves to finish up.

Here's the Vampire Bat in 19th Century clothing. I didn't remember that I had a picture of it. He's living in Pasadena now. Asked to paint him by a bat enthusiast. I'll consider any request. It's a small one, 8 x 11 framed, if I recall correctly.

The detail is hard to get in a wide photo. That's one of my strengths, detail, though it can be a little mind numbing (maybe I need that). Each leaf is a several layer process.
I see the appeal of digital medium. I taught my self photoshop and can do a pretty good job with it, but it's not the same as real paint, it never will be. I either look at it as a completely different Art or cheating. I think there is something that time and physical skill gives a piece that a computer can not. Maybe not as philosophical as Soul....but maybe that is what I mean.
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This is probably my half way mark on Cheshire Cat, maybe less.

Here's the smaller 36x24 companion to Requiem in Green. I call it Hallelujah in Green. I finished it a few months back. So I haven't been totally blocked....Kinda tired of this style, it's tedious. I think these "stained glass" types are pretty, folks seem to like them but man that's a lot of work for just pretty.
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Okay so I just read over my last post, basically the same thing I wrote today...I seem to have a pattern, one abstract tedious piece in Winter and then more prolific in Spring. Good to know, I like self awareness.

Cheshire Cat
This is another that began as a background piece for BigLoser. I started with a full drawing of the cat for scale and placement, then removed the areas that have disappeared. Next is color blocking and detail on the cat. I darkened the tree and decided it would be a Queen of hearts rose tree, more on that later. Back to Paint.

So it's March, Spring is trying to come. I haven't kept up with this blog or any painting in a long time. Since my last posting...I nearly died. Dramatic enough? It's true, I was in the hospital blah blah blah...but I DIDN'T die. And for a while I was in poor me mode, which is never a good color, purple suits me better.
I decided I need to refocus my life back to what matters, most importantly my ART.

So here is the beginning of Cheshire Cat. I decided that would be a good place to start. I have spoke of "Wonderland" Inspiration before. This one has been in my head for a while, it's time to put it on canvas. And while I work on it, I can start planning my next piece, getting a portfolio of work I am proud of and not ashamed to show anyone, I need to get a gallery show and join the local Art fairs. And start going to the gym but thats another story.