"Lust of the Flesh" - Acrylic on door panel - 36" x 40" x 1.5" - 525.00 US

This painting represents a break through for me in that I have taken a style originally meant to vaguely represent geological rock formations and allowed it to evolve or mutate into something new and different. While this painting still has defined "layers", they now each represent something other than just abstracted rock strata. If you look at the first layer on the left you will see the shape of a female figure. The blue layer in the middle contains a gawking face and the greenish orange layer to the right contains a figure turning away as to avoid the entire situation. In addition the blue face contains several red/magenta circles meant to represent lustful thoughts. An additional face (looking but not looking) in the man turning away, shows that a part of him wants to look back even as he averts his gaze.

"Circular Logic" - Acrylic on door panel - 35" x 30" x 1.5" - 425.00 - SOLD

I continued with the center band in this painting, however, I utilized the concept of a fault line from my previous painting, by displacing portions of the band as if tectonic plates had shifted.  I incorporated circles instead of lines in this painting as an attempt to further the evolution of a concept.  I added directional lines on the circles which lead to a new type of signature for this series.  You will also note that there is a distinguishable face in the lower left as I began to pull form from the organic.  The changes in this painting led directly to a bolder use of definable content in my next painting called "Lust of the Flesh". 

In my discussion during the last few posts, I keep mentioning the phrase "evolution of a painting".  I am trying to let my work grow and expand into something deeper and more personal.  As an attempt to do this I am forcing myself to make changes in each painting that will force it to become something at least slightly different than the last.  Not just in composition and color but also a painting that stretches my own boundaries of creativity.  I want to create more....  I want to know what is really inside of me.

"Fault Line" - Acrylic on door panel - 40" x 32" x 1.5" - 480.00 US

To be honest, I approached this painting very openly hoping to find some magic and see this series of paintings begin to evolve.  Once again I wanted to use bright and vivid colors with even a little more saturation this time.  I chose to balance the bright colors with the whites, greys and black in the center of the painting.  While I like this painting it does not represent the title as much as I wish it did.  I hung on to this thought and incorperated it into the next painting called "Circular Logic".  A face emerges in one of the lower black lines of this painting and although it was accidental, I liked it and added a face into Circular logic as well.  I didn't know it yet but the evoloution had begun!!

"Earth Borne" - Acrylic on door panel - 40" x 28" x 1.5" - 425.00 US

There was a gallery showing recently that was a benefit for a local organization that collects food for the hungry.  The theme was "Til All Are Fed".  My challenge was to create a piece for this exhibit that would represent this concept and yet fit into my current series of paintings which abstractly represents earths geological formations.  I chose to depict earths fertility through soil, a root system and then ultimately the fruit of this growth process.  Whether the soil provides grain, vegetables, fruit or even grass; it not only provides food for us, but for all of the earths creatures as well.  Many people have found this painting to be disturbing and hard to interpret.  Once I explain the concept however they seem to find it a little easier to pallet.  The colors at the top imply growth and fertility, but are they representative as well?  I will give you a hint, think extreme close up...

"Exuberance" Acrylic on door panel - 42" x 30" - 485.00 US

I have to wonder where some of these titles come from.  Sometimes I think I am reflecting a state of mind more than an actual concept that defines the work itself.  I am continuing the series of paintings that relate to geology, specifically the earths crust and rock layers/formations.  This one is much brighter and perhaps this is the reason for the title "Exuberance".  The entire painting was created using a sponge, credit card and the pizza cutter (my new favorite tool) to apply the straight lines and grid pattern.  I am fascinated by the hidden treasures the earth has to offer via "veins" of precious metal and hidden jewels.  These things we call precious are hidden from our view until they are dug out and revealed.  In order to excavate, there must first be a desire to search for these buried treasures.  It is the same with people you know...  We all have special gifts and talents (virtues) that often lie dormant until just the right person comes along, seeking that very thing which we have inside of us.  At that moment, when our "buried treasure" is desired, it comes bursting forth to supply the need and desire of that persons heart.

