I've Started a new piece

Mom wants something big. This is what I'm going to paint. Can I do it?

Who knows?

Stones

I have been enjoying various Abstract Expressionists and it is showing somewhat in my painting. I guess the impetus for this sort of "stones in a river" theme came from the view out of my window.

This first one started as a collage piece and I gradually added paint and inks. It is more subdued and I like it better. It was actually the second one so it's called...

Stones #2. Mixed media, collage, acrylics, ink on mat board. 23 x 18



This is one of the those pieces where I like parts of it and not others. I keep playing with some of the stones, particularly the bottom right and left and the top left. We'll see if I can ever get happy with the whole thing.

Stones #1. Acrylics on mat board and maybe some inks. 20 x 16

I'm not as prolific as I was

But then again I'm not depressed and manic anymore either. I'll keep the less productive and happier version of me. I'll also keep a certain person who's part of making me less productive but much happier.

I've been enjoying the abstract expressionist paintings of Joan Mitchell. I'm looking forward to seeing a couple of her things at the Corcoran and other museums in DC in a couple of weeks. I'm sure pictures don't do her work justice; there's just too much texture. So she's inspired me recently and here are a couple of examples.

The first is a fairly big canvas that happened pretty quickly. I doubt it's finished.

"Out of Control" Acrylics on canvas 24" x 30"

This next one has evolved. It's much closer to being finished and I like it better than "Out of Control". This is definitely one where 2d just doesn't show much.

"They Filled the Sky" Acrylics on canvas 24" x 18"

I've been busy

This first one is based on a Man Ray photo of Meret Oppenheim from 1933. The background is based on an old beat up Oriental rug I have. I'm not sure whether to leave Meret in just Conte pencils and charcoal or color her. What do you think?

Meret on a Rug. Charcoal, Conte pencils, acrylic on watercolor paper. Approximately 14" by 11"

This next one is pretty much a throwaway. I was looking for paper and found an old charcoal drawing I had done. I started to play with it and this is what happened. I find it interesting if flawed -- which it is.

Study in Blue and Green

Watercolor paper. Charcoal with acrylics. 9" x 12"

A couple of new paintings

Neither of these is finished (I think). On the right is a new one in a series influenced by Jean Dubuffet. The colors don't show up very well in the photo. I don't like it as much as the "Sunbather" but anyway...

"Black Sand Nude". Acrylics on matboard with NC sand. Approximately 17" x 11"

The bright one below is done with a new type of acrylic paint that makes blending much easier and more controlled. I'm still getting used to it. This one is definitely not finished.

"Red Hot Chili Peppers". Atelier Interactive acrylics on canvas. Approximately 16" x 12"