Paintings in Progress

I'd been working on a bunch of small watercolor paintings, and having mixed success (ok - so I made a bunch of mediocre/bad paintings and a few ok ones).  I've started working on a bunch of small oil paintings to get back on track.

Blocking in the first layer.

The second layer is finished, I've got one more to go to add more detail and refine the gradients/ edges.

Started this one from a tiny maquette made from paper and a metallic pipe cleaner.  Note: Metallic pipe cleaners are tough to paint!

This is the second layer - I've got one more layer to go on this one to flatten out the forms and sneak in some insane detail on the pipe cleaner lightening.

This one still needs one more layer.  I kind of love how it is turning out so far.  I used craft foam to build the little maquette for this one and foresee making more of these.  I like the combination of simplicity and realism happening in this painting.

And, last but not least, a 'lone cloud' painting.  I just blocked this one in last night.

I like having a bunch of paintings to jump around between.  It helps me to stay focused and energized.  If I run into a wall with one painting, I've always got another one I can turn to to stay motivated and engaged.

Watercolors and Juice

Untitled - 11x14" - Watercolor, Gouache, and Pastel on Paper

I've been working quite a bit on some smaller pieces in the studio lately.  After I finished a marathon oil painting session for my last exhibition I think I just needed to decompress a little bit so I started working on a bunch of these smaller works.

Midas - 6 x8" - Watercolor on Paper

I'm not sure where I'm going with these paintings, but I'm learning a lot from each one.  

I've got about 12 of these little works in progress.  I always enjoy having a lot of pieces going at once - I don't think it is possible to get stuck or creatively blocked that way.  

I'm also totally geeking out about my Juicer that I recently bought.  I've been trying to kick my migraines, drink less coffee, and eat healthier this last month.  Every afternoon I make myself a juice with one fruit and a ton of veggies.  I'd whole-heartedly recommend it!

Exhibit at Northern State University

A few weeks ago I installed my work in the Isaac Lincoln Gallery at Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD.  While there I also met with students to give a lecture on how I use social media as an artist and gave a gallery talk about my current body of work.  I had a blast, and am thankful to the Art Department for having me as their guest.

Here are some shots from the exhibition:

Arranging work - this can be a surprisingly tough task - especially when considering that the figurine paintings always have a 'direction' that they face.  

The lovely show cards that they designed:

Works hanging on the largest wall. 

It was great to see so many students and faculty members attend the opening reception for the exhibition. 

The students and other attendees asked some great questions after my talk!  

Thanks again NSU for hosting my work!

Workin' on the Weekends

I've been plugging away in the studio and on preparing for next semester this last month while trying to shake the last of the flu bug which I managed to pick up while in Wisconsin for the holidays.  I've just finished the last few paintings that I'll be including in an exhibit I'm installing at Northern State University next week.

As you may have guessed, I'm a pretty insane planner.  For most of the shows I put together I like to plot out how many pieces I'll be bringing, and get a good sense of the space by making a mock-up of the interior.

I've also been tending to the business end of art-making; photographing and editing paintings, organizing finances, updating my website (almost done), and applying for more shows/opportunities.

I'm hoping to take a little break once school starts back up and catch up on the relaxing that I put off over break!  Wish this workaholic luck!

Three Small Watercolor Paintings

Lady - Watercolor - 5"

Boxer - Watercolor - 5"

Dalmatian - Watercolor - 5"

Prints for Sale!

Hey all,

I've recently partnered with Art.com as one of their featured artists, and have released a set of prints of my work through their wonderful website.  They are high-quality giclee prints with a variety of sizes.  They would make great holiday gifts!

Feel free to check out the 'Shop' section of the blog to see more of the prints that are available!

Studio Odds and Ends

A glimpse of the studio these last few weeks:


Just finished this little painting last night.  I've got four oil paintings on the easel currently, and I'm aiming to finish them by the end of the month for my solo show in January at Northern State University.






I've also been working on some small watercolors and drawings for my Etsy Shop and to sell locally.  I've got three new watercolors at Exposure Gallery in Sioux Falls for their $100 art sale.

October

We've been working hard the last few months with school, albums, shows, exhibits, and teaching. Nate is in the middle of recording his next album, and I'm in the middle of making work for my next show. Our weekends have been filled with side-jobs, gigs, and prepping for school. October always ends up being one of the busiest months of the year for both of us.

Last weekend Nate had two gigs and I participated in Studio 301 at the Washington Pavilion in Sioux Falls. This is my third year participating in the event, and I always feel both accomplished and exhausted after it is finished. During the event, which features 35 regional artists, artists are challenged to complete an artwork in one day. I worked on a 12x16" oil painting of a horse figurine, and just barely finished it within the allotted time.

The finished piece will be exhibited for the next few months in the main gallery at the Washington Pavilion.

 I'm almost done with this guy too:

He's been such a patient model. Sometimes I can finish a piece in a few weeks, and other times it drags on for months. This one has been the latter situation. I'm 99% finished with the painting and will soon fill this space with another figurine.

 
I also am working on the second layer of this huge painting. Soon I'll have to bring it inside as the porch is getting a bit too cold to paint in.

 
In addition to the oil paintings, I've been making a bunch of small abstract pieces.  I cut down scraps leftover from other paintings and play around with color, form, space, layering, textures, etc. They are a nice meditative break in between the larger paintings and are helpful to work on when I get the urge to create something but don't have a chunk of time large enough to dedicate to working in oil.

I also celebrated my 30th birthday this month. With it I'm trying to organize/prioritize/plan what I want out of the next few years. I almost always look at birthdays as a time to take stock of what is important, what is working, what isn't, and make changes for the better. Wish me luck!