NikkoStudio: 2011

2 new works in progress on paper.

Just trying out some new paper to see how they respond to acrylic and ink and all manner of mark making devices. So far they seem to be holding up pretty well. Both of these held up to aggressive scrubbing with various brushes, and had no problem withstanding violent, heavy-handed gestures with Conte' Crayon on a surface misted with water. Of course, they were primed with Gesso, mixed with matte medium, so moisture won't soak into the paper.

Two sold paintings have arrived at their new home :-)

The gentleman who purchased these is just at the tail end of a remodel and is going to send me some shots of them once the work is finished and the paintings have been hung.

And no post would be complete without a nod to my obsession with brushes. I just swung by Utrecht in Berkeley yesterday to pick up some printmaking paper and some bright pink paint, and these little guys just jumped into my basket. By the time I noticed I was already at the register and didn't have the heart to put the them back :-) They would have been very sad.

Just a quick product shout out. Utrecht brand brushes (not sure who actually makes them) are some of the best quality brushes for the price I have ever used. There paint is awesome as well (they actually make their own) and very affordable for artist quality paint.

Works in progress.

Apparently, alien life forms not only exist throughout the cosmos, they also live inside my head. Just a handful of the way too many works currently in progress.

Late night in the studio.

Just packing it in for the evening after spending about four hours putting down some quick works on paper. I have no idea what will become of any of these, but I like painting sometimes with the attitude that what I'm working on are just sketches. No pressure to achieve anything great. Just paint fast, don't stop and whatever happens, happens. Actually, I would love to paint like that all the time, but it's something I'm still working toward.

Working out some ideas in my 9x12 inch mixed media sketchbook.

Another quick idea in the 9x12 inch mixed media sketchbook.

Trying out some ideas on American Masters printmaking paper 22x30 inches. The individual sheets were 60% off, so I picked up 30 sheets. I should probably get more. I love this paper for painting because of the smooth finish and the fact that it holds up really well to water media. Very little buckling. Still, I put down a coat of gesso, mixed with a bit of matte medium.

Leaving for their new home.

Just a few shots of a couple of paintings that are being framed prior to them being sent to their forever home. I would say make a joke about empty nest syndrome, but I have so many more paintings stacked up in my studio, It looks like a space occupied by someone with hoarding disorder.

New frame design. The blocks in the corners allow the painting to set into the frame at the correct depth, as well as add structural support.

Just waiting for the glue to dry.

Double checking to make sure it fits correctly (not sure what I would do if it didn't).

Shot from the back (really?).

And after adding the center wall mount.

Oh god, my babies!!! They are all grown up and leaving home.

New Abstract painting - Beginning painted while blindfolded

Not meant to be any sort of impressive stunt painting, just an interesting exercise. I like the idea of beginning my paintings with as much randomness as possible, and what better way to be random than to not be able to see what I'm doing. I have no Idea where this is all headed, but I figured, why not? I might find this an interesting idea to pursue further, or I could find that it's the most hair-brained thing I've ever done.