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.

Here's one I am currently involved with. Very early in it's conception.

Ramble and Whine or Just Paint...

I haven't posted anything in a while. I haven't really worked on anything new in a quite a while either. I am thinking about a new piece, another "Wonderland" (probably my last of that subject) but I haven't even gotten the paints out to start it.

I haven't painted anything all winter (which is finally over). In California, I painted almost everyday, outside on my balcony. Here in Missouri, that's not possible. I don't want to sound all hippie dippy but I need sunshine. I am not sure if I get seasonal depression or what, I just don't feel very creative. I draw a little. Just to practice, but nothing comes out. Of course, now that it is Spring, if I don't produce I will need a new excuse.

I did do a drawing for my brother, something he was or is writing. A boy and his dog tale. Just a sketch...

I did do "Requiem in Green"... I forgot about that one. I have a second in that style(that I haven't finished) so I haven't been totally dry. I should get off the computer and paint...

Tea Party

Line drawing and then acrylic paint.

Closet Monster

Ordinary Tornadoes

Little Man

Royal Animals Court Portrait

The elephant was not supposed to be in the shot. Pachyderms do not make great assistants.

Roxy

It's Peacocky!

Originally, this was part of the group of paintings I made for Biggest Loser. When I got them back, I worked more on this one. I didn't get a lot of time to work on them for the show. They never get "featured" but appear in background shots. They don't need to be that detailed for that. Some of that group I paint completely over. I liked the color of this one so I finished it. Requiem in Green 4'x3' Acrylic on Canvas.

I use metallic paint sparingly. I often think it cheapens a painting but here I liked the way it reflects light, hinting not so subtly at stained glass.

I really love "Alice in Wonderland"

This one is my latest "Alice in Wonderland" themed piece. And at 3' x 4' the biggest. I would like to publish my own version of Alice one day. It has allways been my favorite story.

Rabbit Hole is acrylic on canvas. I almost always use acrylic. The drying speed suits me best.

I have never really tried oils. I would like to experiment with them but I doubt oil will ever be my favored medium.

That's probably why I would be considered an Illustrator more than a Fine Artist. That's fine by me, most of my favorite artists are Illustrators. I am not terribly interested in the Upper Class Art Scene, my paintings are more Populist than that. My roots are blue collar Mid West, as much as I would like to imagine a gallery show with people dressed in black, sipping champagne and discovering the hidden meaning of my work. Sometimes it's just a painting of a Gorilla in a Costume.

Pink Snake

I also have Queen Elizabeth as a Bunny.

Henry the Ape really doesn't need much explanation. I had a dream that I needed to paint a gorilla dressed as Henry the 8Th, so I did.

He lead to several other Costumed Animal paintings. My background in Theatre, specifically costuming, comes in handy with these.

I had several of my paintings for sale at my Esty.com store.(I haven't updated my store) It was through Etsy that I was contacted by a Bat Enthusiast to create some bats in costume. Fruit Bat in 18Th Century Clothing is one of two that she purchased. The other Vampire Bat in 19Th Century Clothing is too dark to post. These are both about 9.5 x 7.5.