The octopus is beautiful and astounding- smart, crafty, devoted, able to change color and texture, 8-armed (prehensile means they’re not tentacles!), taste with their suction cups, squirt blinding ink, able to squeeze through the smallest spaces, the list goes on. Having been a long time inspiration, these fine undersea folks, full of wisdom and mystery, are finally getting their place in my bestiary.
New piece to be included in Creatures of the Deep, an exhibition at The Waterfront Museum in NYC opening next month. More info to come.
The Festival of Ideas swept through NYC this weekend. Strolled through it and caught up with friends exhibiting Saturday afternoon who shared some of the projects they’ve been working on. Lots of focus on the environment, sustainable living, and energy-mindfullness. Lots of eclectic art you’d expect to see too.
I have to say though, the piece that blew me away was Civilization, a video mural by Marc Brambilla. (I’m linking to a higher quality copy via The Standard Hotel in the West Village, which has it playing scaled down in the elevator). We walked in to St Patrick’s Church around 10:30 and were handed 3D glasses. The basilica had been transformed into a movie theater, pews filled with mouth-agape viewers, epic music framing the cycling film of Heaven, Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise. If you ever have a chance to see it in a similar environment, I highly recommend it.
Recently I was invited to paint a skateboard deck for Montana Skate Park‘s fund raising auction. Exhibiting at The Brink Gallery in Missoula, MT May 6-21st.
Here’s a look at my process for the piece.
First things first- I iron out the image with lots of sketching. Here’s the defined but still loose design.
Also on hand is some reference- heart and fire pictures. It’s important to have a light relationship with reference so that it helps the image become what it needs to be, assisting but allowing the work to become what it needs to be. Ok, time to throw down the paint!
Blocking in the heart, the fire, and leaving some room for the dagger. The great thing about oils is that they allow for the image to be worked up and wiped away as needed.
Starting to feel the burn as the flames sweep across the heart…
Decide to switch the burn to the left side so that there’s a more of a twirl and the flames can burst on the right…
Further refining of tone and texture…
Adding the dagger and further exploring surface. Creating metal is all about reflection…
Adding the pool of blood…
Dagger tip, ripples, and it all comes together!
