Ascending Into the Blue 20"x28"x3" - Acrylic on repurposed wooden shipping crate - $275.00 - SOLD

This is an acrylic 20 x 28 that I painted on an old shipping crate that is about 3 inches deep.  In the early days of abstract expressionism some artists (Franz Kline, Gerhard Richtor, Pollock) started making a big impact on the viewer by painting very large pieces of art.  Some artists rebelled against this stating that they felt they could achieve the same effect with much smaller paintings (some less than 20") by simply controlling the scale of the images in the work.  These small abstract works later became known as "suitcase paintings" and are still on display and very popular today.  I will confess that I am drawn to looking at as well as creating large pieces of art.  However, large pieces do not always suit the needs of the collector due to either space or budgetary constraints.  So here is my attempt (along with CERN #1, #2, Untitled and Rush Hour) to create my own version of an abstract suitcase painting.

"Sequence" - 24"x24"x1.5" - Acrylic on repurposed hollow core door panel - $125.00 SOLD

Yes, I admit that it is strange, but the inspiration for this painting came from mosquito larvae in a bucket of water.  It has been reported that the similarity between human and chimp DNA is between 95-98.5%.  Well, before you start thinking that maybe evolution is true, you should know that scientist also claim a 60% similarity between human DNA and that of a fruit fly or mosquito!  All DNA is made up in combinations of sequences of threes and these are called triplets.  Which of course brings us back to the magic number three...  Everything that has ever been made was created by Jesus Christ and this is a true statement if you choose to believe your Bible.  So just because there are basic similarities between my DNA and that of a monkey or fruit fly does not necessarily mean that I used to be a monkey or a fruit fly.  There is also a 75% similarity between the DNA of humans and nematode worms.  So what is it then, did I come from a monkey or a worm?  Or perhaps the Bible IS true and we were all created independantly by God.

"The Space Between Us" - 30" x 34" x 1.5" - Acrylic on hollow door panel - $425.00 SOLD

There is a certain amount of repetition in the universe.   Spacial relationships are governed by unseen forces such as gravity and electromagnitism.  The earth rotates around the sun at a distance of about 93 million miles.  If the earth was moving faster its orbit would be even further out from the suns surface.  This painting however, is not about planetary objects, but speaks to the spaces between sub-atomic particles.  If a single hydrogen atom were enlarged to the size of the earth, with its nucleus of a single proton in the center of the earth; then the electron orbiting the nucleus would be located somewhere out in the earths atmosphere!  I have read that if all of the matter in the universe were compacted to the point to where there was no longer any free space between the individual particles; then the resulting object, if shaped into a cube and placed in the center of our sun, would reach out to where its sides would be located at the orbit of Mars.  This means that we are surrounded by and made up of, a LOT of empty space!  Did you know that a neutron star has been compressed so tightly by gravity that its core is a giant diamond?  Twinkle twinkle little star, how I wonder what you are.  Up above the world so high, like a diamond in the sky...

"Precept Upon Precept" - 38.5" x 72" - Acrylic (Diptych) - 1200.00 US

There is a passage in Isaiah that reads as follows:  "Isa 28:10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:"   This verse speaks to the way we learn.  Knowledge is not given all at once, but instead we learn slowly and progressively.  We build on previous successes and we also learn from our mistakes.  We start with a foundation and then build upon it.  This is the given process whether growing in worldly knowledge or in spiritual wisdom.  We lay a foundation then start adding layers.  This painting is a representation of that process.  Layer upon layer of paint, building to the finished painting.  You will notice that I kept the color pallet to a minimum which is always difficult for me!  I wanted the structure to speak more than the color in this piece but that yellow still has quite a voice...  The numbers and symbols represent the contribution mathematics and language have had upon our ability to grow intelectually.  I believe they represent the "blocks" with which all of our learning experiences are built with.  Will we build wisely?  If we allow God to become our foundation and build upon Him, then the answer is yes...

"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!!

"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.

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"!