Day of the (Dead) Drunk - Artist's Challenge

'Day of the (Dead) Drunk' - 6"x6" - oil on canvas - SOLD

' Vigilance' - Marcia Molnar

'Skullz' - Pablo Villicana Lara

Back in early September, Pablo Villicana Lara, an artist with whom I've been blessed to discuss the merits of chocolate know for some years now, invited me to join himself and another immensely talented artist, Marcia Molnar, to participate in a Dia de los Muertos challenge. I jumped at the chance to do so, finally having an excuse to buy one of those fabulous little figurines. And this is what I came up with. I know. I should be totally ashamed of myself.

What I loved most about this challenge was the combination of three very different approaches to the same subject. I love artist challenges for this reason, because it showcases every person's unique perspective and their creative process. It also showcases the fact that I am going to Hell immature.

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New Paintings, New Gallery

'Return For Refund' - 10"x10" - oil on canvas - Mason Murer Fine Art

'Half Dozen' - 10"x10" - oil on canvas - Mason Murer Fine Art

'Glass & Floral I' - 12"x12" - oil on canvas - Dean Day Gallery

'Glass & Floral II' - 12"x12" - oil on canvas - Dean Day Gallery

'Glass & Floral III' - 12"x12" - oil on canvas - Dean Day Gallery

Hello, Everyone! Just a quick update on gallery paintings for the weekend. Rest assured, more studies are in the works and will be posted next week. I am particularly excited about Monday's listing. Mwa ha ha ha ha ha (urp) (hic). That's a hint.

Anyway, about the paintings above- Two of the five you've already seen. 'Glass & Floral I' and 'Half Dozen' both made appearances on my blog within the last two months. But it wasn't until today that I got around to showing you the other three, rounding out both series.

The 'Glass & Floral' series was much fun to paint and combined two favorite subjects. I won't lie- I want to go bigger with these and am talking with Dean Day about doing so. First things first, we will see how the smaller versions are received by their patrons.

'Return For Refund' joined 'Half Dozen' a few weeks back at Mason Murer Fine Art in time for a Coca-Cola corporate event. I had been working on four paintings in total, but could not find a way to be satisfied with the other two. They met a shredded and cursed fate in the recycle bin. Play 'Taps' for them when you get the chance, will you?

'Red, White & Rosé' - 12"x12" - oil on canvas - Elliott Fouts Gallery

In other news, I am pleased to announce that aside from taking part in Elliott Fouts Gallery's annual Still Life juried exhibition, I was also invited to become one of their artists. I was so flattered, thrilled and honored and still find myself giving my arm a little pinch now and again. I have been a fan of this gallery for the past three years since I discovered them through the wonderfully talented Christopher Stott.

So, now I am fiendishly painting for all three galleries. What you see above is the second of two new wine themed paintings I have sent to them, both of which are in the exhibition. I had talked with Elliott Fouts back in August about wine as a theme. Considering I like to drink wine, and love to paint images of glassware, it was a no-brainer to say YES to this. There will be other subjects on display there as well, one of which I am nearly finished with and will send them shortly for review. But the wine theme has got me all aflutter with delight the past couple months, I admit.

And that's about it for now. I have my weekend loaded with work and am happy to do it. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday weekend and I will be in touch again come Monday when I post the "Mwa ha ha ha ha ha (urp) (hic)" painting.

Cocktail Study: White Wine

'White Wine' - 4"x4" - oil on hardboard panel - SOLD

From the iPhone, the 3rd of 3 overhead view paintings of alcohol delights. Swear to God, I'm not a drunk. Honest.

On a wine tour back in June, we stopped at our favorite haunt, Ponte Family Estate. I remember having a beautiful bowl of steamed muscles in garlic tomato broth, Niçoise salad, crème brûlée and a glass of slightly chilled Vermentino (seen above). Perfect.

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Cocktail Study: Beer

'Beer' - 4"x4" - oil on hardboard panel - SOLD

Another from the iPhone collection and cocktail #2 of what will be a series of 3 overhead views of alcoholic delights. This shot was taken at a microbrewery during the height of summer in balmy Las Vegas. In August. So unbearably, sizzlingly hot. My other half and I tucked ourselves into a booth under a blasting A/C vent and ordered a couple very tall brews. The one pictured above was a beautiful blonde with honey and wildflower undertones and a clean, crisp finish. Beer from a bottle just can't compare. And beer from a can.....well....ppppffffttt.

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Cocktail Study: Martini

'Martini' - 4" x 4" - oil on cradled hardboard panel - SOLD

This week I've been going through all my iPhone photos and deciding which I'll keep and which I'll purge before storing them on the Mac and trading my old 3g in for a 4s. I have a lot of photos. A boatload. Photography, no matter with what type of camera, is my creative hobby. Pictures of food and drink are my favorite subjects. To those who've followed my work for any length of time, this should come as no surprise. In looking through all my pics, I've found several that I think would make great paintings and have set them aside.

Back in July, I took my dad out to dinner for his birthday. He ordered a martini and I thought the patterns created in the glass were so pretty that I made him wait while I publicly embarrassed him by hovering over the table with my phone for a moment or two. Then he ordered another. Because I'm one of THOSE people. Apologies, Dad.

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Macaron Study III

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

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Coffee Cup Study: Porcelain

'Porcelain' - 6" x 6" - oil on hardboard panel - SOLD

I needed another artistic palette cleanser after all the large, highly detailed paintings I've been doing the past several weeks. A simply monochromatic study of simply objects suited me just fine. I am now ready again to do something highly detailed (read: insane).

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