What are you working on?

[snoball]

Great sketches, Brian.
O.O, knowing your work, these will turn out wonderful.

 

[stlukesguild]

I agree with Sno, Brian. Your sketches are quite nice and fluid. They seem to point toward the possibility of a painting that strives less toward "realism" and more toward something that is simplified... and yet still quite expressive... perhaps something similar to illustration and comic books. Some may dismiss such as not worthy of "high" or "fine art"... but I'm not one of these. One of my favorite contemporary painters is Aron Wiesenfeld, who came from a background of working as a comic book illustrator. Hie paintings retain elements of "illustration"... but I find them quite marvelous:

 

[brianvds]

I agree with Sno, Brian. Your sketches are quite nice and fluid. They seem to point toward the possibility of a painting that strives less toward "realism" and more toward something that is simplified... and yet still quite expressive... perhaps something similar to illustration and comic books. Some may dismiss such as not worthy of "high" or "fine art"... but I'm not one of these. One of my favorite contemporary painters is Aron Wiesenfeld, who came from a background of working as a comic book illustrator. Hie paintings retain elements of "illustration"... but I find them quite marvelous:

Being compared with Wiesenfeld is the highest compliment I have ever received.

And yes, I am also a fan of all manner of illustration and comic books - as you may recall, I'm a huge Tintin fan and Hergé was one of my my first great art heroes, and remains so to this day.

 

[Artyczar]

Been playfully sketching, including cartoonified people...

View attachment 38508

And copies after Bruegel (who kind of did cartoons in paint!):

View attachment 38509

Brian, these are so cool!!!! Wow!

 

[Artyczar]

I thought it was funny that I have these pictures of my Italian grandfathers and both happen to be standing in this kind of mock he-man pose. So, at the beginning of December, I decided to turn them into a diptych painting. I never make sketches but I created this little layout thing (below) to get me started. The canvases are 30”w X 48”d and I’ve been working on both at the same time so that the colors are consistent and the background design overlaps. However, because they’re very stylized, they won’t end up looking realistic but I’m not going for an exact likeness anyway. Just trying to capture something like matching machismo. Or strutting and peacocking grandpops.

View attachment 38535
So I only met RAY (in the bathing suit) once, at the end of his life. He was in his 70’s and I was in my 20’s. At the time, he was living in a junky trailer, talked nonstop only about himself, and had the biggest hands I’d ever seen. They reminded me of bear paws and I suppose they came in handy from back in his old-timey football days. His family star diminished when he came out of the Navy, and promptly abandoned his wife and children, including my mom who was 6 years old at the time. The family then had to go onto welfare to make ends meet while he ran off to be with a person named Gertrude Crammer. And yes, that really was her dumb name.

However, FRANK (in the jazzy slacks) was kind and funny and I was his first spoiled grandchild. He worked as an airplane mechanic and had an easy-going, friendly way about him. I thought he was pretty funny too, like when he pushed his false teeth out of his head with his tongue. We grandkids would squeal with laughter while my grandmother yelled, “Stop it Frank…that’s disgusting!” I also remember that for some reason, he liked to eat raw hot dogs. (Yep, we’re a classy bunch.) He also had blue eyes and a nice smile and I thought he was handsome so maybe he was my first crush. I called him Poppy, and he died when I was 10.

Didn’t call the other one anything. But maybe if he had been around, he’d be a different variety of Poppy. (Hence, the poppy flowers in the background.) And I wonder if either were still alive, would they appreciate the painterly corniness oozing out of their oh-so-awesome blabbermouthy granddaughter?

Anyway now, as I make my way to the end, I’m still mulling over titles like The Poppies, Italian Poppies, or maybe I’ll simply use my favorite…Ray and Frank. I tend to usually go with THE most boring, descriptive titles ever.

Cuz it is what it is.
And they were what they were.

What an excellent idea Olive! I love this. I like the way you think of the poppies. I also love that flower. It's all over me (tattooed). Wouldn't it be funny if Italian grandfathers were too? I'm not even Italian! Ha ha ha.

 

[Terri]

I thought it was funny that I have these pictures of my Italian grandfathers and both happen to be standing in this kind of mock he-man pose. So, at the beginning of December, I decided to turn them into a diptych painting. I never make sketches but I created this little layout thing (below) to get me started. The canvases are 30”w X 48”d and I’ve been working on both at the same time so that the colors are consistent and the background design overlaps. However, because they’re very stylized, they won’t end up looking realistic but I’m not going for an exact likeness anyway. Just trying to capture something like matching machismo. Or strutting and peacocking grandpops.

