A Brighter Path

"Path to Prosperity" - 5 x 7" - oil

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A few days ago I hit a brick wall (figuratively speaking).  I started second guessing every painting that I wanted to start.  I hadn't even put a mark on the board before convincing myself how badly it would turn out.  It's easy to talk someone else through a mental block but it's totally different when you're left alone with your own discouraging thoughts.   

I was well into a few hours of berating myself before I was able to tell myself "what do you have to lose?"  Sure, I could lose a few hours of work time and maybe some paint but that's small potatoes  I wasn't in danger of losing my self respect or dignity since I lost those years ago.  Even if it's a bad painting I'm likely to walk away having learned something.  All in all the pros outweighed the cons and the painting above is what came of it.  

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Study Habits

"Aran Island #7 (study)"  - 8" x 10" - oil

Evaluating your art work on a consistent basis is extremely important for artists.  It's one of the few things that I pride myself on but recently my focus has been on the painting process.  After thoroughly looking over some of my old pieces, I've noticed that my major shortcomings start with my lack of preparation.  My best pieces have stemmed from good studies.

Looking back, I can recall several instances where I'd jumped right into a 30x40" painting with no real game plan.  I may have had a few reference photos and a vague idea of what I wanted out of the painting but that's just not enough for me to create something worthwhile.  Often the pressures of deadlines play into this "hurry up and go" mentality but I've decided that I can't let that affect the end result.  I've got to work on my habits when preparing for a painting and if this means that I have to slow down a little... then so be it.

"Habit is habit, and not to be flung out of the window by any man, but coaxed downstairs a step at a time." - Mark Twain

What Labor Laws

"Old Man Summer" - 5" x 7" - oil

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I don't usually like to have people helping me in my studio because I have my own way of doing things and I want it all done right. Nonetheless, last week I had a little extra help in the studio. For the most part, things went smoothly but of course there were a few bumps in the road. I found myself doing more teaching than anything. This kid didn't know how to sand panels, use photoshop or even how to use a circular saw. He was more interested in playing fetch with my dog than anything but by the end of the week he was running the place. Oh...did I mention that he's my godson and eleven years old?

The above piece is my entry into this weeks Different Strokes from Different Folks Challenge. This may be the last challenge that I participate in for a while until I can get the works for my November show ready.

Steven and the Traveling Studio

"Nature's Fall" - 5" x 7" - oil

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I was reading an issue of Art Calendar a few months ago that focused on artists getting freelance work as illustrators. Getting work can be difficult but how you handle the process is even more important. Unlike creating work for yourself, with illustration you're often working to cater someone else's schedule. This often requires long hours, a wonky schedule and patience. I rarely pursue illustration work these days because of my fine art focus but it's nice every now and then.

So a few weeks ago I put everything on hold for a freelance project that came my way. Although it forced me to put most of my work on hold it was totally worth it. My project began shortly after Memorial Day weekend. For the most part the project went smooth because I was fortunate enough to work with a friend (hooray Summer). There were several revisions in the sketch phase before I got the green light to work on the final painting. Everything was on schedule until the day before we had to get on the road. I had just finished the painting when I got the call that some major changes were needed. What can you do? No point in having a hissy fit.

The project needed to go to print soon and so I took the show on the road. I could have postponed the trip but I had several obligations that I had to honor in Richmond too. I decided to take my paints, brushes, my laptop and lastly my scanner to upload the image to my ftp site. After a few hours of painting in the hotel room, I was able to get it all done and sent to the client. It put a little hiccup in the trip but these are the things that you have to do sometimes.

Seeing is Believing

"On the Trail" - 6" x 6" - oil

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So let me clear up the bridezilla comment that I made in my last post. No, I did not get married...yet. It's about Bridezilla the television show and the start of a wonderful weekend in Richmond, Va. So here's the story.

It was slow day for viewing television until Evelyn and I found ourselves hooked on a Bridezilla marathon. I've never seen such a train wreck...but anyway. It was shortly after an episode where the bride and groom found themselves short a best man and a bridesmaid when I got the call. It was fellow artist Clinton Helms calling with an important question...would I be his best man? The timing of his call was ironic but I of course said yes.

Clinton and I have known each other for about twelve years now. We survived the grueling art program at VCU together and even roomed together throughout our masters program. There are several wild and crazy stories that I could tell but I'll keep it rated PG. During those graduate years at Marywood University he often assured me that he would NEVER get married again. Each time I politely nodded and said ok. So when he told me last year that he had met the one, I knew that if there was going to be a wedding I've got to be there...if for nothing but to see it with my own eyes.

(Fast forward) The wedding was just beautiful despite a thunderstorm the day before, a flying patio set and crazy guy named Tony. Together Clinton and Ella have formed C and E Arts Studios. The wedding was one of the many highlights on my weekend trip to Virginia.

