skip to main |
skip to sidebar
The new priming method I've adopted, of seven coats-sanded to a smooth finish, is proving something of an experiment for me. The way that the paint sits on the surface initially is a little disconcerting, as I'm used to the approach of working on a more porous surface, allowing for a smoother finish. Its too early to say if I'm convinced by the method, but some of the darker tonalities do pop a little better.
I'll tell a little of my working method:I laid an first underlay of diluted oil first, for low lights, using burnt umber, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, cobalt blue and black, with a dab of Titanium white for good measure, laid on liberally with a #4 flat sable.
working in the mid to dark tones,in glazes and impasto, the amplifying and camouflaging begins. Added some perma green into the stew, to difffuse the white, as the background will be indoor lighting. I have some great ambition for this one, and it will contain some peripheral elements to tie the concept, such as a little girl praying in the foreground. 
In other news, I have had confirmation that I shall be teaching a class in August, entitled-An Introduction to Fantastic Art-suffice to say that I am putting together all the details, and will relay them here soon.
I also may have gotten my last piece accepted for the show at Comicon-I say I may, because I've not had the official confirmation as yet, as the organisers have been coping with some technical issues, but the accounts dept there has contacted me for my details, so the signs are favourable. Fingers crossed for that one.
One of the reasons I was relieved of some reprieve this weekend, was because I have been going stir crazy, sequestered in front of my computer, rejigging the layout on my homepage, The banner links are much easier to navigate from, and along with the new current flash movie, I'll be adding two additional rotating banners. I'm hoping to push my prints more, as sales through my site have of late- in all honesty- been virtually none existent. Any feedback on that front is most welcome. I'm also keen to know what it is current and potential subscribers would like to see more of on my blog. More works in Progress? A journey through past works and my thoughts on them? The shenanigans of my pinhead cat? I welcome your thoughts.
The considerable July heat in southern Cali, is something my English blood will never be accustomed to-like the mercury in a thermometer, I am irascible in boiling temperatures when cooked up in glass case. Yesterday we were able to escape for a few hours beneath the shade of an oak tree in Balboa Park, and gorge on Brie, Havarti, Crackers and Strawberries. Blissed out, in between naps I revisited the book-'Living the Artists Life'-by Paul Dorrell, which you can see from the photo, is what I am doing.
It's a wonderfully unpretentious, sometimes pithy approach to the artists lot, and the brass tacks, piss and vinegar of being one, and if you haven't read it yet, then I highly reccomend it.
It's something that has consumed me of late, as I hasten towards the weeks end, and start the journey of going freelance. Exciting times, and I relish the uncertainty.
This is my third stab at this piece, which originally found itself as almost a throwaway concept, about the absurdity of dressing death up. Of course I felt I'd said it much better with Axiom, so this was my satirical approach, almost an Alfred E Neuman version from MAD magazine. Of course, whenever I'd show the piece at events, it got a lot of attention, so I've finally decided to work it up properly, with the exception that I've developed it to a further level, and may include an additional dimension to it.
Anyway, here is the sketchbook version, with the rough markings on canvas below. Incidently, when my daughter-Emma-first saw the piece, she said the little bunny characters painted on the skull looked like something called 'Miffy'. My intention had been to do a Hello Kitty style character, but thought I'd create my own . Apparently someone got there before me. How bizarre.
Following on from Sundays Exhibit at Thumbprint, there was a very nice video which popped up on my Facebook from the event. Thankfully, I appear in the background, for a few seconds (although I was interviewed that day, which should surface sometime soon) its a lovely momento.
The Video is Here
It has been noted-and not just by myself-that if their is any art scene at all in San Diego, then it is largely driven by tourists looking for souvenir tat. However, if the turnout at Thumbprint (arguably, San Diego's premier gallery for emerging talent) is anything to go by, then there is an audience out there for something more than diluted seascapes and blooms, because I am glad to report that the patronage was healthy and enthusiastic throughout the day.
My indebted thanks to all of the lovely people who stopped by to meet and greet, I am always grateful for the support, the interest and encouragement.
In particular, my thanks to Johnny, Nomad, my wife Lani, Christine and her family, Carolyn, Mark, Earl and Ernie,Katinka, David Goff (you read it right) and especially to our new friends, Diana and Jeff for the lovely company during dinner.
I am however duly exhausted, and barely capable of another syllable, so I shall leave you with the inevitable picture post.(Apologies for the blurriness, my camera spazzed on its setting.)
As an Englishman in the US, I hope it isn't too treacherous to my home country, to wish my fellow Americans a very happy Independence day.
Which is as good a segue as I can get, into announcing my own decision to become independent this week. In two short weeks, I shall be making the transition to working completely for myself, utilising the skills and experience as a illustrator and designer, that I've developed over the past twenty five years, to become an artist full time. I don't delude myself that it will be an easy road, I am living testament, that there isn't anything in life that does not come without considerable hardship, but I am very excited and optimistic at the prospect.
Tomorrow I shall be exhibiting at a wonderful new gallery, called Thumbprint for a themed group show called 'Nightmares and Dreamscapes.' The show starts at 2pm and runs until 7pm, and the venue is located at 3925 Ohio Street, San Diego, 92104. We'd love to see you there.
Today however, like a majority of people, we shall be celebrating with friends and family at a BBQ, but I thought I would share this magnificent illustration of one America's visionary founding fathers, produced by another of her greatest visionary sons-Norman Rockwell, whose technical mastery I have long revered, and whose body of work, perfectly encapsulates and reminds us of the goodness, hopes, dreams and aspirations that were once at the foundation of the place I have come to regard as home. 
I am showing three pieces at the Thumbprint Gallery in a week-
July 5th for a group show fittingly entitled 'Nightmares and Dreamscapes'-I'll post full details closer to the show date, but you can also see them by clicking the poster link.
I also had word that I am featured in a forthcoming catalog, called 'The Big Book of Contemporary Illustration' compiled by Martin Dawber. Although its not scheduled for release until September, Its available to preorder HERE.
As a young child, before a time when I was able to distinguish rationally the real from the unreal, before the onset of any real consciousness, as I understand it now- it seemed that the within the geography of my surroundings, everything held equal validation. Comic books, movies and television, all held as much sway with me as the miracle Bible stories relayed to me on a Sunday-that one seemed as plausible and tangible as the next. It's from that premise then,that this piece-Theothanatos VIII-False Prophets was borne.
With a climate of fear and political unrest, hastened by eight years of a madman in power, and a fervour for what some of the religious right call the rapture, I wanted to portray two cultural avatars of contemporary America,and pit them against each other in a sort of absurd heavweight WWF battle for power, in much the same way my childhood self would have capitulated such a scenario. In doing so, I took the Superman-a reatriated alien all American patriot,protector of the people, and the smiting Jesus of the book of Revelation,intent on the destruction of the world, and laid bare the modern paradox of a church indivisible from state-with a portrayal that by its very nature, and in its most basic terms, provokes the viewer to allegience in favor one over the other.
The banners epiphet is in latin, and is a segment of passage from the Bible, which says 'Peaceful meadows will be turned into a wasteland by the LORD's fierce anger.' which I felt seemed so at odds against the passive aggressive stance of the traditional Christ figure.
For the moment, the piese is finished-at least with my intention of submitting it for the Comicon exhibit. Wether the jury will balk at my depiction is anyone's guess, but it has legs beyond that forum anyway, and depending on how I look at the piece post Comicon, may demand a revisit with some additional props.