View attachment 38535
So I only met RAY (in the bathing suit) once, at the end of his life. He was in his 70’s and I was in my 20’s. At the time, he was living in a junky trailer, talked nonstop only about himself, and had the biggest hands I’d ever seen. They reminded me of bear paws and I suppose they came in handy from back in his old-timey football days. His family star diminished when he came out of the Navy, and promptly abandoned his wife and children, including my mom who was 6 years old at the time. The family then had to go onto welfare to make ends meet while he ran off to be with a person named Gertrude Crammer. And yes, that really was her dumb name.

However, FRANK (in the jazzy slacks) was kind and funny and I was his first spoiled grandchild. He worked as an airplane mechanic and had an easy-going, friendly way about him. I thought he was pretty funny too, like when he pushed his false teeth out of his head with his tongue. We grandkids would squeal with laughter while my grandmother yelled, “Stop it Frank…that’s disgusting!” I also remember that for some reason, he liked to eat raw hot dogs. (Yep, we’re a classy bunch.) He also had blue eyes and a nice smile and I thought he was handsome so maybe he was my first crush. I called him Poppy, and he died when I was 10.

Didn’t call the other one anything. But maybe if he had been around, he’d be a different variety of Poppy. (Hence, the poppy flowers in the background.) And I wonder if either were still alive, would they appreciate the painterly corniness oozing out of their oh-so-awesome blabbermouthy granddaughter?

Anyway now, as I make my way to the end, I’m still mulling over titles like The Poppies, Italian Poppies, or maybe I’ll simply use my favorite…Ray and Frank. I tend to usually go with THE most boring, descriptive titles ever.

Cuz it is what it is.
And they were what they were.

What a fabulous layout - this is going to be terrific, Olive! Love your back story, the idea of the poppies, your posted palette - all of it. I love your imagination here - our family histories can be a wealth of ideas to draw on.

No matter what you decide to call it, I'm really looking forward to seeing the finished piece.

 

[Artyczar]

I've used my family histories for so many of my art pieces. You're right, Terri, about it being a wealth of inspiration.

 

[Artyczar]

I don't think I have the best pictures for the things I've been working on the last couple of days, but I'm on a few different "projects" (don't know what else to call them).

One is a long process of little embroideries for an installation in two parts. They repeat 24 times and will be tacked to the wall over and over. This one and this one (all a little different, but the same):

Each grouping will be next to each other. Of course, the pill bottles are taking longer. The pieces of fabric are only about 5 x 5 inches, but they're taking me more than 5 hours to do:

I've only done eight of those so far and about six of the others.

I also started a large 48 x 48-inch painting. I've only got the composition on it now. Excuse the terrible photos.

Then, there are two other pieces I started--just basic compositions. One is a small mixed media on a linen canvas. It's 14 x 11 inches, and there's another that will be a triptych that's rows of black stitches. That one will take a long time because it's tricky to get the stitches pulled in and out from behind the edges near the stretcher bars. That one is on raw canvas of various sizes.

I have to keep telling myself I have seven months to get all these pieces done, but time goes by faster than you think! I have more to do than this. I'm counting at least a few more in order to fill the gallery space.

 

[Terri]

I've used my family histories for so many of my art pieces. You're right, Terri, about it being a wealth of inspiration.

Sometimes good, sometimes icky, but it's what we learn we're born to. Or with. Something like that.

 

[Artyczar]

Exactly.

 

[Terri]

I don't think I have the best pictures for the things I've been working on the last couple of days, but I'm on a few different "projects" (don't know what else to call them).

One is a long process of little embroideries for an installation in two parts. They repeat 24 times and will be tacked to the wall over and over. This one and this one (all a little different, but the same):

View attachment 38593 View attachment 38594

Each grouping will be next to each other. Of course, the pill bottles are taking longer. The pieces of fabric are only about 5 x 5 inches, but they're taking me more than 5 hours to do:

View attachment 38595
I've only done eight of those so far and about six of the others.

I also started a large 48 x 48-inch painting. I've only got the composition on it now. Excuse the terrible photos.

