Large and Small

It's been awhile since I last posted a progress pic of this still life, so I thought I'd share. I've kind of set it aside for the past couple weeks, as I've been working on commissioned work as well as larger work. In March I'll be heading back to Europe, so until then I'll be focusing on larger works. When I'm in Europe, it's much easier to focus on smaller works because it keeps the shipping costs for my work down. So I'm taking the opportunity to use my larger sized canvases while I can! It's fun to create large works, but to be honest I'm looking forward to working on a small scale again. I have a lot of ideas for new Deep Thinkers, which I'm eager to get started on. And I'm eager to jump back into the habit of doing 2-3 small photorealist still lifes per week. Overall I'm interested in exploring the intimacy and expressiveness that can be achieved by creating works on a small scale.

Rover Goes Retro!

Here we go! I finished the retro Rottweiler painting. Here are 3 pics - one in-progress shot, and two views of the final version.






This painting was mega-fun to create (and will be available for sale this week)! The metallic paints were a nice touch - silver on the moon boot platforms, and blue on the outer edge of the frame.

Doodles...

I was looking through one of my old sketchbooks today, which is always a source of inspiration. It's really interesting to trace the trajectory of my mind as evidenced by the various doodles, notes, ideas and sketches that are scribbled onto the pages. I always hope that someday I will have the time to revisit and develop those ideas.

These doodles came from a sketchbook that I kept two years ago while living in Brighton, England. I must have been in a portrait mood!

Piggybacking

I found this delightfully cheesy velvet Rottweiler painting at a thrift store, and I couldn't resist. I rescued the painting and intend to funk it up by painting over the original artwork - a process referred to in art terms as "piggybacking". It's my first attempt at piggybacking, and I think it will be quite fun. I already have a vision in mind for the painting, which is tentatively titled "Rover Goes Retro".

Chunky

I've started working on a new abstract. This one is a bit chunkier than my usual ones. It is 6" x 6" x 2", with all four sides painted as well. It's neat, kind of like a little abstract art cube.

I'd say this painting is about halfway done right now. The basic elements are down, now it's just a matter of filling in more colorful details.
When I do painted sides, they are usually 1.5". It is interesting the difference just half an inch makes! Someday I'd like to try the ones with 3" sides.

Colorful Candy

Here is my latest photorealist work-in-progress:

Work-in-progress - 6" x 6" - Acrylic on Wood Panel

I love this piece because it's so colorful! The colors are so bright and vivid, reminiscent of the palette I use in my abstracts. In fact I think this painting looks really great juxtaposed with one of my 6" square abstracts.

Thai temples, part 2

This gorgeous temple is also located in Phuket. I love the lotus pond in front.This is a temple located near Chiang Mai, in the northern part of Thailand.

This building was also part of the temple located near Chiang Mai.

This is the staircase leading up the temple near Chiang Mai. You could either take a cable car or walk the steps. The railing of these stairs is sculpted in the form of a dragon, the heads of which you can see in the next shot!

This is the end of the staircase. Pretty neat, huh? I believe these snakes are called naga.

The serenity and beauty of the Thai temples were certainly uplifting and inspiring and left a strong impression within me. I'm looking forward to seeing more when I return!