The Gift of Farewell (Visuals of 2017)

On the eve of every new year, I paint.  Tucked away in my private corner of the world, it is where and how I account for the past twelve months.  My painting tools form a rare, but dependable company.  Pressing the medium until it crumbles at my fingertips or moving paint across thirty-six inches of substrate has become a coping mechanism for the parts of life that overwhelm.

Prior to the clock striking midnight, I already am in bed with the lights out, staring into a grand, intangible nothingness I call shelter.  As sleep meets me, I hear the fireworks in the distance.  I imagine explosive displays of neon color filling the night sky and I linger with my thoughts for a moment more. 

As 2018 taps my shoulder, there are some things I admit I have not managed to overcome quite yet, but so speaks process.  Learning to let go and accept hard truths; understanding the human condition and its fight to hold on to non-truths.  We are softened by experiences, made tough by them as well.  I do not believe in resolutions, only the inner resolve to be better and kinder to one another, and to ourselves.  This is what the whole of 2017 taught me. 

Camping at Anza Borrego (February 2017)

 

A Painter, A Passing Cyclist, An Acquisition in the Presidio (April 2017)

The View from the Smith River; Camping Solo in Jedediah Smith (May 2017)

Alone on top of Cascade Siskiyou National Monument (May 2017)

Chasing Totality - Three Days in Oregon (August 2017)

 Sharing Cy Twombly (August 2017)

Stanislaus National Forest/Eastern Sierra/Yosemite Valley (October 2017)

 Waking up to 33 at Mono Lake (October 2017)

An Early Morning of Painting at Mono Lake (October 2017)

 Yosemite (November 2017)

Autumn Camp in Upper Pines (November 2017)

 . . .

Mid-September WIP

(from yesterday)

(from today)

In the past few days, I laid down strokes and gave this piece a sense of direction in terms of composition and color . . . Curious to see where this one is going. 

That, and I'm taking cues from nature and Cy Twombly. 

What a pair.

She Paints

(Aspect 2, close-up)

(Aspect 1)

Work in progress . . .

oil and charcoal on canvas, 40" x 60" 

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As I keep a steadfast hand on this new set of paintings for 2016, I am encouraging myself to return to former habits--habits of old, habits of significance.  Most importantly though, it is a raw return to the discipline. 

(These images were taken yesterday; painting has evolved since then.  More WIP photos to come.)

A Labor of Love

Current state of affairs . . .

Tracing Lines, Pt ii

(work in progress)

2015, mixed media on paper

26" x 40"

Many thoughts searching and reaching, but too many words trapped.  I paint.  And I paint feverishly.  An intermittent pain tracing lines from time past, from the hour present.  Red and swollen, but clear.   My eyes are clear.

-September Entry

A Revisit, A Redo

07-03-15 EDIT: Painting is complete.

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original post:

 (new title TBD; work in progress)

One year ago, I finished Release (see below image).  At the time, I felt the painting was at a place of completion with regard to the vision I had and the person who I was then.  In January, I began to revisit areas of the piece, which resulted in a slow process of redirection throughout the past three months.  Finally (dare I say it), the painting reflects more of who I am today than who I was twelve months prior.  There is a couple of spots I still need to finesse, but I expect to lay down the finishing touches by month's end.

Formerly Release (2014, oil on canvas, 40" x 50"):

Getting Close

(work in progress)

Still working . . .

Coal Black

Long time coming . . . a glimpse at the new series.  Working on Strathmore's Artagain drawing paper in Coal Black (dimensions are 19" x 25").  Gradually getting used to the tooth of the paper . . . quite hopeful for it.

(Bonus points for those who are familiar with the reference images from where I am sourcing my inspiration.)

The Unseen

Work in progress . . .
Soft pastel, gouache, and charcoal on paper.
18" x 24"

WIP Glimpse

(work in progress)

2014, oil on canvas

40" x 40"

With all of the different changes occurring in my life, I am grateful (and beyond humbled) for the gift of art-making.  The act of painting simultaneously sets my heart ablaze and at ease.  Creating expressive imagery on physical surfaces is my permanence in this temporal place.  

I paint with the sole intention to touch and elevate the lives with whom my work crosses paths.  My commitment is to God and to this purpose for which He has kept me earthbound.  And so I paint for no other reason than to connect people with art that rests on the rawness of emotion, honesty, and truth.