SACRED CIRCLE

Circle # 4
acrylic on canvas
6 ft x 5 ft

Happy Halloween!

Today I finished my fourth circle painting started in September.  This series was inspired by a yoga class I took last November while at the Vermont Studio Center.  In this class we performed our yoga practice within the circle of a large, beautifully made hoop - I think it was cedar as it smelled wonderful. 

Based on that class I was inspired to make these paintings due to the healing benefits of "being" in a circle.  Each day that I am in the studio I make a circle and alternate the colors of black and white acrylic.  It has become a studio ritual.  Tomorrow I hope to post more images of the progression on this painting.  

As my circles take on a life of their they become a journey.

69th MEMBERS PRIZE SHOW

If I Leave Now
mixed media/paper
30 x 22

My painting, "If I Leave Now," from my Journey Series, is hanging at the University Place Gallery on 124 Mt Auburn Street, Cambridge, MA.  This was accepted into the Cambridge Art Association 69th Members Prize Show juried by Kate McNamara, Director & Chief Curator Boston University Gallery.  I have applied to this show the last few years and and am happy to finally have a painting accepted.

The show is up until November 2, 2013.  It is a very strong show and I am honored to be among such talented artists.  My painting is hanging next to Kathleen Gerdon Archer's digtal photograph titled: "As If It Had Never Been."  She is a fellow member in the Rocky Neck Gallery.

This is the painting to the right of mine.  I can't remember the artist's name but I like being sandwiched between these two artworks.  It is nice to be among friends and meet new ones through art!  

FRAMING

Tracing the Journey
mixed media/paper

I am in the process of framing this painting Tracing the Journey which is actually two sheets of 300 lb CP watercolor paper. Once framed it will measure the same as it is now 30 x 44.  This work will not be behind glass or a mat and when on the wall it will look like it is floating.  The process is a bit labor intensive but once this is finished it will definately be worthwhile.  More details to come.  In the meantime wish me luck!

NEW CLASS

I have been invited to teach my class: Creating a Meaningful Series, at the Mother Brook Arts and Community Center in Dedham starting on Wednesday, October 16th.  This will be a 6 week class from 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM.  I hope you can join me for a fun, inspiring and creative workshop and see how your paintings skills are strenghened by working in series.

Mother Brook Arts is located on 123 High Street at the former Avery Elementary School - a very cool place! 

This is the course description:

Develop your graphic language by creating a series.  Learn how to create a comprehensive body of work that explores an idea, form, visual sensation or feeling; explore and expand on a concept through variation on a theme; develop a personal expression and signature style. We will do painting exercises to support creating a series.  Class time will allow students to paint with individual attention.  Each session ends with a critique and class discussion.  Watermedia.

For more information contact Mother Brook Arts: info@motherbrookarts.org 

SEPTEMBER CIRCLE

When I finally got back into the studio in early September I started a new circle painting on a large rectangle of canvas.  (This was the end of the roll.)  The first circle of 9/10 is black acrylic paint Golden's Open Carbon Black with a lot of Golden's Open Acrylic Medium Gloss.

The first thing I do once I am at the studio is to make a circle.  The canvas is flat on the floor and I stand in the center pouring paint moving 180 degrees.  This is after a few days. The door helps to show the size of the piece.

Yesterday I made a large black circle and then folded it up to get some interesting movement in the paint.  I try to keep the sides from touching but it becomes challenging moving this large canvas about and this manhandling creates the random mark.

A detail.  This circle will go through October.  A goal is the be there everyday this next month making circles.  Wish me luck! 

STILL SCRIBBLING

Mixed media on paper
40 x 44

In spite of a seemingly full time marketing job I have been able to get back to the studio to play.  I am still scribbling away on this painting while I consider my next project and direction.  It feels good to just work with lots of materials.

TODAY

Scribbles
(work in progress)
mixed media on paper
40 x 44

After going to the UPS office to ship artwork and pick up a painting at Concord Art Association I finally arrived at the studio at 11 AM.  It seems like days since I have painted and I was feeling anxious about that.  Still, I spent a lot of time puttering: sorting paintings, organizing art supplies, taking inventory of paints, gesso-ing paper & hanging unfinished work on the walls.  Procrastinating.  Finally around 3 PM I tacked the gessoed paper to the wall and made a mark.  Then I made another mark, and so on and finally I was painting.  I had no goal except to experiment with the tools I had on hand: Caran d'Ache crayons, India ink, watercolors and graphite.  Sometimes I just have to hang out at the studio for hours before painting begins. By the time I left,  I felt like it had been a very productive time at the studio today.