I’ve been looking at doing more oil paintings in the near future and getting some more representational artwork out into the open.  It is absolutely the opposite of the abstract stuff that I’ve produced over the last four years.  In particular, I am being drawn back to landscape painting and classical still life paintings.

I think this has been a revelation that has happened in two parts.

Part One

Last week, my wife and I went to the Columbus Museum of Art where I spent some time gazing at a painting done by one of my favorite artists,  Albert Bierstadt.

Part Two

I watched the movie, Local Color.  If you haven’t seen it, then it’s like “Finding Forrestor” for artists.  Younger aspirant meets master who wants to be left alone.  The two become friends and the aspirant finds his voice with his paintbrush.  It’s a pretty cool story (but I will admit it has it’s share of language issues).

So, this week, I’ve spent time relearning all the things I used to know about oil painting so I can put them into practice here in the next few days.  In a sense, rediscovering a lost love of painting.

I am still debating if the painting is finished or not.

My “Reach for Light” iphone (actually I use an ipod touch) drawing was featured at Just iPhone Art today. It’s weird, though since I only started doing iphone art using the iphone app, “brushes” just about two weeks ago. To be featured among some of the other amazing artists there is pretty cool. If anything, I have been using “brushes” as a means to play with conceptual pieces without really dragging around my laptop and wacom tablet. Besides, it fits better in my pocket and I don’t take up four seats at the coffee shop with just an ipod either.

Thanks for the feature Patrick.

I drew this for my wonderful wife. Her favorite tree is a pine tree. As of today we have been together for five years since we first started dating.

If you want to buy it, it’s available here.

The closer to the foreground I get, the brush will decrease in size and the thickness of the paint will become more pronounced. I don’t want to give away the final painting yet, but this will not be an abstract like I was originally planning.  I need to bring in some income with this one, so it is something new that I have been researching.  I see this painting enfolding in my head unlike any painting I’ve ever done before.  I am really excited about it. I know it doesn’t look like too much yet, but I’ll keep updating with each layer so you can see the progress.

The white portion at the bottom in layer 1 was more texture than actual color to make the thinner paints near the bottom equal the same depth and texture as the thicker black and reds at the top.  This is why I used two layers for this part of the background.

Layer 1

Layer 2

The first image is the whole painting sketch.

Then after, we have different close-ups of some of the elements.

You question the inspiration.  Maybe you saw it somewhere and this is only a half-hearted attempt at creating something far inferior to the image that burned it’s way into your subconscious.  Maybe it’s too over the top.  Does it even fit the greater context of the style that I’ve come to be known for?

I’ve had questions like these at times when I’ve sat down to work on a new art project.  Granted, it’s not usually if it fits the style I’ve come to be known for.  I’m a realist, turned abstract expressionist who cartoons occasionally when I decide to do more than just write.  But I still doubt the Inspiration of any piece halfway through.  Usually right at the beginning.  I’ve laid down a brush more times than I can remember because I suddenly felt very cautious of the work.  I’ve shied away from showing most of my work on my website because I feel it doesn’t live up to what I saw in my head.

I’ve come to a startling conclusion.  I’m not sure you can win at creating your own work if you are not able to have the courage to share it regardless of the outcome, the ridicule or the praise that a work brings when it is indeed created from within yourself.  In this artists are called to a different vulnerable position that many others fail to grasp.  Of stepping out on stage and not being afraid to sing loud and clear to the best of our abilities.  To make big bold brushstrokes that capture the heart of what you feel the work should convey.  That’s the courage we need as Artists.

Using Lively, I’ve decided to put together a virtual art gallery of work currently for sale.  All you have to do to get your work in the gallery is send a picture of your work, and a URL where someone can buy your work.

that’s it. 

email it to me at decloned@gmail.com

I made this little collage of some of my favorite detail parts of my latest abstract painting.   I think I like this collage better than the painting itself.