View attachment 38598

Then, there are two other pieces I started--just basic compositions. One is a small mixed media on a linen canvas. It's 14 x 11 inches, and there's another that will be a triptych that's rows of black stitches. That one will take a long time because it's tricky to get the stitches pulled in and out from behind the edges near the stretcher bars. That one is on raw canvas of various sizes.

View attachment 38599

View attachment 38597

I have to keep telling myself I have seven months to get all these pieces done, but time goes by faster than you think! I have more to do than this. I'm counting at least a few more in order to fill the gallery space.

This looks intriguing! I love all these textures, canvas, stitching - yum!! I'll be rooting for you, but I also have confidence that you're a seasoned pro and will end up with fabulous pieces for the gallery.

 

[Artyczar]

Thank you Terri. I hope you're right!

 

[Terri]

Thank you Terri. I hope you're right!

Of course I am.

 

[john]

Good to see you all are still doing your wonderful art. I've been away for a while and it's nice to see again. I miss this cozy place of cool inspiring artists. I joined an arts council and it's big and I've met other artists there but somehow there is still no connection like there is here. It's sort of been a distraction and my social awkwardness doesn't help. Gives me a whole new kind of neurosis to deal with. Like how many stupid things can I say to people I just met? Writing posts is better. Gives me time to think.

I'm again slowly approaching a painting that I started three? years ago. in fact I think I posted it here. It's a difficult one so I've been avoiding it. But just knowing you guys are here will help me get to it.

 

[Artyczar]

Yay! John! It's so good to see you back. I've missed seeing you. I was wondering where you'd gone off to. I definitely know what social awkwardness feels like. I'd much rather type to people than speak to them in real life! But a lot of artists feel this way I think. It's good you joined a council, however. Have you benefited in other ways? Can't wait to see your wonderful art again!

 

[john]

Yay! John! It's so good to see you back. I've missed seeing you. I was wondering where you'd gone off to. I definitely know what social awkwardness feels like. I'd much rather type to people than speak to them in real life! But a lot of artists feel this way I think. It's good you joined a council, however. Have you benefited in other ways? Can't wait to see your wonderful art again!

Aww thanks Ayin. Good being back. Just needed to step away from the obsession for a while and also with warmer weather and official retirement I somehow got busier.

Yeah the council is a good thing over all. One painting got an honorable mention and two others sold (cheap) which was nice. First time selling and I know it's silly but now I feel like more like a real artist. Sold them in person at a farmer's market which was cool.

This is the painting that I'm working on now. The yellow is masking tape so I can work on the shading of the tent tops without worrying about messing up the sky. This one is a challenge.

 

[snoball]

One is a long process of little embroideries for an installation in two parts. They repeat 24 times and will be tacked to the wall over and over. This one and this one (all a little different, but the same):



I have to keep telling myself I have seven months to get all these pieces done, but time goes by faster than you think! I have more to do than this. I'm counting at least a few more in order to fill the gallery space.

Arty, your patience never ceases to amaze me! I'd be pulling my hair out!

 

[Artyczar]

Sno, I am pulling my hair out!

John, I like the one you're working on. Which ones did you sell? How are your more abstract ones coming along?

 

[john]

Sno, I am pulling my hair out!

John, I like the one you're working on. Which ones did you sell? How are your more abstract ones coming along?

Well before I talk about me I must say that the art projects you are working on are very cool. That installation of the multiple embroideries is something that might be seen in NYC gallery. It's about a concept that's beyond just pretty pictures which seems to be all they have in the galleries out further on LI. It's like all the interesting stuff goes to the city. And as Sno said ....your patience is inspirational. Art is not just inspiration it's also about the doing. Dammit.

The two that sold were these...
Country Road.....
glad I sold it because it was making me mad and I was starting to hate it, and acrylics, (it's always the medium's fault lol).....now realizing that maybe I need to start de-saturating colors. Maybe. I'm like stuck in Fauvism or something LOL. As paintings become more tonalist they seem to gain gravitas?

and this one "Diamond in the Sky with Lucy" ,really glad I sold it because it was my very first sale and it confirmed that at least one person liked something that came from my unique personal voice. If 99% of the folks think it's coo-coo but even one likes it........that's just fine by me.

The one I'm working on will have some additional elements that will make it a magic realist piece but I also keep thinking about more abstracted works like "Lucy" above. But I've told myself that I need to finish this one first. To put the hours in like you are doing.

 

[Terri]

Great to see you again, John. Congrats on the sales! I'm looking forward to following along on the next one.