Seems like I manage about two of these journals a year.

I've just uploaded some stuff from my drawing class last year. Used reams and reams of paper, but these three are really the only ones worth sharing. (The oil painting is also based on sketches from that class.)

Since I last wrote, I've fallen head over heels for two new (to me) media - oil paint and vine charcoal. Both are so wonderfully sensuous! I seriously don't know how I've put up with acryllic paint for so long.

What little work I've had time for (I've spent much of the last year opening a restaurant with my sweetie, not a lot of studio time) has gone in opposite extremes. On one hand, I'm really trying to work more from life than photos, though that usually gives me a headache. (My eyes are fine, but I always wish they would focus just a little better...)

On the other end, my painting has been really abstract for a while now, and I've been doing a lot with found objects.

A friend asked if I was still working on the Tarot series. The answer is a definate "maybe." I got bored with the Joni Mitchell painting and set it aside, then this abstract obsession kicked in. I've been kinda wanting to go back to the series with "The Star", but I don't think I'm in the right frame of mind for that much realism.

WORKS IN PROGRESS:

Completed, need to scan/photograph:
Untitled #4 (This doesn't give y'all much to go on, does it?)

In progress:
The Sun (if I ever get around to fixing it)
The Empress (If I ever get around to finishing it)
Untitled #5 (I really dislike naming things) An abstract for Dionysos

Planned:
As inspiriation strikes, really

Tarot Series

I've got the best mom in the world. She got sick of hearing me whine, so she sent me a digital camera, about a week after my last journal entry. The intervening time has been spent trying to take pictures that look decent. I've achieved partial success, so here's a bunch of new stuff.

Once again: Buy my prints! I've got a mortgage to pay!

Just kidding.

Well, no, not really.







WORKS IN PROGRESS:

Completed, need to scan:
Many, many pencil and charcoal drawings.

Nearing completion:
(In a "Zeno's paradox" sort of way. I wonder what it feels like to actually finish a painting?)

(That's Zeno's paradox. Which has to do with never being able to reach your destination because you always have to cross half the remaining distance first. As opposed to Xena's paradox which has to do with how she manages to avoid popping out of that breastplate during all the acrobatic fight scenes.)

The Sun - acryllic


In progress:

Odin - acryllic
The Star - acryllic
The Empress - acryllic

Planned:
Loki - acryllic
Freya - acryllic
BB King - pencil
Janis - pencil
Billie - Acrylic
Blue Monkey series (don't ask)
Tarot Series

WORKS IN PROGRESS:

Completed, needs to be scanned/photographed:
The Magus - acryllic
The Fool - acryllic
Crisis of Faith - Collage
Lady of the Lake (self portrait) - Acyrilic/Oil Pastel
Untitled #1 - Acrylic
Untitled #2 - Collage/Mixed media
Triptych for Brighid - Acryllic

Plus many, many pencil and charcoal drawings.

Nearing completion:
(In a "Xeno's paradox" sort of way. I wonder what it feels like to actually finish a painting?)

(That's Xeno's paradox. Which has to do with never being able to reach your destination because you always have to cross half the remaining distance first. As opposed to Xena's paradox which has to do with how she manages to avoid popping out of that breastplate during all the acrobatic fight scenes.)

The Sun - acryllic


In progress:

Odin - acryllic
The Star - acryllic
The Empress - acryllic

Planned:
Loki - acryllic
Freya - acryllic
BB King - pencil
Janis - pencil
Billie - Acrylic
Blue Monkey series (don't ask)
Tarot Series

I realized it's been almost 8 months since I've submitted anything, so I figured I'd let those of you who are keeping track know that I'm not dead. Just technologically challenged.

The good news is I've finally broken down and taken a few things to Kinko's to scan, so I should have some new stuff up shortly. (Already posted better scans of Buddy Guy and SRV3.) The bad news is the files are HUGE and I've got a really slow connection.
OTOH, because of this I've finally got something high enough resolution to take advantage of that print account I paid for months ago. Assuming it's approved, the first one available will be Buddy.

Hear that y'all? This is where you can start sending me your money.

As if.






WORKS IN PROGRESS:

Completed, needs to be scanned/photographed:
The Sun - acryllic


Nearing completion:
(In a "Xeno's paradox" sort of way. I wonder what it feels like to actually finish a painting?)

(That's Xeno's paradox. Which has to do with never being able to reach your destination because you always have to cross half the remaining distance first. As opposed to Xena's paradox which has to do with how she manages to avoid popping out of that breastplate during all the acrobatic fight scenes.)

The Magus - acryllic
The Fool - acryllic

In progress:


Odin - acryllic
The Star - acryllic
The Empress - acryllic

Planned:
BB King - pencil
Jimmy Page - pencil
Loki - acryllic
Freya - acryllic
BB King - pencil
Janis - pencil
Billie - Acrylic
Blue Monkey series (don't ask)
Tarot Series

Clubs:




Friends and other really talented people, check 'em out:

(The pretentious journal title comes from an old story - or song? - about an old violin that was up for auction...)

Mood: Placated
Listening to: Hallelujah - Jeff Buckley
Reading: The History of Magic - Eliaphas Levi
Watching: Pollock

About a year and a half ago, I had the chance to see one of SRV's guitars, along with a reproduction of his #1 strat, before they went up for auction for charity. The thing that struck me about both instruments was how high he had the action on the things. When combined with the large gauge strings he used, they would have been almost impossible to play. To bend a single note, much less entire chords like Stevie did, you'd have to have powerful strength in the hands. And if you look at him, you'll see it's true - his hands and forearms are incredible muscular. A lot like his music.

He's not the only one. Jimmy Page has these long, artistic fingers you can easily imagine playing the solo from Stairway to Heaven or the intricate acoustic parts to Going to California or Bron-Y-Aur. Hendrix has both huge hands, like Stevie, and long fingers, like Page. Ideal to play anything he damn well pleased.

Anyway, that's the inspiration for my new "portraits." There are a lot more people I want to do (Page and Hendrix, among others), but I haven't found the right source photos.


WORKS IN PROGRESS:

Completed, needs to be scanned/photographed:
Stevie & Jimmie - pencil
The Sun - acryllic
Masque II, Water - mixed media, mostly watercolor


Nearing completion:
(In a "Xeno's paradox" sort of way. I wonder what it feels like to actually finish a painting?)

(That's Xeno's paradox. Which has to do with never being able to reach your destination because you always have to cross half the remaining distance first. As opposed to Xena's paradox which has to do with how she manages to avoid popping out of that breastplate during all the acrobatic fight scenes.)

The Magus - acryllic
The Fool - acryllic

In progress:

(Sorta. I've done sketches anyway.)
Odin - acryllic
The Star - acryllic
The Empress - acryllic

Planned:
BB King - pencil
Eric Clapton - pencil
Jimmy Page - pencil
Jeff Beck - pencil
Loki - acryllic
Freya - acryllic
BB King - pencil
Janis - pencil
Billie - Acrylic
Blue Monkey series (don't ask)
Tarot Series

Clubs:





Friends and other really talented people, check 'em out: