The Still Life: Invitational Group Show at Elliott Fouts Gallery

'End of Summer' - 24" x 18" - oil on canvas

I am pleased to announce that 'End of Summer' will be a part of the Elliott Fouts Gallery's group invitational realism show, The Still Life taking place October 1st through November 2nd. The official reception will be held on October 8th from 6pm to 9pm. If you're in the area, do stop by to see the wonderful collection of artist's work they've put together. I am flattered to have been asked and accepted into such a lovely show.

Gomphrena in Blue Glass

'Gomphrena in Blue Glass' - 20"x20" - oil on canvas
(currently under gallery review - not available for direct sale)

Okay, swear to God I'm putting up some studies, but posting this to fill the blog until I get them done. Sorry about the wait! Long, long, long, long week(end).

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Red, White, Rosé & Waiting

' Red, White, Rosé & Waiting' - 12" x 12" - oil on 1.5" gallery wrapped canvas
(currently under gallery review - not available for direct sale)

For the past several weeks, I've been working on - among other things like: desserts, floral, Coke bottles, glass, silverware and cherries - a series devoted to wine. (sigh) Here is the first of what I hope to be many, many more.

As an apology to my subscribers, I WILL be posting more small scale study paintings. I want to put at least one up this week. Just juggling between the large works for an upcoming show, my previous gallery commitments, and pulling my hair out. Okay, not really that last part. But close. I've got a lovely little coffee study in the works and the other two French macaron paintings yet to list. If anyone has a connection with a mad scientist who can successfully clone humans, I'm in the market.

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Real Things

('Half Dozen' pictured on far right)

Friday night, September 16th, Mason Murer Fine Art opened a new show called 'Real Things'. Incorporated into that show along with its primary artists were the works of several other artists for a show to be held later in October for Coca Cola's shareholders. I am very honored to have been asked to submit paintings for this event, and to be among such a talented group.

Here's a list of a few of them. Do check out their blogs. Amazing: Neil Hollingsworth, Otto Lange, Chris Stott, Vic Vicini, Alvin Richard, David Malan, Teresa Fischer, Michael Naples, Sally Tharp and Todd Ford. Okay, that's more than a few. Sorry! They're all so good.

I was unable to attend, but Neil Hollingsworth was kind enough to send me a photo of one of the paintings I was able to complete and submit for the opening. The other three are still in progress (one of which is being redone because I am a perfectionist lunatic) and will be in Atlanta for the official shareholder's event next month.

Back to the studio......

Macaroon Study II

'Macaroon Study II' - 6" x 6" - oil on 1.5" gallery wrapped canvas - SOLD

The second of a study set of four, this one reminds me of childhood. I was big into color wheels, color charts and arranging my crayons like a rainbow all across the table when I'd do my 'work' as a kid. Had to revisit this when I bought all these macaroons. They looked so perfectly cute and festive stacked as they were.

After I started this series, I knew I had to do more, so I've also begun prepping several smaller 4"x4" hardboard panels that I'll use to explore these macaroons singly and in other arrangements. They are, for lack of a better word, addictive.

It's slow going though, getting new small study work painted. Been busy all summer working on paintings for several galleries and now for two group shows I'm hoping to take part in. I miss my little dailies, the satisfaction of their quick execution and completion, their simplicity and their fun. But, the gallery work at larger scale has been wonderfully challenging and immensely satisfying. Pro's and con's to everything, I guess.

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Half Dozen

'Half Dozen' - 10" x 10" - oil on 1.5" gallery wrapped canvas

While taking the photos for this painting, I noticed that the closer I got to my subject without the macro setting turned on, the more everything not front and center blurred into the background. I have never before tried to paint something with an intentional blur; the human eye does that all on its own. However, in the photos the blurring made things seem so much more intimate and cozy. I figured this was as good a time as any to give intentional blurring a try. I kinda like how it turned out. Don't know that I'll ever make a habit of it, but it was fun.

'Half Dozen' was painted for a Coca-Cola corporate event taking place at Mason Murer Fine Art next month. It will be heading their way tomorrow. If you are interested in purchasing this painting, please contact them here.

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