"What Lies Beneath" - 30" x 30" x 1.5" - Acrylic - 375.00 US - SOLD

So I have discovered yet another paint application tool.  This time it is a (drum roll please) PIZZA CUTTER!  What a great tool for making long straight (or curved) skinny lines...  I also used a piece of coat hanger to make lines in this painting as well.  This painting started out with the concept of an iceburg hence the blue colors.  It took a sharp turn somewhere and I ended up exploring the juxtiposition between organic forms and geometric design.  One of the greatest thrills in abstract painting is watching the painting evolve and take on a life of its own.  Look for more paintings similar to this one, with even more vibrant colors, to be posted soon.

String Theory - 12" x 16" (on repurposed canvas) - Acrylic - 75.00 - SOLD

This is a very small painting for me but I like the results.  The canvas is stretched around a 1.5 in deep frame (gallery wrap) and the painting continues around all sides.  Quantum mechanics, vibrating lines and multiple dimensions all play into String Theory.  String Theory is a contender for the "Theory of Everything" and that my friend is a big bite to swallow, for to understand everything means to understand God Himself.  Not to worry however, "for though now we see through a glass, darkly; one day we shall see him face to face".  Then we can sit down and have him explain it all in detail!

"Aquifer #2" - 40" x 28" x 1.5" - Acrylic - 435.00 US

Number two in the "geological" painting series.  This one utilized much bolder colors than Aquifer #1 and I have added bluish glass beads to the water layer for a texture effect and to pick up the light better.  This piece reminds me of southwest desert landscapes, especially those of Arizona and New Mexico.  This may be the most "orderly" abstract painting that I have ever created.  Some of the rocks are very realistic and yet the abstraction comes forth as I attempt to portray my perception of what a raging underground river might actually look like if we could see it.

"Aquifer #1" 50" x 36" x 1.5" - Acrylic - 695.00 US

This is the first in a series of "geological" paintings.  I won't even attempt to catagorize it except to say that it is abstracted reality.  Of course, many would say that all abstract art starts with something, therefore, all abstract art is abstracted reality.  Problem solved...  I am very intrigued by what lies beneath us.  One of my favorite movies as I was growing up, was "Journey To the Center of the Earth" (the original one with Pat Boone).  I still like to explore caves and look at rocks and wonder about their journey.  Underground rivers or aquifers are very interesting to me.  Some of them are very large and flow for great distances before erupting from the earths surface as a spring of what is usually very fresh and pure water.  Somehow they remind me of the earths arterial system if you can image that.  (Hmmmmm...  Living water??)  For those who are interested, this piece was created using a sponge to apply the color field, a small squeeze bottle for the cracks and a small foam brush to "dab" in the metallic jewels under the water.  The water was poured onto the panel in layers to create a more organic look though it is hard to see the layers in this photo.  The painting is coated with two layers of liquitex acrylic gloss varnish.

Solar Storm (20 x 30 acrylic on canvas)

This painting was inspired by the Mayan Prophecy of doom for 12/2012 as well as the Bad Company song Burnin' Sky.  (I told you the 70's influenced me!!)  I was asked to paint this very quickly and as a demonstration of my techniques during the July first Friday artwalk outside of Randy Bacon Studio's and Figment gallery.  It was very hot and I had some serious competition as the painting cockroaches from the zoo were working just across from me. (really??) 

Since I was rushed I was using liquid acrylics, a credit card, squeeze bottles and paint squeezed straight from the tube onto the painting.  It was what you might call an observed exercise in automatic drawing, but with an idea hanging out in the back of my mind.??  I see a large citi-scape relected on water with the Burnin' Sky evidencing the fulfillment of both Mayan and Biblical prophecies as the sun reeks havoc on the earth and its inhabitants

Gemini Ponders Diety (36 x 79 acrylic on hollow core door panel)

This post is a little late as I finished the painting back in May then forgot to post it!  If you scroll down (or back or whatever) you will find its sister piece called Eviction Notice.  These pieces are very similar in that I painted the black symetrical (ink blot) outline over the background.  I like the quasi "pop art" vibe to these paintings, perhaps it is the boldness of the black with the crisp edges that make me feel that way.  The particular image in the painting has been represented in at least five of my works.  Look back at "My Brightest Idea" for an idea of what I am talking about. 