Lesson: Never say never.

Go to your Happy Place

"Aran Island #5"

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The past few weeks have been extremely busy with creating works for upcoming shows as well as a few commissions. I'm certainly not complaining. Often when these hectic times come about I tend to think about where I'd like to go for a break. The number one spot so far is Inishmore Ireland. The island is part of a group of three islands called The Aran Islands. The painting above is one of the sights seen from Dun Aengus, a popular fort that sits on the edge of a cliff. If I ever retire...that's where you'll find me.

Back to You Ed

"The Hopper House" - 6" x 6" - oil

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Last week was a slow news week for me. With a couple of sales, I can report that the Art at the Mill event in Berryville, VA was fairly successful. I had reservations about entering the show again because I hadn't had any sales from the three previous times that I participated. Like so many of these events, it takes time to build up a reputation/fan base before buyers/collectors start looking for you.

Clair Huxtable 2.0

"A Better Day" - 5" x 7" - oil

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I've always had an unusual take on Mother's Day. I'm not going to start bad mouthing mothers because mom is one of the very best. She puts up with all of my shenanigans. She almost always has a grill cheese ready for me when I come over. She supported my career as an artist even when many laughed at the idea. Mother's Day to me isn't about showing her that you love her and all of that mushy stuff but more importantly, for those of you who have siblings, it's about upstaging your brother or sister. It's about turning mom into an emotional pile of goo and realizing that you've won her over once again. I don't know what my brother has in store this year but I think that this year is mine. Here's to all of those moms that support the arts.

An Old Artist who Lived in a Shoe

"In the Clear" - 5" x 7" - oil

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This past weekend I put aside an hour of time to work on my painting inventory. In the past all of the information about my paintings or their whereabouts was tucked away in the dusty part of my brain. Keeping all of that info in my head was like keeping up with a school full of kids single handily. As often as I paint I'm surprised at how long I've been able to keep up with all of these kids...I mean paintings.

Since I've been entering more shows and competitions, this spreadsheet thing seemed helpful. I'm certainly not a spreadsheet guy so for some assistance I hired/forced the services of Cindy, our local spreadsheet guru. Now I know where my paintings are, what's sold as well as how many pieces I've painted since last year (ridiculous). Hoorray for Spreadsheets!

For all of the Marywood alumni, checkout the back page of the recent alumni magazine before it finds it's way to the trash.

Stone Cold Fox

"Diana" - 5" x 10" - oil
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This painting is my contribution to the Different Strokes from Different Folks challenge. I wish I had spent more time on this one but the deadline caught up with me. The challenge this week was to paint the marble sculpture of' "A Companion of Diana." With all of the paperwork and larger pieces that I've been working on, I was seriously tempted to skip this challenge. Then I thought to myself..."what am I a slacker?" I can spare a couple of hours to work on this challenge.

The Trashman Cometh

"Sunset Dr." - 5" x 7" - oil

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As of late, I've been working on some larger works and therefore have not had time to work on studies until a few days ago. Maybe I shouldn't refer to some of these as studies. Most of the small works that I post I paint with no intention of making a larger and more finished piece. Often they're done for experimentation. This is one of those experiments and stems from one of my many, "where does that road go" driving expeditions in Westerville.

One State at a Time

"Sound of Music" - 5" x 7" - oil

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On our last trip to Nashville I thought it would be nice to go to some of the local art galleries and maybe drum up some business. During a small break in the day we found ourselves walking downtown and miles away from the galleries that I had looked up online. After walking for about 10 minutes we saw The Arts Company. It says art so we've got to check it out.

We walked around the gallery for a couple of minutes before being taken upstairs to see additional artwork. On the elevator ride back downstairs I met a lady and her daughter. Yadda, yadda, yadda, I gave her one of my postcards and she began to rave. It wasn't long before I was talking to the owner of the gallery. She seemed very interested in my work.

As soon as I was able to get to my computer, I sent a formal submission packet to her. She immediately took to the work and now I'm on my way back to Nashville to drop off a few pieces for their New Works show. If all goes well I'm going to work on more pieces, like the one above, geared specifically towards Nashville.

Tag Along

"Tenn #2" - 6" x 6" - oil

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I've been tagged again! I don't remember tag being this much fun as a kid. Fellow artists Chris Beck and Kerri Settle both honored me with the Passion for Painting Award. No, I didn't campaign for this award. I really and truly just love to paint...it's a gift and a curse. Both Chris and Kerri are extremely talented artists and it's great to be in their company.

According to the rules of Tag, I'm suppose to name seven things that I love and seven artists that I admire and are deserving of the Passion for Painting Award. So here goes something...

Seven things I love...

