portraits

I finished this double portrait and then started a fun one. I was on a roll and had massive painting energy and decided to make something out of an old painting that no one liked... first I attacked it with spraypaint and then thick, sticky white housepaint that wouldn't spread. I really like the effect-- and of course it looked weathered and old -- so I'm working on an old photograph of the person I live with and his late father for the hall that shows through the dining room. I've never painted something for a place in a house -- but since the canvas was already wasted -- why not :) I'm really excited about the decorative look of it -- and the size. I probably would have never painted something like this on this scale (42" x 40") if it weren't for the recycling...

nothing new finished....

here's the portrait I've been doing and a new painting behind it. I clearly need to focus and force myself to spend more time working.... self imposed deadlines maybe :)

Happy almost thanksgiving and I hope everyone is well

Richard Serra with Tisa

Tisa was down the other weekend and I was running around with her while she was working on a video... one of our stops was this Serra at South Coast Plaza.

It's a tower made from slightly curved rectangles -- the top is open in a pentagon-type shape. Sound inside is magnified and sent out the top like an amplifier. Even the tiniest sounds are made huge when you're standing inside.



One shot to show height, the other to show the metal better :)

going where you go

Remember me talking about trying to paint objects instead of people? Ha... its weird the strange ideas we get. How we try to steer ourselves away from what is naturally flowing out of us. I tried one painting and it died. Now I'm back to my old ways... pic soon. It's still just a drawing. It's important to follow your instincts even if the little voices say that what you're doing won't work...or in my case, fears that my work is too personal and others can't relate to it.

Yeah I'm a bit lost as to where I'm going...but just going to keep painting.

This was my creation for last night's festivities. I made this in a parking lot on the way to the party. :) Amazing creativity here! 

in between

Working on a portrait in between paintings. I'm thinking of trying to do it as a side thing in addition to teaching and making my own paintings. This one is just relaxing craft -- Tru's mother who passed away 16 years ago and a family friend -- going to give it to his grandma. I really do enjoy doing portraits but of course want to mess them up and can't....

finished first painting in new studio

feels good. You know there's always that worry that you'll be unsettled forever.....

Advice

I'm thinking about volunteering to write for a blog that documents the downtown LA artwalk.... should be cake for me and will force me to get down there and actually talk to people.

But is that a good investment of my time? And I would need a sub the first thursday of every month and lose out on pay.........

opinions pls --    :)

impatience might lead to creative solution

so I used gesso as a glue to stick peelings of paint onto some doves I painted. I realize that there is a 90% chance that these things are just going to peel off -- but since I don't normally work with forethought enough to do it right the first time, I'm curious to see what I come up with to keep them on... sewing? epoxy? massive sealant job over the whole canvas? or will what happens after they fall off be a whole new mess of interesting... fingers crossed....

Comments

I just set it up that we are emailed when someone posts a comment. I hope that a good adjustment :)

Dearest Tisa

This is a place for us to share what we're working on because it was great having a studio together-- and because now we're all working alone in our separate worlds.

We were in the studio alone, and with one or the other -- or all three. Imagine this blog as three corners that we can come and view any time. 

It's much easier for me to see your images here rather than on my phone but if you would like to not participate, we'll be sad for sure..........

(random dog drawing is for a laugh btw)

Old Beginnings

This is where we use to play.

still working on the same painting

but i have a few ideas for two new ones -- just have to get the canvases ready. They will be smaller -- and of inanimate objects. Maybe those will be easier to let go of?

and yes that's the photo stuck to it.... :) I'm liking this one because there isn't a clear face -- which makes it not so much of a 'portrait' -- hopefully leaving some openness in. I think the only other one that's similar is the yellow dress painting -- my first one. There's no head :)

its good to be back together again:)

I will  be tweaking our layout to make it wider so that we can see our images better. Ha... off to work......................