striped newlyweds (couple a day #15)

There are two full work weeks left until Valentine's Day and I'm nearly 'coupled' out. Ten couples left to go. I have to say, though, that this has been an excellent exercise for me. It's gotten me into the habit of posting, my posting habits until now have been sporadic at best, but better than that, it makes me think more about my work. It's helpful to be forced into applying a little verbage to a purely visual medium now and again.

Any-who. Today's offering is "Striped Newlyweds". As with many of the couple paintings, the actual subject matter here is entirely static...a little upright pair of figures with a horizontal horizon and some rectangular architecture behind. All of the action here comes from the big patches of underpainting, serving as organically shaped swatches of cloud and ground. While all of the elements in the composition are fully articulated, the spice is in the many purely abstract moments allowed to blossom all around.

It looks like they're standing on a rainbow.

"Striped Newlyweds", oil on masonite, 16" x 12", $375

on the rails (couple a day #14)

Today was a terrible day for pictures, but I think you can get the idea. This is "On the Rails" (oil on linen, 10" x 8", $300 (sold)); a study of wedges, rectangles, and stripes on stripes.

I finished something yesterday that has me tingly all over...something new I think. I'll post it tomorrow or Monday but I want to think about it a little more first.

gentlemen farmers (couple a day #13)

Today's couple is "Gentlemen Farmers", lucky number 13. The posture of these two characters is what drew me to this composition...they're both sporting a very natty, casual attitude. My favorite thing, though, was the guy on the left's tie tucked into his overalls.

Genna's underpainting on this one is a subtle gem. Well, the color isn't so subtle, but when you get a good close look at it has an overall striping underneath the soft oil wash layer that unifies the whole surface. Click on it for a larger view and check out the right guy's hat brim and shirt and the bushy areas to the right and left of their boots.

"Gentlemen Farmers", oil on masonite, 16" x 12", $375

emerging (couple a day #12)

Today's couple is an image that is easily in my top five most visited compositions. Sometimes I call it a variation of "Emerging", sometimes "Native Azaleas". It's been as small as a postcard and as large as a barn door, vertical and horizontal, chaotic and staid, peaceful and frenetic. Today's is particularly perky and energetic.

The reason I visit this composition so much is it's an excellent vehicle for improvisation. The couple is a little visual anchor surrounded by space that can be shaped and colored any which way. I also love the thought that they're a naughty little couple caught emerging from the woods.

This one is "Emerging, Entergetic", oil on linen, 20" square, $600 (sold).

luminous poolside (couple a day #11)

OH NO! I forgot to post my daily couple yesterday. Pretend today is Monday.

This is "Luminous Poolside", oil on linen, 36" square, $1800 (sold). I love this woman. She is so fan-tas-tically shaped.

I'm running behind today, so tomorrow we're going to pretend it's Tuesday.

striped in the alley (couple a day #10)

Every once in a while I make something that somehow I'm a little uneasy about. Maybe it's different in a way I can't quite identify, or maybe it's a little 'edgier' than the main body of my work. Sometimes those turn out to be ones I just never like and they get painted over. Other times they turn out to be pieces that are the beginning of a new direction. I think this may be one of those. I wasn't quite sure about it when I made it but it's growing on me steadily.

One thing I know for sure I like is that the couple has no paint whatsoever (what so ever?) on their flesh but are instead little people shaped windows into the underpainting. I love when that happens.

Happy weekend, everybody!

"Striped in the Alley", oil on masonite, 20" x 16", $450

leggy on the water (couple a day #9)

As promised last week, here is another study of my beloved 'leggy lady'. This one is "Leggy on the Water" (oil on linen, 20" square, $600). I've always been fascinated with this photo and how much tension is created with that flexed, extended leg. I want to take it on on a bigger format someday but haven't worked up the courage yet as it's one of those pieces that has to be JUST RIGHT or it won't work at all.

In this woman's defense, I do have some very demure shots of her, but they're just not as good!

Also, I posted the more professional pic. of "Boys of Summer" on the website this morning.

hottie vaca (vay-kay) couple (couple a day #8)

Today was absolutely nuts, but I still have a 'couple' for you. I made a version of this piece as a gift for Genna Christmas 2009. I think they're my sexiest couple ever! This one is "Hottie Vacation Couple" (oil on linen, 10" x 8", $300).

Our Kia Canada contact came to visit this morning with her COO (I have no idea what that stands for) and wound up at the studio at the same time as another client I had there discussing a commission. I can't tell you about the commission as it's currenlty a secret, but it's a much bigger thing than I originally realized. A few minutes before all of these people stormed the studio, I dropped a big plastic jar of clear gesso and it shot all over my pants/shoe/bathroom/in my sock. Tah-Dah!

friday couple (couple a day #7)

For those of you who have come late to the party, I'm posting a painting of a couple every weekday from now until Valentine's Day. Today's offering is "Friday Couple" (oil on masonite, 11" x 14", $375).

