A Recently Completed Painting.

Effigy Mound. 30 X 17, gouache on paper, 2014.

I like to keep things scary by working up to the ABSOLUTE final moment possible.  Why oh why do I work better under pressure?  Such a curse, such a damn curse. 

This is the final piece for my show, Iowa Dirt (thanks for photographing it, Teresa!).  I finished, photographed, matted, framed, and packaged it yesterday.  I will be shipping it to South Dakota in a couple hours and I couldn't be happier.  Yay!  Complete, I feel so giddy.

New Painting.

The Peace Tree. 24 X 16, gouache on paper, 2013.

New Painting!

"Chimney Lagoon." gouache on paper, 19 X 19, 2013.

This painting was truly a labor of love.  It was not an easy-breezy painting, seeing as I challenged myself to work in a new format...square with little white space surrounding the image.  I feel like I succeeded.  There were times when I wanted to die, times when I wanted to throw my paintbrushes into the garbage disposal and chug a bottle of Makers Mark...but I didn't.  I harnessed my chi, focused, and look what popped out of me...a painting.

I am chuffed.

A Painting in Progress.

a detail of the painting. mmmmm, crayfish.

19 X 19, gouache on paper. 

I'm trying something new and I'm NERVOUS. My paintings utilize a large amount of white space...this one will not. I'm trying to create flattened depth. Whoa. It'll work out. I'll pull out some of my hair and keep on keeping on.

A Cropped Image of a New Painting.

smashed penny from greenmama!  thanks, Carmers!

It was a busy weekend but I managed to get a lot of painting done.  I've cropped this image to let the painting remain mysterious.  I still want the magic to be there for it's real unveiling in a week.  If I finish it, that is.  Damn holidays.

A New Photo of an Older Painting.

Woot Woot.  Not to be repetitive...but I love professional photographers.  

A New Photo of a Painting from a Few Months Ago.

 

A new photo of a previously photographed painting.  I LOVE MY PHOTOGRAPHER!!!

A New Photo of a Past Painting.

Hey, guys.  I posted this painting awhile ago but the new photograph looks so NICE that I thought I'd post it twice.  I'm so happy with my photographer, Alan Adams (In Oskaloosa, Iowa), I could dance.

New Painting.

"Marysville." approx. 22 X 18, gouache on paper, 2012.

New Painting.

"untitled (as of today), approx 15 X 20, gouache on paper, 2012.

As promised, here is one of the pieces I've recently completed.  I haven't decided if it needs further cropping but I'm leaning towards yes. 

Studio Time.

I'm almost finished with my 6th piece in the new body of work.  I feel like I need to pat myself on the back for ten minutes and give myself a hug.  It's not easy to get your focus on after working a 7-4 job that requires a full day of standing.  But I'm doing it. 

I've finally found a good work routine.  I create two drawings.  I pick one and work out all the compositional kinks and get it ready to paint.  While I paint that piece I go back to the other drawing and work out it's kinks...that way I don't get too bored painting and have multiple puzzles to solve.  It's a pretty great plan, it ensures that I always have something to work on and that there isn't any lag time.

My brain hurts today.

A Finished Painting.

"Snake Nest (tentative title)." 12 X 12, gouache on paper, 2012.

A Painting in Progress.

I was able to work on my painting for several hours and I think it's coming along pretty nicely. 

A Painting in Progress.

"Snake Nest" 13X13, windsor and newton gouache, 2012.

I'm trying to work in a smaller format and it's extremely challenging.  I've painted in a 22 X 30 format (or around that size) for the last 5 years of my life.  This is a tough, tough, tough transition but it's always good to challenge oneself.  I'm thinking about making 12 of these smaller paintings and presenting them in a modified grid on the wall.  Sooooo, painting in progress, guys, not too shabby.

New Painting!

"Chupacabra, MahaskaCounty"  22X30. Windsor and Newton Gouache. 2012

Here's another painting that I've been working on.  I'm pleased with this piece as well.  It's based on my legendary chupacabra sighting from last year.