mixing colors

Posted on May 31st, 2009

I was working all day  on my latest graffiti work, painting, and mixing my acrylics.  I am working with a yellow again making the colors work with the rusted marked wall which is my subject matter.  The yellow is on the green side and is layered over a rust brown.  It is a interesting color to experiment with and tomorrow I’ll be working on the rusted image adding lettering and collage to the wall.  When I start putting images and colors together I am always surprised and delighted with those accidents that happen, challenging me more every time my brush hits the paper.

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painting and humidity

Posted on May 29th, 2009

One of my problems right now is humidity.  I am trying to work around the problem with a hair dryer and hopefully some sun.  I have put several photos together as my subject matter in my next graffiti painting.  The images are ropes found on the ground that I shot near the Boston waterfront.  Also colors, textures and type from a wall.  I still am searching for my signature on a wall.  I need to put together that perfect wall with my own touch in these works.  I am always looking and sometimes succeed but never know till the piece is done.

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using my photo images as subject matter

Posted on May 28th, 2009

I have been for the last few days been exploring using actual photo images in my mixed media paintings.  I have been trying different papers run through my printer.  I am looking for a more painterly type of image to these and one I can paint into also.  So far I am still searching for the right look to these photos.

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interpretations

Posted on May 22nd, 2009

I have in the last few days been blown away by  comments about my work.  When someone sees a painting or photo I have taken there is many times no tangible meaning behind the finished work.  I have had a moment when a color or object has inspired me to explore it.  There is not always a deeper meaning than that.  When others see the work they immediately have to see something real in it other than simply enjoying this feeling you get from looking at something unique.  Sometimes I wonder if people have lost their childhood innocence to see  something that can not be explained it just is….

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Trash Graffiti

Posted on May 20th, 2009

I took a picture of a spoon with a rope around it lying on the ground while in Boston down near the waterfront.  When looking at it on my computer in the studio I realized that images you find on the ground are graffiti.  We as humans discard and throwaway things all the time everywhere.  These things are not letters put on buildings or sign posts but images left by us discarded to leave their “mark” on our world.  A idea worth exploring in my work.

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ground work

Posted on May 18th, 2009

I have my newest canvas primed to go and will start with carving out the foamcore in a area I wish to put my center of interest.  I will be working with numbers and letters done on a wall in yellows and greens.  Metal pieces set to go in the composition also but this time will be more scattered through the composition.  I am working toward more of a abstract work this time with less visible recognizable objects in it.  Photo I have taken that this piece will be based on posted soon.

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inspiration for my paintings from my photos

Posted on May 17th, 2009

I feel after conducting my mixed media workshop that people are curious to see how I develop my ideas for my works.  I get a lot of my inspiration through the lens of my Pentax camera.  I being a graduate of RIT in Rochester took many a film and photo class and was surrounded by many wonderful photographers.  The colors, shapes, and compositions for my work often come from the lens of my camera.  I will at the beginning of next week begin to post the photo that has inspired me along with the mixed media work.

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taking composition photos

Posted on May 13th, 2009

I love photography and taking pictures.  If I did not love laying paint down on canvas more I believe I would be a photographer.  The latest photos I took in Boston, the colors and patterns are my inspiration for my series of works on graffiti.  I will add my own lettering to the patterns creating a field of color and type all my own.  Yellow and greens seem to call out to me from my photos.

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workshop at Art Dialogue Gallery Sat. May 16th 2009

Posted on May 12th, 2009

I will have a workshop to show and explain my painting process on May 16th 2009 from 10am- 2pm at the Art Dialogue gallery One Linwood Ave. Buffalo.  I will be showing my photo transfer process, wax, and hydrocal techniques.  The class will then produce a 8 x 10 inch collage with what I have shown using their own subject matter.  Call the gallery at  716-885-2251 to join us $35 a person fee.

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studio work today monday

Posted on May 11th, 2009

I am in the studio starting to work on a work with copper instead of aluminum.  I tried a piece of copper in a acid bath for a week and got a surface with a different looking surface than the aluminum.  It has a much more worn look and not as deformed as aluminum.  I will be working on a 30″ x 30″ painting for a friend who lives in California.  My next work to do with NYC will be started also adding to my new graffiti series.

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