I've worked with this image several times before and always enjoy it. It's an excellent showcase for a big swatch of softly striped underpainting up top and features lots of tiny little figures in the periphery that I like to arrange and rearrange from one piece to the next.

Tomorrow is a big day...I have a client meeting at 10, brown bag lunch at the studio with some artist friends, and our Kia Canada contact is visiting sometime during the day to see Genna's setup and choose some pieces for the Kia Korea president to take back to Korea. Whew! I'm still going to squeeze in a 'couple', though, so see you tomorrow!

boys of summer on the easel

Hi guys! I'm on a 'couple' break for the weekend but still in the studio. Before I left yesterday, I began a new version of my grandpa and his navy buddies on the beach. It's a big one, 48" x 60", with a beautiful 'sunset striped' underpainting courtesy of Genna. Here's what it looked like this morning:



I like to paint the lightest lights and darkest darks first thing so that I can see the overall composition through all of the screaming underpainting. My first thought when I looked at this this morning (which actually was more like noonish!) was that I loved that stuttering blue stripe running through the center of the figures and wanted to hold onto that if possible. To play that up, I painted in a similar blue between the bottoms of their legs:



After separating their figures with some changes in skin tone and filling in the shirt and towel shape, I believe I'm about 95% finished:



I'll post the properly photographed finished piece on the website next week. I'm tempted to call this "Smokin' on the Beach" as they're all hot and holding cigarettes, but cutesy titles make my skin itch. So, she's either "Boys of Summer" or "Sunset Quintet Redux". Probably "Boys of Summer".

saucy duo (couple a day #5)

Today's offering isn't technically a couple, but I think they share enough of the same spicy attitude, palette, and compositional similarities to make a really great diptych. Check out that shape echo between his elbow and her leg, yum!

The photo I used for the lady piece ("Leggy", oil on linen, 10" square, $300(sold)) was from a large lot of photos I bought on ebay years ago. I have many shots of this same woman and she REALLY liked her legs. I'm working on another couple that features her leggy-liciousness today.

The male half of the duo is "Harley Guy", oil on linen, 10" square, (sold).

take five (couple a day #4)

It occurs to me that I've committed myself to something like 26 'couple' paintings. Yikes.

Today's is "Take Five", an oil on linen, 10" x 8", framed in black for $300.

I'm starting to itch for a larger format, so maybe next week there will be some bigguns to see. Have a great day, everybody!

bushes portrait (couple a day #3)

We're at T minus 23 work days and counting to Valentine's Day, and I give you "Bushes Portrait" (oil on masonite, 9" x 12", $350).

I am so in love with the composition of this piece that I think you'll see it much larger some time this year (maybe 30" x 40" or 36" x 48"). I like the way the branch shapes mimic the shapes in the gentleman's jacket.

Now, these guys could could be brothers, father and son, neighbors, what-have-you...but it's two figures so I'm counting them as a couple for the purposes of my exercise!

patterned couple, (couple a day #2)

Hi guys,

Here we are with my 'couple a day' numero dos...counting down to Valentines Day. I've been sitting on the reference photo for this one for ages and finally felt like I was up to the challenge of her striped dress (which is really the whole point of the painting). I'm into the patterning thing right now, reference yesterday's "Beautiful Music".

This is "Patterned Couple", oil on masonite, 16" x 12", framed in black, $400 (sold).

See you tomorrow!

my funny valentines, or 'a couple a day'

Hi everybody! I just gave myself what amounted to almost 3 weeks off from work and am now struggling back into studio life. Hope everyone had a brilliant holiday season!

Sometimes when you've been out of the 'creative loop' for a while, it's tough to get back in. I'm starting off this week with a number of new couple paintings. Pairs of figures are absolutely my favorite thing to paint...married couples, mother & child, siblings, father & son, whatever. I figured I'd ease back into the painting groove with some small couples (8 x 10 or so), and just in time for Valentines Day!

Borrowing loosely from my friends Scott & Kathrine's brilliant 'cupcake a day' idea, I'm going to try to post a 'couple a day' from now until Valentines Day. I have no idea if I actually have the self discipline to pull that off, but I guess we'll see!

So, Day 1 Couple is "Beautiful Music", oil on particle board, 10" x 8", $300. Genna treated this board for me by forcing paint into the grooves in the wood, sanding it smooth, and sealing it with a clear gesso. I love, love, love the look of the particle board between the shapes and how it plays into the patterned nature of this little couple.

I'll be posting the 'couple a day' paintings soon on our webpage or you can email me anytime at admin@galleryair.com to make a purchase.

coming up for air

We're entering winter...usually the time when Genna and I both kick into coast mode, slow down our travel and rest after our fall season. Not so this year! Genna is still up to his eyeballs in pots 12-13 hours a day (540 down, about 90 to go) and I'm still going full steam in preparation for Telfair in Savannah, the Christmas commission season, and our solo show at 16 Patton.