1. Evelyn
2. Brodie
3. A good nights sleep
4. Ma & Pa Walker
5. A finished painting
6. A sold painting
7. My friends that look after me

Seven Artists that I admire...

1. Jennifer Phillips
2. Suze Ford
3. Lauren Maurer
4. Wyanne Chase
5. Youqing(Eugene) Wang
6. Shari Pastore
7. Stephen Magsig

Out of my Element

"Boogie" - 5" x 7" - oil

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Currently we're in New Jersey visiting friends and family. Since I'm literally out of my element I thought that it would be appropriate to post a painting that isn't "the norm" for me. As if I don't have enough to do. This painting is my contribution to the Different Strokes from Different Folks challenge. It's nice to step out of your comfort zone every now and then even if that means getting out of the state or taking on an unfamiliar subject. Once I'm back home I'll post some of the pieces that I shipped earlier this week to Virginia.

Daily Double

"867" - 8" x 10" - oil

This painting of a black Angus cow was motivated by an up coming cow art competition. If you haven't figured it out by now I'm in love with rural America. I could have gone with a dairy cow but I see them all too often. Very similar to most of my tractor/ vehicle paintings I chose to paint this cow at a profile. Even with portraits of people, I find the most powerful and distinguished ones are taken at a profile.

"Sushi" - 6" x 6" - oil

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This painting of sushi was a result of my participation in the Different Strokes from Different Folks challenge. If you're not familiar with this blog, I'll explain. Every two weeks a photo is posted and artists are welcome to paint from the reference photo and submit it to be posted later. It's fascinating to see so many different takes on the same reference. I had planned on participating earlier but I was either too late or uninterested in the given subject. If you're a fan of sushi then place your bid.

A Part & Full Time Job

"The James #2" - 5" x 7" - oil

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Here's my second crack at painting the James River. This view of the James is from Oregon Hill in Richmond, VA. I'd like to work on a few more of these "river paintings" if time permits. These days my worst enemy is time. If I could I would stay up for days at a time painting until I eventually pass out while reaching for one more cup of coffee. Ideally this sounds great but it would put all of my other obligations at risk. As if I don't have enough to do, I'd like to make time to obtain representation at a few new galleries...sooner than later. We'll see what develops...back to you Bob.

"Don't serve time, make time serve you" - William Sutton

Not to Mention

"Shine On" - 5" x 7" - oil

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This painting stems from one of my many drives to DC. During each trip I would pass by one of the few views of farmland on that strip of 95 that wasn't blocked off by towering trees. The land itself is nothing spectacular but during my last trip the sky was just awesome.

Aside from working on a new batch of studies, I received a call last week from the Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles. The call was to inform me that I got an honorable mention for my illustration titled "The Strong." Did I deserve it...who knows. Am I honored...of course that's why they call it an honorable mention.

"If third place were first I'd only be runner up."

Old Man River

"The James" - 5" x 7" - oil

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The last time I was in Richmond I did some exploring of the city that I grew up in. Believe it or not, in all of the years that I lived in Richmond I never once took advantage of walking the suspension pedestrian bridge to Belle Isle. Things like this aren't special until you move 500 miles away. Despite a windy day, I got some great shots of the city skyline and the James River. This is the first study that stemmed from that day out. I'm currently working on a larger version of this painting at 30" x 40".

Making a Eustace out of a Mole Hill?

"Tenn" - 6" x 6" - oil
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I'm not exactly sure as to where this painting is from. I can only narrow it down to Tennessee during a road trip to Nashville. I don't get to see many mountains, or even bumps in the road, here in central Ohio so it's a real treat for me when i do see them. I'd like to paint this piece on a larger scale sometime in the near future but it's among a long list of paintings that I'd like to work on.

Shifting the attention away from myself...I don't often take the opportunity to toot the horn of my friends/archenemies but I feel like this is worthwhile. My good friend/rival David Leonard recently participated in a contest titled "Your Eustace" for the New Yorkers 84th anniversary. His piece was proudly selected to be one of the top twelve winners. The winners are currently online at the New Yorker website (David's piece is #2) and will be in the Feb 9/16 anniversary issue later this week. It's good to know that all of my demeaning, harsh, petty and destructive criticism of him has paid off.

An All You Can Paint Buffett

"So Low" - 5" x 7" - oil

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Well now that I'm back from the Booth Museum and the VMFA, it's back to work for me. That trip gave me a lot to think about as far as the future and the direction that I want to go take my work. It's all very exciting but honestly I think that my mental plate is near full. Wouldn't it make sense for me to take a break...yes. Does this mean that I'm going to take a break...nope. I've still got a few freelance projects to work on and a "big show" in November of this year that will include between 30 to 40 pieces. I'll find the energy...I always do.