Studio Stuff

MD 29, 16" x 16", oil on wood

This is one of several things going on in the studio. This painting was sanded down and "ornamentated" into a surprisingly refined piece. I am reconfiguring small junk panels. I am reworking some of the earlier large shaped panels. I am considering a new context for the large shaped panels. What if they become "image generators" for various ongoing bodies of work? Some of these larger paintings have passages which could become, or inspire, a more simple "single statement" painting. What if the large panels are never completed, but rather evolve over time, giving me ideas, and directing paths of exploration. They would truly become both a practical and a metaphorical creator. The "ID" in the titles has always stood for "Intelligent Designer". It's all probably a little too resolved, too much of a plan, for my temperment. But I'll keep it in mind as a possible phantom framework in which to work.

Gabrielle Garland

I was delighted to find this new work by Gabrielle Garland. I love how she's making sensitive and sophisticated expressions with such a charming approach. Gabrielle lives in Chicago with her daughter and is finishing her BFA at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She is applying to MFA programs, and has been accepted to The University of Chicago.

See more of her work here.

Don Juan

I guess I'm finally processing the mid-1990s. The following is a true story with little or no exaggeration.

I returned from a Mexican vacation, and had a message from a male poet friend, inviting me to his poetry reading the following day. The reading was at Utrillo's Gallery on east 10th. This was in the original location near Rural St.

I go and wait. His ex-wife and child enter. Then several more women arrive, separately . Then a few more women arrive. The entire audience, of around 12 people, are all women in their 30s. It's very obvious this is a mix of past, current, future, and perhaps pending romantic interests (place me in the "past" category).

And...it's Valentine's Day.

I'm ready to laugh and state the obvious, but I have other issues arising (recent Mexico trip). My friend shows up, looks around the room, and begins his reading. I'm about to lose it in so many ways.

I don't want to detail my issues, other than to point out that the video camera taping this event was set up right outside the bathroom. The bathroom was practically in the room. And Montezuma did exact multiple revenges on me that evening. This was personally horrifying in an out-of-body way, but what can you do?

Later, I left a message for my friend congratulating him on his Valentine's Day coup. Of course, he had innocently invited everyone he knew, and he was just as stunned by the turnout as we all were.

May Flowers (1997)

Ha ha! I just rediscovered this image (curiously in my "cats" photo folder). Yep, it's a 'face scan' and I used it for my show invite card. "May Flowers " was exhibited at Utrillo's Gallery in 1997. There were about a dozen 10" x 8" paintings on board, display "floating" about an inch off the wall. It was a very sweet little show.


"Naive 2"

"Botero's Mum"

"Naive 3"


"Venus Craft Balls"

Fast fun paintings, reasonably priced and sold, good natured artin' all around.....oh, those were the days.

UPDATE: more of these paintings here.

Garden Juxt

cardinal, glass slag, snow, distance, crop

Studio - New Painting

58" x 48"

Okay, this one is done for the second time. It is the one that had the red cross and yellow background. I have a lot of thoughts regarding this one and may post more on that.

I'm very very happy I found my old polarizing sheets. I can now light these better, and use these sheets over the lights to remove glare. I have been very frustrated with my camera. It's just 6meg with a crappy lens, but being able to light and show color more accurately is crucial with these. Yippy!

Cabin Fever Jack-assery

Alan (on left) is getting Ricky into shape. Seriously, Ricky's shoulders have noticeably bulked up since Alan joined the group.

And yet I had to save Alan from this little runt today. Felix is half Alan's size.