Speaking of which, thank you to everyone who sent in submissions for our second installment of the "Inspiration Project". My fave image so far (above) was made from my friend and fellow artist Steve Frenkel's submission. I'm calling it 'Railmen'. It's a 20" x 30" oil on linen. Voting for everyone else's faves will begin in a few weeks. Here's one of Steve's fantastic acrylics that I'm proud to say is part of my budding collection:



It's a 12" square called "Hourloupe Dry Cycle". Steve and I met while we were both showing at Opus One Gallery in Atlanta. He is an incredibly talented and dedicated artist. Check out more of his work online at www.stevefrenkel.net.

I have so many more things I wanna tell everyone about...Nastiya's first commission, Genna's pot progress, my first festival experience without him (I hope it was also the last!)...but right now I have to get back to work. Cross your fingers for me.

pete and repeat

Lest you think all I'm doing is putting pots in boxes all day (this is almost true), I offer you my latest..."Pete and Repeat Class Portrait".

This is only the fourth or fifth time I've worked with the basic idea of yearbook picture contact sheets and it still holds alot of mystery for me, which is awesome. I don't know about any of my full time artist fellows, but for me it's easy to feel the bloom is off the rose when I feel 100% confident and comfortable about what I'm making.

This image was made by transfering individual portraits from a 1950's yearbook and then flipping them and using each portrait again (henceforth the pete and repeat title). When the time came to apply paint, I made no effort to match the pairs or make them unique but instead let each unit speak individually. I love that each character has his or her own essence and personality even without any facial features. My favorites are actually some of the units that are silouhettes only.

The exciting thing about this idea for me is making something dynamic and rhythmic that basically repeats the same basic form over and over. The palette I used was also quite narrow, relying on Genna's underpainting color for variety.

Here's a detail:



If you want to see a larger file of "Pete and Repeat", I'll be posting it on the website tomorrow along with a dozen or so other new pieces.

Headed for Houston next week. I think Genna will be thrilled to be driving the car instead of making pots 13 hours a day. Everything's relative, huh!

favorite. commission. ever.

No offense to anyone else for whom I've made custom work, but I recently completed my favorite commission project ever.

My friend, client, and fellow artist Debbie Bruce came to me this past spring with a request to make paintings for her son Taylor's fall wedding. The idea was that there would be a small painting on each table at the wedding supper and that afterward, they would all go together as an 'installation' at the new couple's home. The images I made were of photos from the bride's and groom's childhoods. Sweetest thing ever, right? In addition to it just being a really lovely concept, her son Taylor is a good friend, as well as a writer who penned our Southern Living Feature. It was doubly an honor to be able to do this for him.

So, there are twenty pieces in the set, but I'm showing here 4 of my favorites..."Swiss Family" of the bride (henceforth known as Robin...cause that's her name) and her family on vacation, "Buff Boys" of Taylor and his friends as pre-teens, "Beach Beauty" of little Robin in her swimsuit, and "Dock" of little Taylor with a fishing pole.

I think I've listed them in backward order, but I'm sure you can figure it out. Enjoy!

on the easel, eggplant brunch

I've something new on the easel.

As it often happens in my collaborative process with hubby Genna, he recently offered me up a batch of new underpaintings at which I turned up my nose, and now I'm eating all of my critical words. Genna makes my oil wash underpaintings only once a month or so, lots at a time. Two times ago, there came a whole set that seemed almost unbearably 'prime'...basic yellow, blue, and red.

On closer inspection, they're loaded with goodness. Lots of sublte, dark, shifting patches of purple and teal, punctuated with tasty little orange blobbies.

I put a big one on the easel on Thursday, 36" high and 60" wide. It's deeper and richer in tone than alot of what I've been working with lately. Several of Genna's recent 'batches' have been really crisp & tart. Here's the new piece at the beginning:

The image I chose for the new 3'x5' was this one:

I thought that the deep wash would work well in an image with lots of architecture & landscape...lighter on the figures. About a third of the way through, I was struck by how much I subconsiously pick up and use the colors of the underpainting. This far in, nearly every color I had applied was a nearly perfect match for a patch of underpainting. I can't remember ever having used that eggplant color before. Thus is the beauty of working with a partner! I never know what I'm going to get and what I'm going to do with it.

So now it's Saturday, and I'm wrapping it up. The last few hours tends to be spent in what would look like walking around drinking coffee to the untrained eye. I leave the room, positioning the piece so that it's visible from the hall. Then I wander from my desk to the computer (soduku and email) to the kitchen (coffee and peeks in the fridge), around and around, sneaking glances at the new piece out of the corner of my eye. It's important to sneak up on it so that I can see what it really looks like.

So, a few more subtle adjustments and this one should be finished and framed before we leave for DesMoines on Tuesday. She's "Poughkeepsie Brunch", oil on linen, 36" x 60"...

Oh, one more from the 'prime' set:

Gee's Bend Homage: Easy, oil on linen, 36" x 60"