Jeff Koons, ugghh!

To my art friends: Jeff Koons, who I consider the greatest con man/fraud of 21st century art (no matter what Stephen says), has laid claim to the rights to create dogs out of balloons. OMFG! Hey I wouldn't want anyone to steal my art either but I'm thinking that there were thousands of street artists creating balloon dogs, birds, horses, etc. ad nauseoum for a hundred years before Jeffie made millions doing it.

Just so Jeffie doesn't sue me, here's a link to one of his, ahem, dogs.

New piece continuing the use of cheesecloth to add texture

I've been playing with covering the painting substrate with cheesecloth from the grocery store.  It adds texture obviously but it also changes how you paint.  Some things are easier and others harder.  For example, instead of using a brush I might use paint straight from the tube or scrape it on with a plastic hotel "key".

Karen picked up some decorative wood wall hangings from Club Nova thrift shop in Carrboro.  I covered one with cheesecloth attached with gesso.  Started painting, added some copper, some black, some red and this face appeared.  For me that is often how it works (when it works).  No plan, just paint.

Watch Your Step.  Acrylics and oil pastel on wood covered with cheesecloth.  14 x 18

The (2nd) best Little Man

I'm continuing to try to duplicate (is that the correct word?) the little man in the larger painting (see here) and here is the best version so far.

Little Man #4.  Acrylic, oil stick on canvas covered with cheesecloth

Okay, so here's the wrapping paper piece....

Yesterday I started with an idea to make my own wrapping paper.  Some things worked, others didn't.  Some I just wrapped in failed art.  The collage below actually worked and is kinda fun.

Here's the front. It's made with a Man Ray photo, another photo from a WWII era English magazine I got from eBay (the badminton player) and then some cut outs from an Art Forum magazine.

Wrapping Paper Front. Collage. Maybe 6" x 6"

Here's the back which is not as good as the front.   This one is more cut outs from the Art Forum magazine along with a photo of mine -- the person in tennis shoes standing waiting for the subway in Boston.

Wrapping Paper Back. Collage. Maybe 6" x 6"

A good day

I never know whether I will ultimately like something I've just done.  But today, no matter what, I had a good day.  I did some collages as wrapping paper and also the two pieces below.  This first one was typical serendipity.   I found some lines and he appeared.  I'm not sure what happens with the background yet.

 Untitled.   Ink, acrylics, oil sticks on canvas.  18 x 24?

This one is based on old Indian (Southeast Asian) cave drawing.  He's supposed to be angry and menacing but I haven't gotten the expression yet.

Untitled.  Oil pastels on black sandpaper.