Since I am a Gemini and a Christian as well, this painting is somewhat autobiographical as it represents the artist meditating on his God, which is represented by the third eye in the upper part of each side of the composition.  In addition, the background colors take me back to the early seventies which definately had an influence on me during my youth.

Fade To Black (40 x 60 acrylic diptych on hollow core door panels)

This painting is what the late Bob Ross might call a "happy accident".  It started again, with two panels and a black squeeze bottle.  I didn't like the composition so I decided to try and scrub away the black lines with a large grouting sponge.  This created a semi black (and white) mess resembling a Franz Kline painting.  I liked it.  In fact I almost left it black and white but then decided to try adding some color.  To do this I used an old dish washing sponge.  You know the small yellow one with a green scrubby side...  This method started creating very thin layers of color which I added to over and over until it looked finished.  Then I brought the black sqeeze bottle out to finish it.  It is very different and one of the things I like about it is that I get to use the word Gestalt to describe it.  Thinking of this expressive word led me to the title.

Welcome To the Primaries

This painting started with a large (36 x 79) panel, some loud music and a black squeeze bottle.  After the lines were finished I took a credit card and pulled the black into the negative space.  As soon as it dried I realized that I wanted to keep this painting as minimalistic as possible with very little color.  As I applied the red and blue I began to think about the elections, rebublicans and democrats, blue donkeys and red elephants and so on.  Hence the use of primary colors and the title "Welcome to the Primaries".  This was also my first time to use GOLDEN acrylic paints.  The yellow is a single coat over the gesso which is remarkable.  I was very impressed to say the least. 

"...And Then Chiquita Bananas Hat Just Exploded!..."

I really don't know what is up with these titles lately.  Do you remember that old commercial and the song??  I always wondered what it might look like if her hat had an accident during filming.  I could go on and on regarding social commentary and advertising but for the sake of space just let is be known that this painting is meant to be satirical and whimsical.  As you will see from the next few paintings, I have discovered squeeze bottles.  I just love these things as they allow me to create outlines in a very fluid and organic method.  This is also my very first Diptych, or two panel painting and it is acrylic on hollow core door panels measuring 40 x 60 inches in total .  I think the white outlines, along with the bold colors, really help this painting to "pop".  I had a blast painting it and it started with using a black squeeze bottle to create an automatic drawing on the panels which then evolved as the painting went along.

The Heart Of Grace (36 x 40 acrylic on canvas with polymer coating) SOLD

Well I see that time does indeed fly by as it has been over two months since I last posted, so let's catch up now...  This painting "The Heart Of Grace" is my first "pour" painting.  (as apposed to some "splatter" paintings I have created) What I mean is that I actually poured the paint on the canvas and then manipulated it from there.  I used a spray bottle, gravity, a straw and what ever else I could think of to move the paint around the canvas.  I wanted to name this piece "The Alien Communicates Telepathically From His Heart Shaped Space Craft"  but wow, that's a mouthful so I decided on The Heart Of Grace  instead.  I also applied a coat of enviro-tech lite over the surface which really helped the colors to pop.  This painting is for sale and is on display at Hebrews Coffee in Springfield, MO.

Rush Hour (Circa 1950)

It has taken me days to name this painting!  I simply cannot get past the nostalgic feeling I get when I look at it and I feel like I am taking a trip in the "way back" machine.  (Some of you will get that)  There is a lot of movement and high energy in this painting.  I can almost hear the horns blaring and see the taxi's flying by in 1950's NYC.  I also experience just a touch of vertigo as I feel as if I am looking up at the sun drenched sky scrapers looming over the city.  There is no place on earth like New York City, it's as if it has a life of its own.  I have been there several times and each trip is as exciting as the last, however, I am always glad to escape the mad rush and settle back into my quiet surroundings here in the Ozarks.

Untitled Acrylic Abstract

This little painting is small (11 x 14) however it holds great meaning for me.  It represents a total liberation from any pre-conceived notions of what people expect my art to be.  I am very excited by the artistic liberty that I experienced during the creation of this piece.  The entire painting only took about 20 minutes to create and not once during the creative process did I experience that all too common "fear of failure" nor did I have even the most fleeting thought of what it was supposed to be.  (I know one of you out there is saying "well, that's obvious" and that's ok...)  Honestly, with each painting that I create now, I am experiencing more and more of this emancipation and I have to say that it feels pretty good.  I hope you are experiencing liberty in your life today because with liberty comes peace and through peace we can most assuredly say that we are "free at last, free at last"!

