"100 Faces, No. 25"

4 x 4"
oil on masonite
sold

After I got about 3/4 done on this painting, I turned off the reference photo and proceeded - something I frequently do when I'm at a point of boredom. It's a good habit - I do think it improves your intuition.

"100 Faces, No. 20"

4 x 4"
oil on masonite
sold

"Green Tee"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

I'm back in my hut again. There was a painting marathon of about three weeks, then a quick decision made to join my old high school friends for a mini-reunion of sorts - drove to Chicago with my favorite pillows, did that, went into the city for about five hours and drove back to Atlanta. Call me crazy, but it's good for me to take a break like that.

Now back to work with a quick, loose piece to get warmed up - a young man I spotted on a bench in the Art Institute of Chicago.

"Abstract Thought"

14 x 6"
sold

I'm not a great fan of abstract expressionism, with an exception to Franz Kline's work - which seems to have a hold on me when I find myself in a room with his paintings. I think they're handsome mostly - easy to digest. And I've longed to include one in my own painting.

I can't say this one came easy for me - I knew what I wanted - a somewhat graphic, stark quality using the least of color and mostly enjoying the warm/cool whites and blacks. I spent a long day on the first attempt, only to deem it a failure. It wasn't what I had envisioned. It sat beside me for weeks - untouched - and one day I picked it up and started over - this time without a preconceived vision. And it worked. Lesson learned.

I think my favorite features are the three elements - the Kline painting, because I got to play with subtle, jazzy edges of colors on the black shapes ....



... the figure, for it's stark black areas and multi-whites marrying with the Kline.....



....and that far-right, abstract shape - an area I was so sure should be filled with more details, until I realized it wasn't necessary.

Please click here for a larger view.

"Taking Leave"

8 x 10"

oil on masonite

sold

It's been a cloudy, cool and mellow day out here in my studio and I painted this new piece, which I really like. These young, asian women are viewing Barent Fabritius's painting "Hagar & Ishmael Taking Leave of Abraham" - which hangs in the Legion of Honor in San Francisco. I was so struck by the womens' long coats, especially the colors - one being a warm gray, the other a wine. I do not know what particular religion or nationality their attire is connected to - perhaps someone would let me know.