Fast Expression

FAST EXPRESSION oil on panel 12 x 12

This painting was done FAST, very fast on a cheap, very cheap,(about 5.00) piece of framed art I picked up at Bed, Bath and Beyond. It's 12 x 12 with a deep frame. It is liberating to paint on any old surface and let the brush fly. Gesso a piece of cardboard or an old canvas and go...sometimes my favorite paintings happen.





Junior Kitty in her studio spot. Because the table she's on is above a heater, this is one of her favorite sleeping places in the winter. Junior is also known as Schnook. The name Schnook has evolved from a name to a noun; in that she is a schnook and cats that look like her are schnooks, it is a verb; in that she schnooks around or she's 'schnooking'. It is also an adjective in that she (or another schnook) is schnookish. And I suppose it could be an adverb too, as in "Schnooks is schnookishly schnookin'"

More Sketchbook Paintings

Happy December 31st and a Happy Birthday to my brother Mike!


Following up on the last post's content I thought I'd post a few more images of works inspired directly from sketches.









This one is titled "Home in the Woods". There was a theme developing this year with the concept of HOME as its center. The typical house shape began to emerge in my sketches; sometimes with the triangle other times with a circle (which I began to consider a moon) and other times somewhat realistically in the landscape--more to come there.








This painting is titled "Do You Know Where You Are...Part 2" (not sure how I feel about part 2 in the title, I might retitle it). This one is the second of two paintings, the first shown in the last post. (the ideas behind the paintings are also discussed in the last post)

Visiting my sketchbook

When I paint I use my sketchbook as a space to wipe my brushes. Later I draw, write, add media or paint into it. The painting below is derived from the sketchbook page above. Regarding content; in the sketchbook I was still processing my Dad's death. At the time the sketch was made, I'd begun to tuck all of 'it' into a place in my heart. Nestled in, tucked in. The little circle is the tucked away space.

In the Mood to Paint

The post Christmas quiet has settled in the house. The kids are back to their homes and lives. Today is one of those days where I have the strong desire and energy to work in the studio. But,I do have to get going in an hour or so for other commitments outside the home. I'm looking forward to tomorrow as a studio day!

The piece above evolved from two sources which are probably the same place now that I think about it. The triangle is a shape I find myself drawing and painting at random. You know how when we doodle the same things emerge? Like a personal sign we all have. I draw other shapes, it seems to depend on something that's happening way inside the psyche. I was such a shape user this summer at the AP Studio ARt Workshop at Columbus College of Art and Design that they gave me a book on shapes. It's called SIGNS OF LIFE- The Five Universal Shapes and How to Use Them by Angeles Arrien. Another book I picked up at Half-Price Books is called HUNAB KU-77 Sacred Symbols for Balancing Body and Spirit bye Karen Speerstra and Joel Speerstra. I've only begun to look at this one.

The second source for the triangle in the painting is from a dream. In the dream the triangle was hovering/shimmering directly in front of me. I painted this painting very soon after the dream.

For now I'm off to enjoy the incredibly balmy for December 27th in Ohio Sixty degree air.

Christmas Eve

Christmas prayers to all and prayers for a Peaceful 2009.

When we bought our Christmas Tree

When we bought our Christmas Tree, I couldn't resist taking pictures of the barn at the tree farm. Like many of the barns in our area (probably a reflection of the passing of an era across the country) this one is falling down, dilapidated and very cool to look at. Great colors, textures and sky holes. It was built in the early 1800's and was a home before it was a barn.
I only had my cell phone with me, so the pics are cell phonish. The owner says I can come back to take more pics. (I'd like to bring my son who'd love it, plus he has a great camera.) The owner also said that people used to come to draw and paint the barn. (Before it was in its intriquing, beautiful state of disrepair and I think; unfortunately it is dying unless someone saves it.)

Jack Frost

When I was little, I believed that the mysterious artist who came in the dark cold night, etching windows everywhere with intricate lacy designs truly exsisted. In the mornings after he came, I traced and studied the designs with my finger. Jack Frost was here!



(click on image for a closer look at Jack's artwork)