CERN #2 Protons In Motion

Ok, here is painting number two in the CERN series.  I think I liked the first one a little better but my wife likes this one.  I should mention that in this series the only tool I used to apply the paint was a credit card, specifically one of those clearish AMEX cards the "MAN" sends you in the mail.  I liked it because it was a little thinner and more flexible than a regulard card which allowed me to have a little more control over the paint.  If you look at the color pallet of the three paintings in this series you will see a representation of the fall, winter and spring seasons.  This was purely unintentional but it could make for a good story later while viewing them together in a gallery somewhere...

CERN #1 Particles Accelerating

Number one in a series of three (so far) paintings representing the large Hadron Collider at CERN in Switzerland.  I am fascinated by the mysteries of the sub-atomic world!  I mean what is a quark really and what will ever happen if they find their so called God particle the Higgs Boson.  Maybe science will be able to explain what holds the nucleus of an atom together then.  Now they call it the "strong nuclear force" and in my opinion they should just say "we aren't sure what holds a nucleus together".  I mean all those protons and neutrons packed into a tight dense mass at the center of every atom.  Protons are all positively charged and should repel each other, but, they don't.  Herein lies the great mystery.  Stay tuned in the years to come to see what develops or... You might read Colossians 1:16-17 paying particular attention to the word "consist".  I think the scientists had it right back in the early days of sub-atomic exploration when they simply called this phenomenon: "The God Force"!!

Now Showing.....

Less than a year from quitting my job to become a full time professional artist, I have been accepted into FRESH Gallery in downtown Springfield, Missouri!  In addition (yes, there's more!) I am also currently showing at HeBrews Coffee and have a show set for June at Randy Bacon's gallery which is a premier venue here in Springfield.  These are exciting times and I hope that I am able to "spring forward" so to speak from the momentum of these events.  While I can certainly see my work evolving and my skills increasing I have not discovered my exact niche yet.  I believe this is because of the years of repressed art that are still pouring out of me!  I see my work as surreal, POP-ish and as pure abstract expressionism at times.  Maybe I won't develope a niche and that will be what sets me apart from the rest.  Time will tell...  Stay tuned and watch for posts of new art!

Abnormal Brain Activity

Sometimes I wonder if these explanations are a benefit or if they take away from the air of mystery surrounding the art.  I once heard it said that if your art tells a story then it is no longer true art but has become an illustration.  Maybe my art lives in a gap between these two schools of thought or maybe I just over think things...

I have been dreaming a lot lately and it seems that many of my dreams involve me being back in the Navy.  I show up on the base and report for duty only to discover that I don't have any uniforms.  In the latest dream all of the submarines were blue except for one really small one which was red.  Now when you figure that out please send me an email.  Until then I hope you enjoy this small 7.5 x 10.5" painting that to me, illustrates the activities taking place inside of my head during a dream.  My dream creatures float leisurely amidst a flurry of neural activity and seem to be in no hurry at all to go anywhere or be anything in particular.  Though they may be unusual looking they are content to simply be who and what they are.  I like that thought...  It is a good thing to be content, to be comfortable in my own skin just the way God made me and in just the place he wants me to be.  I could never fit into anyone elses mold anyway so why waste the effort.... 

"My Brightest Idea" - 36"x48"x1.5" - Acrylicy on Canvas - $525.00 SOLD

This is my fourth and final installment of the "Bright Idea" series.  Acrylic on canvas and measuring 36" x 48", this piece represents my struggle to break free of convention and capture that which truly inspires me, or most accurately identifies who I am as an artist.  The irony is that I am a Gemini and as such it is nearly impossible to hang a single label on my work.  (Look back at "Green With Envy" to see what I mean.)  I know that most artists develop a "style" and with that it becomes easy to identify their work visually.  It seems that we the viewer find a certain comfort in that ability.  I am just not sure that is the type of artist I want to be however.  More accurately, even if that is what I wanted I am not sure I have the patience or ability to settle into that mold.

The face in this painting is the artist.  He has two eyes but several more eyes scurry about near the bottom of the painting looking and searching for that next bit of inspiration.  Hoping again for that moment of discovery when the light bulb (represented as the bright idea) shines forth and illuminates my way to create something truly inspirational.  The large eye at the top should not be overlooked for it represents everyone around me (and God) who watches what I am doing and what I am creating.  Even though I try constantly to be true to myself it is very difficult at times not to conform to the expectation of others.  I am holding my own so far...  Otherwise all of my paintings would be topped with a layer of glitter just to make my wife happy!

Elemental Nobility

This is a 24" x 79" acrylic, painted on a refurbished hollow core door.  I am really enjoying painting on these door panels.  They are light weight, easy to hang, very durable, inexpensive and do not need to be framed.  In addition they are repurposed and that makes me smile.  Everthing and everyone deserves a second chance!

Once again I have tried to blend art and science into something meaningful.  There are six noble gasses and they are all, for the most part, inert and non-reactive.  I like to think this infers that they "play well with others".  In addition to showing the gasses floating lightly in the atmosphere I have included two physics equations.  The first on the left is the terminal velocity equation for objects in free fall.  There have been many times in my life when I have felt like I was "free falling" and it is comforting to know that even in these frightening moments, our life is ordered and has purpose.  The second equation is that of gravitational attraction between two objects and it is meant to be allegorical of the attraction between two people.  I am afraid however, that the equation for this human connection would be much more complex!

"Elemental Energies" 36"x79"x1.5" - Acrylic on hollow core door panel - $625.00 SOLD

When I was 22 I enlisted in the US Navy.  I ended up going to Nuclear Power School and working as a chemist on a fast attack submarine.  I was very interested in radiation, the way sub-atomic particles interacted with each other and the subsequent energies that were released.  This was a huge departure from the early bohemian lifestyle I had been leading as a starving artist and college student.  When I underwent the psych battery that all potential submariners have to pass, I found that I was over 80% right brained.  Recently, after the navy and 25 years in the corporate world I was tested again and this time the reults were much different.  I tested at almost a perfect 50-50 percentage between being right brained and/or left brained.  That's just not right...

What this has left me with, is a strong desire to incorporate science into my art.  With Elemental Energies (36" x 79" acrylic on refurbished door panel) I have tried to balance the beauty of color and composition with the incredible and sometimes destructive power of the atom.  In the mushroom cloud we see the energies of atomic particles illustrated (no, they are not sperm cells) and the elements listed as if there were part of the periodic table, are mostly resulting isotopes from fission reactions from an atomic bomb or nuclear reactor.  Perhaps the most powerful element of all is listed in the lower right hand corner; (Hu) or the "human" element.  Without this human element there would be no potential for the generation of almost limitless energy or sadly, such unbelievable destruction.

"Eviction Notice" 24"x79"x1.5" - Acrylic on hollow core door panel - $525.00 SOLD

 

This piece is the beginning of a new series of paintings that will be painted on re-purposed hollow core door panels.  We are fortunate to have a Habitat for Humanity here in Springfield and I am able to purchase these used doors for a very reasonable price and at the same time stay the course in my efforts to create "green" artworks.  Going green isn't about "saving the planet" for me.  I believe the earth has and will continue to protect itself from all influences be they natural or human.  I am a big believer however, in not being wasteful, which I am sure can be traced back to the influence my mother had on me as I was growing up.  She herself grew up in the depression years and the impact of those years never left her.  

Eviction Notice is a 24" x 79" acrylic piece that started out as a very small ballpoint pen doodle on a piece of scrap paper.  I created a mirror image of the drawing and blew it up to fit on the large door panel.  As I began to paint the figures in the foreground I noticed that in creating the mirror image I also created a new form in the center that I wasn't expecting.  To me, it appeared as a frontal view of a serpent's head complete with fangs.  With that in mind, the other two figures quickly evolved into representations of Adam and Eve in the Garden.  As the story goes, the serpent appeared and beguiled Eve who then disobeyed God.  Adam followed suit and they were soon "evicted" from their paradise.